For Catholics, November is traditionally the month of the dead. The month begins with the feast of All Saints in which we recognize that ordinary people are called to heaven and to be saints. November 2 is the feast of All Souls. On November 2, we remember that no one is without sin and that all people need God’s mercy to enter heaven. Even saints are sinners. And sinners are called to be saints.

After all Masses on November 2, we will go to the cemetery for prayers for the dead. Because of our All Souls day prayers, we will not have the Lourdes novena devotions on November 2.

We Catholics believe in the communion of saints, that the ties that bind us to one another in this world do not come apart because of death. Because we are all one in Christ, we are in communion with one another even beyond death. The dead love us and pray for us and we love the dead and pray for them.

In the Song of Songs, we read “For stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire”. Our prayer for the dead attest to our belief that death does not overcome love.

Feast of All Saints. This Tuesday, November 1 is the feast of All Saints, a Holy Day of obligation. Please check the bulleting for Mass times. Saint John’s has a long history of celebrating Holy Day Masses for parishioners and center city workers. Please plan on attending Mass on November 1.

Young Adult Outreach. All young adults, people in their 20s and 30s, are invited to Mass at 6 PM next Sunday, October 30, followed by a Halloween inspired gathering. We are calling it our Post Mass Bash. We will offer dinner and drinks. There is no charge for attending. Donations will be accepted.

Installation Mass I will be installed as pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Church at the 10:30AM Mass on Sunday, November 13. Bishop Timothy Senior will preside and officiate at the installation. If possible, please try to attend the installation Mass.

Saint John Poor Box. We sent a $10,761 check this week to the Catholic Charities collection, representing our second collection a few weeks ago plus a donation from the Saint John Church Poor Box. Through our Poor Box we occasionally help individuals in need and we support local programs and agencies that help poor and homeless persons in our neighborhood.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Summary Report on Synod listening sessions. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia published this week its summary of the listening sessions held throughout the Archdiocese (including Saint John’s Church) in preparation for the Synod on Synodality. To read the summary, check out this address: https://archphila.org/synodality-summary/

Capuchin Vocations. Perhaps God is calling you to religious life. The Capuchin Formation Program for the Province of St. Augustine will hold a retreat on the weekend of November 11-13, 2022 for young men who are entering college or thinking about transferring colleges. Come explore Borromeo Seminary and John Carroll University while spending the weekend in Cleveland, OH. There is no cost to attend and transportation may be provided if you need. Please contact Fr. Rafa at 267-838-3806 or email him here.

Christ in the City. Christ in the City is a young adult Catholic missionary program whose members reach out to and befriend homeless persons in our neighborhood. They offer” Street Ministry Training” for people who would like to know how to have a meaningful encounter with homeless persons. The training is offered on November 12 from 10 AM – 1 PM. For information email Emma below: