Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” – 1 Corinthians 15:19

Inserted in this weekend’s bulletin is To Rise With Christ – Regarding the Burial of the Deceased and the Conservation of the Ashes in the Case of Cremation. It is always good for us to remind ourselves what we believe and why. After all, each of us will one day pass through the door of death.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Don’t miss Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, a concert by the Columbia Choral Society together with the Aiken Civic Orchestra on All Souls Day, November 2 at 7pm in the church. Tickets are $20 (all students are free) and available at the parish office or at the door on the night of the concert.

While Halloween gets a lot of secular attention, the real celebration is not about witches, devils, and zombies, but about Saints – the inspiring men and women who lived holy lives for Jesus Christ and now live forever in Him. “Halloween” comes from older English meaning the night before – or Eve – of All Hallows Day – or All Saints Day. (Think “hallowed ground,” meaning “holy ground,” and “hallowed be thy name,” i.e., “holy is your name.”)

St. Teresa of Avila: “I do not remember that I ever asked [St. Joseph] at any time for anything which he did not obtain for me. It fills me with amazement when I consider the numberless graces which God has granted me through the intercession of this blessed saint, and the perils, both body and soul, from which he has delivered me.”

To think about: St. Theresa was very close to Our Lord, even to have ecstasies. And yet she also went to Joseph for help. You are in good company when you go to Joseph for his intercession.

Venerable Pope Pius XII: “Grant that we may not lose sight of Jesus, who busied himself with you at your carpenter’s bench.”

To ponder: St. Joseph taught Jesus his trade when Jesus was a child. Think about Joseph working in his workshop – cutting wood or carving in stone – all the while teaching Jesus, letting Jesus do some work as he grew older, encouraging him as he learned, correcting his workmanship, and keeping track of him when he went wandering. How do we interact with our children or those we work with? Do we accept correction humbly? Ask Saint Joseph to help us be patient with others as we work with them and with those who are helping us improve.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For a few years now, one of our parishioners, Alejandro(Alex) Leguizamon, has been participating in our diocesandiaconate training program. A couple of weeks ago, hepassed one of the milestones in his training and was officiallyinstalled as an Acolyte in the Church. Soon, you will beseeing Alex at various Masses, mostly acting as lector andhelping in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.Acolytes are sort of the “top-level” of extraordinaryministers, being the only extraordinary ones officiallyinstalled for the universal Church. (All other EM’s are onlycommissioned in individual parishes.)

Pope Benedict XVI: “Like Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.”

To think about: Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus. As we imitate Joseph, we will become closer to Mary. Think about the relationship between Mary and Joseph, and some of the conversations they might have had, and how that relationship might have changed over the years.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we begin Respect Life Month, here are some thoughts for us to ponder. Life is such a miracle! Give thanks to God, who holds all things in existence, for your existence – for your life. Every child conceived is loved first by Him. – Father Wilson

Pope Pius XI: “In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, [St. Joseph] left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands.”

To think about: We all have manual labor to do as part of life, either at our job or at home. Sometimes we don’t appreciate how we serve God even when we are doing yard work, housework, and such. From the beginning God gave man work, to “till and keep” the garden. Do we perform our manual labor to glorify God as we work? Do we appreciate the importance of our work?

Pope Pius XI: “In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, [St. Joseph] left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands.”

To think about: We all have manual labor to do as part of life, either at our job or at home. Sometimes we don’t appreciate how we serve God even when we are doing yard work, housework, and such. From the beginning God gave man work, to ‘till and keep’ the garden. Do we perform our manual labor to glorify God as we work? Do we appreciate the importance of our work?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Milo, Sparky, Precious, and Champ need blessings, too. Even horses, llamas, iguanas, and geckos. All animals of every species are welcome to our annual Blessing of the Animals this year on Saturday, October 2 at 10:00am on the rectory lawn (corner of Park Ave. and York St. next to Old St. Mary’s). (The blessing occurs annually on or near the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.)

St. Leonard of Port Maurice: “All Christians belong to Joseph because Jesus and Mary belonged to him.”

To think about: All believers are part of the body of Christ, which would make Joseph our caretaker. Joseph was diligent in caring for Mary and for Jesus, and he will be diligent in caring for us, too

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the many things I was able to pray about on my recent retreat was how truly blessed I am to be here at St. Mary’s among such faith-filled, wonderful people. As promised, I prayed for you every day and specifically offered Masses for you and for your intentions over the thirty days. As many of you have expressed your thanks at my return, know that I return that gratitude and love to you all – the infinite, healing love the Sacred Heart of Jesus offers each of us. I realize what a true privilege it is to be able to be away for a full thirty days for such a retreat. This was due to the generosity of many others that made it possible. I’m extremely grateful to Fr. Francisco, Msgr. Willie, our deacons, and our dedicated staff for “holding down the fort” while I was away. To all who helped – thank you from the bottom of my heart!

St. Peter Julian Eymard: “We may well call St. Joseph the martyr of the hidden life.”

To think about: St. Joseph doesn’t say anything in scripture, and nothing is mentioned about him except in relation to Jesus or Mary. He had a “hidden life.” Sometimes we may feel like no one listens to us, or even cares about us, unless it affects the other person. Go to Joseph! He can give you strength!

Dear St. Mary’s family,

This is the 24th Sunday in ordinary time and on Tuesday, we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to honor the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

The Story of this liturgical Feast:

Early in the fourth century, Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She demolished the 2nd century Temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Savior’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher on that same spot. During the excavation, workers found three crosses. Legend has it that the one on which Jesus died was identified when its touch healed a dying woman.

The cross immediately became for all believers an object of veneration. At a Good Friday celebration in Jerusalem toward the end of the 4th century, according to an eyewitness, the wood was taken out of its silver container and placed on a table: Then, “all the people pass through one by one; all of them bow down, touching the cross, first with their foreheads, then with their eyes; and, after kissing the cross, they move on.”

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade: “Just as [St. Joseph] led the Son of God in his travels, may he be your guide on the voyage of this life until you arrive at the haven of eternal happiness.”

To think about: Man’s life is often described as a voyage; scripture calls us ‘strangers and sojourners’ on earth, on our way to Promised Land / Heaven (1 Chron 29:15; 1 Peter 2:11). Joseph led Jesus to Jerusalem several times, plus to Egypt, all quietly and cautiously. He can lead us to Christ on our journey now. Get to know Joseph!