FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK                                    

By Fr. Terry Kerner

      With all the necessary conversation about the coming election it is easy to overlook some important parish activities and events coming up. Though All Souls Day falls on Wednesday, November second we will be celebrating our annual parish Memorial Mass on Saturday, October 29th at the 4:00 pm Mass. We like to always have the Memorial at a weekend mass when many can attend. All who have lost loved ones since last All Saints Day are invited to attend and participate. Please keep in your prayer all our parish members who have died this past year.

      November is the customary month for remembering the deceased of our families. The Book of Remembrance will be available during the month to record the names of deceased family and friends. A person can do this starting with the holy day Noon or 5:30 pm All Saints Masses on Tuesday, November first. The Gift Shop also has available outdoor cemetery and indoor memorial candles for your convenience.

      Of course, Tuesday, November 8th is that all important Election Day. Good Catholics are also called to be good citizens who take the privilege of voting seriously. As we have done in past years, Saint Kateri church will be open for private prayer from when the polls open at 7:00 am until they close at 8pm. Our usual Perpetual Help novena and Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 pm.

      Our very popular Harvest Dinner resumes this year on November twelfth! Doors open after the 5:00 pm Mass and all are invited. Tickets are required and are available at both the Gift Shop and Parish Office for $25.00. Newcomers to the parish should know that the ticket price includes beer and wine and a turkey dinner with all the fixings. I think you will enjoy it.

      Beginning that weekend St. Kateri will host a three week-long exhibition of Sacred Art portraying Black American Catholics on the road to sainthood. The over sixty pieces of art are accomplishments of African American artists portraying the journeys of faith travelled by their subjects. Lectures celebrating the talents and history of these artists will be given at Noon on Sunday, November 13th by Vicki Figueroa of the Archdiocese and Fr. Henry Sands who will speak the following Sunday also at Noon. The talks and exhibit are open to the public and there is no charge.

      And finally on Sunday, November 27th at 3:00 pm Bishop Battersby will be here at St. Kateri to celebrate the Commissioning of the Priests and Directors of our newly formed Family of Parishes. Parishioners from all four parishes are invited to attend. Look for more information in the weeks ahead.

Now, isn’t that enough to keep your mind off of Lion’s football!!