Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today

Jesus wanted to be a guest at the chief tax collector’s house. Listening to today’s passage of the Gospel we may be sure that the Lord would like to come to our hearts today and to be accepted with a great love. Each Eucharist is an opportunity for such a special visit of the Lord.

In the month of November, the Church calls upon the faithful throughout the world to remember in a special way the deceased. We know that during each Mass the priest prays in the Eucharistic prayer for our departed brothers and sisters using these or similar words: Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy (Second Eucharistic Prayer). Also Masses in our churches are often offered for them. This prayer for the departed expresses our faith in the resurrection, our hope for eternal life and our love for those who have completed their earthly pilgrimage. In our church we are providing a Book of Life where we may write down the names of our deceased loved ones for whom we wish to pray. On Saturday, November 16th, at 10 am there will be celebrated a special Mass for those whose names are written in the Book. Please, use the book to commend your deceased relatives and friends to the prayer of the Church.

This Saturday, November 9th, we observe the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica that is the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Let us keep the Holy Father in our prayers so that he may shepherd the people of God as the Good Shepherd commended.

This week our RCIA course shall begin and the adult candidates for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation will start their faith journey and receive the Sacraments at the proper time. We surround them with our prayers.

God bless,
Fr. Peter