Mass Schedule for All Saints Day Saturday, November 1 (Not a Holy Day of Obligation)

9 AM and 12 PM Noon

     Each year, when the dual Feasts of “All Saints” and “All Souls” come up, I need to check: which one comes first?  And each year, I am reminded that “All Saints” is on November 1st, while “All Souls” is on the 2nd.

     And, each year, I think that order is wrong! This must be a mental block for me.  I always imagine these two feasts as a progression in each of our own journeys through life. All of us are called to holiness, and are invited by Jesus, through His death and Resurrection, to be enrolled among the saints in Heaven.

     As we leave our human pilgrimage on earth, we will become one of those sacred souls awaiting entry into Heaven, likely spending some time in Purgatory. Then, we enter fully and forever into Eternal Life. That view sees the progression selfishly for me – my hoped-for progression ending up in Heaven!

     But I think the order presented by the Church is also a promise that is filled with examples and heroic models.  All Saints, which we celebrate this year on Saturday, November 1st, offers us the chance to meditate on the heroism of those declared to be saints by the Church.  We look to our own patron saints – for me Saints James, Joseph and Christopher – and others recognized by the Church as role models.  In a sense, they also pray with us for our loved ones who have departed this world, and await Eternal Life. Our prayers are linked with the Saints in Heaven in offering prayers for those who will be welcomed into Heaven as they complete their sanctification.

     The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1475) teaches us, “In the Communion of Saints, “a perennial link of charity [love] exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things. In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others…”

     When we think of this, it is good that we celebrate our communion with the Saints first, as along with them we pray together for the souls of those awaiting entrance into Heaven. With the Saints offering prayers of love, we on earth pray for our brothers and sisters who await Heaven. May we always offer our prayers for them, as we count on the promise of Heaven from Jesus, and one day, their eternal prayers will lift us into the beatific vision of God’s perfect love.

- Father Jim

Hospice Care Information

Faith at Home

These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa. 

May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.

Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need.   Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313.  Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org

Local food pantries include:

                  St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.

                  First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown

                  Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown

Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053

SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your

request.  You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians.  We are so very grateful for your

generous ongoing donations.

Our Promise to Protect

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.  The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.

The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency.  The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.

ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS

please click on the corresponding hyperlinks below