Normally, we would mark today as the 31st Sunday of the year. But this year, the great Feast of All Saints takes precedence over the readings of Ordinary Time, because it is a celebration of such importance in the Church year. On this day, we are reminded of our calling, our destiny to be with God in the kingdom of heaven forever. The readings of the day remind us that the saints of God are a mysterious lot. They are not to be found in any one place. They are not just Catholics. Some are Protestants and Jews, and who knows what else? They are not all of a special personality type. The saints of God come in all shapes and sizes, colors, ages, languages, personalities, etc. They are our parents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors. The poor in spirit, the sorrowing, the lowly - they are the saints of God. Those who hunger and thirst for holiness are God's own. The merciful, the single-hearted, the peacemakers, and the persecuted belong to the Lord. When we endure any kind of suffering for the love of the Lord, then even we are among the blessed. Today, think of those holy people the Lord has placed in your life. They are his special gift to us and to his Church. And lastly, don't forget that you too are his gift - to your family, to your community, and to the Church.

Monday, November 2nd, is the Feast of All Souls. It is a day of special remembrance and prayer for our brothers and sisters who have died and are not yet in the full presence of God our Father. An extra Mass will be celebrated at 7PM, for the Holy Souls and especially for all who were buried from St. Hilary this past year. Everyone is welcome to join us. Special envelopes are available from the ushers. Please include the names of all those you would like remembered during the Masses of All Souls Day and throughout the month of November. We will keep these envelopes on the altar as a reminder to pray for our deceased during in the month of November.

Fr. Eddy