October 28st is the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34:2-3,17-19, 23
2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Francis Arinze, is using the latest technology to spread the Gospel. On the Cardinal Arinze Webcast site, you will find podcasts and videocasts in which the Cardinal teaches the Faith.

A recent article in Zenit described this apostolate.

The Cardinal Arinze Webcast aims to clarify Church teaching. It is produced by the Ohio-based Apostolate for Family Consecration, founded by Jerome Coniker and his wife, Gwen. Gwen's cause for beatification is now being considered.

The site explains: "Just when you'd think the confusion surrounding religion, God or truth is at its highest, we are helped by technology to plug directly into the Vatican where, in a webcast, Cardinal Arinze will tell you just what the Catholic Church really is about and what her true message is on living a joyful and fulfilling life."

Using both podcasting, which is audible, and webcasting, which includes video footage, the 74-year-old cardinal discusses such topics as theology of the body, Benedict XVI's encyclical "Deus Caritas Est," the Second Vatican Council, family, and the liturgy.

On Friday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas parish will host a Flute and Harp Concert. Admission is free. This concert is part of the concert series which also includes:

• An Evening of Thanksgiving (Choral Concert and Hymn Sing), Friday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m.


• Joy and Light, Saturday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m.


• Young Artists Recital, Friday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m.


• Piano Recital -- Florence Simons, Saturday, February 9th

For more information, contact Brian Sousa by calling 293-8081 x15 or via email at music@stauva.org.

October 21st is the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

The bulletin for October 21, 2007 is now available. Click here to view it.

If you would like to receive the parish bulletin via email, click here.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of John Paul II's apostolic letter, Divini Amoris Scientia in which he declared that St. Therese of Lisieux is a Doctor of the Church. The text of the apostolic letter can be read by clicking here.

For a complete list of the doctors of the Church, click here.

October 14th is the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 98:1-4
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

The bulletin for October 14, 2007 is now available. Click here to view it.

If you would like to receive the parish bulletin via email, click here.

Don't forget that there will be an opportunity after the 11:00 a.m. mass on Sunday, October 14th to meet our new music minister, Bill Polhill. Refreshments will be served in the Commons following the mass. In addition to Bill, some of the members of the choir will be available to speak with anyone who would like to share their gifts as members of the choir, cantors, or instrumentalists.

This coming weekend, October 12th and 13th, the 12th annual Rosary Congress will be held at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond. This event which is hosted by the Benedictine monks of the abbey will have the theme, "The Renewal of the Family and Religious Life". On Friday, mass will be at 7:00 p.m., and it will be followed by the Rosary and all night adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Saturday will begin with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. followed by guest speakers throughout the morning and afternoon. Mass will be at 11:15 a.m., and at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Eucharistic procession. Admission is free.

Click here for the full schedule. Call (804) 360-2359 or (804) 784-3509 for more information. Call by October 9th for room and meal reservations.

October 7th is the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

Habakkuk 1:2-3;2:2-4
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14
Luke 17:5-10

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

The bulletin for October 7, 2007 is now available. Click here to view it.

If you would like to receive the parish bulletin via email, click here.

Today is the optional memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska who was the first saint canonized in the new millennium. She was raised to the altar on April 30, 2000 by her fellow Pole the Servant of God John Paul II.

St. Faustina is well-known for her spreading the message of God's Divine Mercy. She was compelled to tell about Divine Mercy through the messages from our Lord that she received in the many visions she had throughout her life.

Although God's Divine Mercy is not a new teaching, St. Faustina declared to the modern world the ancient and beautiful message that God has a deep love for every person He has created, especially sinners.

"I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and to sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept My grace. The greatest sinners would achieve great sanctity, if only they would trust in My mercy". (Diary, 1784)

"The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My
mercy". (Diary, 723)

This message of Divine Mercy is found throughout her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, in the image of Jesus that she was called to have painted, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

During her canonization, another part of her message of Divine Mercy was fulfilled. The Holy Father declared that for the Universal Church the second Sunday of Easter was to be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that "throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come."

For more information on St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy visit The Divine Mercy.

Today is the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, who is one of the most recognized of all of the saints. He has an almost universal appeal that touches the hearts of people regardless of whether they are Catholic or not, or even have any religious affiliation at all. Among many things, he is known for his deep devotion to our Lord, his call to religious life, his founding of the Franciscan Order, his love of nature, his life of poverty, several of his well-known prayers, and for receiving the stigmata. For more information on St. Francis, click here.

Based on St. Francis' love of creation, one of the traditions surrounding this saint is the blessing of animals and, in particular, pets. On Saturday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m., there will be a blessing of the pets. Contact Teresa Ritzert for more information.

Not long before his death, St. Francis penned the "Canticle of the Sun" which is a hymn that praises God and the glories of His creation.

Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour And all blessing.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy To pronounce your name.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made, And first my lord Brother Sun, Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him.

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods, By which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, Through whom you brighten up the night. How beautiful is he, how gay! Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces Various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon. For love of you; through those who endure Sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace, By you, Most High, they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, From whose embrace no mortal can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those She finds doing your will! The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, And serve him with great humility.

The first meeting of the Philosophy Club will be Sunday, October 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room. The topic for discussion will be Why Philosophy? You are invited to come share your thoughts and insights with others as you ponder this question and discover to what other questions it leads. Pizza will be served; donations to off-set its cost are appreciated. Contact Matt Starnowski for more information.

Our new Minister of Music William "Bill" Polhill, III will begin his ministry this weekend. A previous post provided some introductory information about him.

To get to know him in person, please come to a reception for Bill on Sunday, October 14th after the 11:00 a.m. mass. In addition to Bill, choir members will also be available to talk to any potential choir members, cantors and instrumentalists who are interested in joining the music ministry. Refreshments will be served.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General: That Christians who are in minority situations may have strength and courage to live their faith and persevere in bearing witness to it.

Mission: That World Missionary Day may kindle a greater missionary awareness in every baptized person.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That parish pro-life organizations may grow in numbers and effectiveness.