The Philosophy Club will meet Sunday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level. Please join the interesting discussion which will be based on the question, What is the relationship between language, culture, and reality?

If you need more incentive, here is the warm-up problem:

As a favor I am going to write the truth. Consider it an early Christmas present. Use it to save the world, impress your friends or whatever you like. Here it is:

The statement below this is true.

The claim above this is false.

I guess I answered the question for our next gathering too. Right?

For more information, contact Matt Starnowski.

The parish will again participate with the Salvation Army to provide a Christmas basket and gifts for families in our community.

The Angel Tree has been placed in the Commons and decorated with gift tags and turkey envelopes. This is your opportunity to take a gift tag or a turkey (donation) envelope and share your bounty with those who are less fortunate.

On December 15, we will distribute your donated gifts, a Christmas food basket, and a Turkey to each of the families that we have "adopted". Thank you in advance for your generous support of this very worthy effort.

November 25th is the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Readings:

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Psalm 122:1-5
Colossians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43

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

There is no 8:00 a.m. mass on Thanksgiving, November 22nd. St. Thomas Aquinas will have a 9:30 a.m. mass on Thanksgiving.

Also, the parish office will be closed on Thanksgiving and Friday, November 23rd.

Father Tom DiLorenzo will lead a Life in the Spirit Seminar on November 30th and December 1st at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. The seminar will begin with the 5:15 p.m. mass on Friday followed by a light soup supper. On Friday eventing, the seminar will conclude at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, the seminar will begin with the 8:30 a.m. mass and end at 4:00 p.m. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. A five dollar donation is suggested in order to cover the cost of the food.

November 18th is the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

Malachi 3:19-20
Psalm 98:5-9
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19

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

November 11th is the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
Psalm 17:1,5-6,8,15
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Luke 20:27-38

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

On Wednesday, November 14th, the St. Anselm Institute will present a lecture entitled God and Nature in Natural Law presented by Mark Murphy. The lecture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Monroe Hall, Room 110, on grounds at the University.

Mark Murphy is Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. His research interests include moral, political, and legal philosophy and the history of early modern philosophy. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and several books, including Natural Law and Practical Rationality, An Essay on Divine Authority, and, most recently, Philosophy of Law. (From the St. Anselm Institute)

This is the second in a series of lectures to be hosted by the St. Anselm Institute during the 2007-2008 academic year. For more information, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

On this day in 1789, Fr. John Carroll was appointed by Pope Pius VI to be the bishop of Baltimore. In the pontical brief Ex hac apostolicae, the Holy Father created the first diocese of the United States and appointed John Carroll to be the country's first bishop. The diocese was raised to be an archdiocese in 1808. He served as the archbishop until his death on December 3, 1815.

For more information, view the article in the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia and the article on the Archdiocese of Baltimore Web site.

Our bishop, the Most Reverand Francis DiLorenzo, along with the bishop of Arlington, the Most Reverand Paul Loverde have issued a document entitled Voting as Followers of Christ. The purpose of the document is to highlight the election resources which are available and to instruct the faithful on their obligation to participate by voting from a moral framework which is consistent with the teaching of the Church.

On Tuesday, November 6th, citizens of our Commonwealth will determine all 140 members of the General Assembly. In addition, many elections for local offices will be decided on Tuesday. To assist us in voting as followers of Christ, the two dioceses have provided voting resources. One of these resources is based on a 16 part questionnaire that was provided to all candidates for seats in the General Assembly. The answers from the candidates who responded to the questionnaire are provided in the resources.
Click here for more information.

To find out what your House and Senate districts are, click here.

November 4th is the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings:

Wisdom 11:22-12
1 Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14
2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Luke 19:1-10

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Benedict XVI, Address before Angelus on November 4, 2007 (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Our minister of music is looking for brass, woodwind, and string instrument musicians who would be able to play at the Feast of Christ the King Mass on November 25th and the Christmas Mass. For more information contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org.

The Philosophy Club will have its next meeting on Sunday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m. The topic will be How does a Philosopher Search? The suggested readings are Euthyphro and Apology by Plato. Click here for a free copy of both readings. Note, the readings are only suggested; it is not necessary to have read them in order to be able to participate in the discussion.

Pizza and drinks will be provided. For more information, click here to view a flier with a synopsis of the last meeting and more information about the next meeting on Sunday. You can also contact Matt Starnowski for more information.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General: That those dedicated to medical research and all those engaged in legislative activity may always have deep respect for human life, from its beginning to its natural conclusion.

Mission: That in the Korean Peninsula the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the children who are now scheduled to be aborted may be protected.