November 2014
all saints

W.P. Wittman photo

As Catholics we also believe in the 'Communion of Saints.' We proclaim this when we pray the Creed each Sunday at Mass. The Communion of Saints refers to the family of God. We are all called to be saints. We are all called to live the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ daily in our lives. We are also called to recognize the holiness in others. In this sense the Communion of Saints refers to members of the Church because we have been baptized into Christ. The term Communion of Saints also refers to those who have died; this proclaims our belief that death does not separate us from those who have gone before us into the afterlife.

We celebrate our belief in the Communion of Saints at every Mass. There is a story about a pastor of a church in a very small village. When asked how many people came to Mass at his church on Sunday, he responded that "there were thousands -- those living and all those who had died!" In every Eucharistic prayer we remember all our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest and we ask to share eternal life with Mary and all the saints throughout the ages.

May you feel the presence of God and the holy Saints this month as we pause to remember friends and family members who are no longer with us.

Blessings, Heidi Busse

Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer
by Harry Jewell

thanksgiving

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
the freedom to enjoy it all
and all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
we pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
Amen.

Six Fun Saints
By Thomas J. Craughwell

cleaning

Shutterstock photo

A Patron Saint of the Internet
St. Isidore of Seville died in 636, so he never surfed the web, had a Facebook account, or downloaded tunes to his iPod. But he did compile a 30-volume encyclopedia of the all the knowledge of his time. In the 1990s, when Catholic webmasters were looking for their own saint, they heard about Isidore�s encyclopedia, thought it sounded like the world�s first database, and proclaimed St. Isidore the patron saint of the Internet!
Pray to St. Isidore for help with quick and easy web searches.

A Patron Saint for Keeping Your Room Clean
So you hate to clean your room? Imagine having to clean a whole palace�for 48 years. And not just clean, but cook, watch the children, and put up with your boss�s temper tantrums. Whenever St. Zita felt like she could not possibly wash one more window or dust one more piece of furniture, she imagined she was doing her work for God, and suddenly the housework wasn�t so boring any more.
Pray to St. Zita for the energy and patience to help with chores.

Find all the six saints here.

Lapsed Catholics weigh in on why they left Church
Illinois survey offers a glimpse at 'exit interview' for fallen-away adult Catholics in Springfield Diocese.
By Mark Gray

adult Catholics

CNS photo

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University estimates that there are currently approximately 32 million adults in the United States who were raised Catholic but have ceased to identify themselves as a member of the Church. A recent survey of lapsed and former Catholics in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, conducted by researchers at Benedictine University, offers new insights into why some Catholics stop attending Mass or leave the faith all together.

In their report �Joy and Grievance in an American Diocese,� the researchers indicate they targeted �those who had lapsed or drifted from the Church and are currently inactive in a diocesan parish.� The study also includes a survey of active Catholics for comparison.

Read the rest of this article from OSV Newsweekly

Featured items

An Advent Pilgrimage: Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus

Just released: Archbishop J. Peter Sartain invites us to take an Advent trip with him, a journey that starts in our hearts, and ends at the humble manger. These brief reflections open our minds to how we can best prepare our hearts for Jesus.
Paperback, just $1 each

Prepare the Way for the Lord: A Family Advent Guide

New for 2014! For each week, families can follow along as they read Scripture, light the Advent wreath candle and say a simple prayer, and join in a fun or thought-provoking family activity.
Order now
Also in Spanish

Advent Bulletin Inserts: Horizon of Hope

New for 2014: This four-week resource is an easy-to-read overview of the season of Advent, with a focus on Pope Francis, prayer, family, and personal reflection.
Order now! 4 themes-50 of each theme, $47.80
Also available in Spanish

November 1 - All Saints
November 2 - All Souls
November 7 - Our Lady of the Rosary
November 13 - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
November 22 - St. Cecilia
November 23 - Christ the King
More about these saints and feasts

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