All Saints Parish Homilies and News

This meaningful prayer (below) was sent to me from a Jesuit priest who is a friend of our family:   Not because our tables are full Lord of all, We look up to you and give thanks, Not because our tables are full, Our harvests are robust, Or our homes resound with laughter and joy. Though these things may indeed be true, Too often we have looked upon want, We see times of dryness, And lives of loneliness and despair. Even then, we thank you nonetheless, Because, it is in times such as these, That we see hands that share, We see feet that walk in solidarity with the outcast, We see arms that open up to embrace the broken hearted, And, we see the sinner weep to know of your forgiveness. And, whatever the joys and comforts of our homes, great and small, It is in the blessings of these times that our cup truly overflows. And so, we bless you and thank you not because our tables are full,     But, because our hearts are,          Because your love ...

Pope Francis arrived in Bahrain Pope Francis arrived to celebrate Mass at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, Bahrain, Saturday, November 5, 2022. Pope Francis  made the November 3-6 visit to participate in a government-sponsored conference on East-West dialogue and to minister to Bahrain's tiny Catholic community, part of his effort to pursue dialogue with the Muslim world. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alessandra Tarantino] The papal plane touched down in Awali, as Pope Francis arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain for his 39th Apostolic Journey abroad. By Benedict Mayaki Pope Francis’ 39th Apostolic Journey abroad kicked off with the arrival of the papal plane at the Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain's central city of Awali at about 16:36 pm (GMT +3). After his welcome at the airport, the Pope’s first official visit was a courtesy visit to the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at the Sakhir Royal Palace. The Holy Father then met with local authorities, repr...

This is not just an ordinary essay, because Father Santora seems to hide salient message in his narrative. Journalism 101, "Do not bury your lead".  Read on..... Lessons learned from 40 years in the priesthood | Fait h Matters Opinion echo published by Father Alexander Santora published in NewJersey.com ( The New Jersey Journal ):  Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the fifth-largest cathedral in  North America ,  in Newark, New Jersey. The Sisters of Charity educated my mother, Grace, at St. Bridget’s, Jersey City, and impacted her life. Those same sisters expelled me from kindergarten at St. Joseph’s, Jersey City, and changed my life. After sitting out that year, I enrolled in Holy Rosary School, down the hill in Jersey City, and found heaven on earth. The Religious Teachers Filippini and the four Italian-American priests sustained a little Italian village at Sixth, Seventh and Brunswick streets. In fact, that overall area was known as “The Village.” From seco...

In the Roman Catholic tradition, October is a Marian month because she is honored for her intercession as Our Lady of the Victories * . October is also commonly known by most Roman Catholics as the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary ** Echo essay by Aleksandar Mishkov published on line at DocumentaryTube.com. Our Lady of Victory Mary, or the Virgin Mary, or Saint Mary is one of the most controversial woman in the history of religion. In the New Testament, Mary is the mother of Jesus. She was an ordinary Jewish woman of Nazareth, and she was impregnated by God in a sinless way. Protestants believe she was not sinless, while Catholics and Orthodox Christians honor her virginity. She is known also as Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Mary and Virgin Mary. Here are some interesting facts you need to know about the woman. Infant Jesus of Prague alter shrine in the Our Lady of Victories church in Prague Czechoslovakia.  (Kostel Panny Marie Vítězné, also referred as the Shrine of the Infa...

Nuns play surprising role in training therapy dogs to help school kids reported in Aleteia .  This story involving religious sisters, cute pups, and school children couldn't be any sweeter. A community in Baton Rouge is benefiting from the dedication and skills of some animal-loving religious sisters . As part of their mission, the Mercedarian Sisters * of the Blessed Sacrament spend time at the local school, Sacred Heart of Jesus , spreading joy and faith. Recently, Sr. Ashley Refugio was seen on the basketball courts showing some pretty nifty skills. Then a few days later the sisters returned with a little furry friend, named Gia. In fact, the 8-month-old Bernedoodle was trained by the sisters as a therapy dog. So, at recess and in class, the young pup can offer some comfort and joy to children in need. Taking Gia, whose name means “gift from God,” to the school also allows children to learn more about animals in a controlled and safe environment. This playful pup is not the fir...

  Maine Mall, South Portland Ceremonies to open the Flags for Heroes exhibit will be held at 12:30 PM, on Friday, September 9, 2022, at the Center Court in the Maine Mall. Chaplain Dwayne Hopkins and singer Nanette Ranger will participate with Rotarians in the opening program. Father Steve Concannon celebrant of the White Mass for caregivers.

Pope apologizes for ‘catastrophic’ school policy in Canada https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgzGpHHSGWKBbbNRwKZChxbkhHNNv By David Carey, Religion Team Leader, Associated Press   Pope Francis in Maskwacis , in Alberta (AP) Canada Pope Francis delivered a historic apology this week to Indigenous peoples for the abuses suffered at the hands of Catholic missionaries in Canada’s church-run residential schools.  In fact, the Associated Press provided wall-to-wall coverage of this consequential papal trip on Canadian soil.  Alongside top notch visual crews and an assist from Canadian bureau chief Rob Gillies, the religion team’s Peter Smith and AP Vatican expert, Nicole Winfield, were on the ground to document the pope’s arrival in Edmonton , Alberta, and his monumental request for forgiveness at the site of a former residential school. But the religion team’s work began before the papal plane touched down on Sunday. In anticipation of the pope’s arrival, Smith and...