“We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” (1 Thess. 1:2-5) A number of years ago, I remember the Archbishop calling all priests to a Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at St. Louis Cathedral. And the way he did it was so succinctly Trinitarian. He asked us to “come let us pray with Our Lord Jesus to the Father that He will send the Holy Spirit down upon us.” I remember hearing it and having a new and different … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2026
From the Pastor – October 11, 2026
“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” (Is. 25:6) It’s interesting how many times Sacred Scriptures describe Heaven in terms of food and drink. The “promised land” was a place flowing with “milk and honey.” Alternatively, Isaiah describes a “mountain” with “rich food and pure, choice wines.” For people living in an arid place, the idea of abundant food and drink was very appealing, especially in times of famine. But Jesus takes the analogy even further by describing a wedding banquet, something that was by far the most joyous occasions in the life of a Jew. If you think today’s wedding receptions are “over-the-top,” think again. Jewish weddings were marked by an eight day party … [Read more...]
Pope St, John Paul II
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 is the first time that the Church throughout the world will celebrate the Feast Day of Pope St. John Paul II. Pope St. John Paul II, also known as Saint John Paul the Great, was Pope from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878. Born in Poland, John Paul II is credited as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. One of the most traveled world leaders in history, John Paul II visited 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his … [Read more...]
The Orans Posture
The Latin word “orans” is translated as “one who is praying.” The “orans posture” is praying while lifting up one’s hands. This posture of prayer has a Scriptural basis in First Timothy: “I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” (1Tim. 2:8). The orans posture was common in early Christianity and can be seen in early Christian art. Several of the early Church Fathers saw it as “the outline of the cross.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (the “rubrics,” or rules for the celebration of the Mass) references the orans posture with the phrase “with hands extended.” It is instructed to be done twenty-eight times and is used as a direction only for the priest; the laity are never directed to pray “with hands … [Read more...]
World Mission Sunday
October 18, 2026 Celebrated every year on the second-to-last Sunday of October, World Mission Sunday is the day when Catholics around the world unite to support the missionary work of the Church. Established by Pope Pius XI in 1926, it remains the only annual global collection that directly supports the 1,124 mission territories where the Church is young, struggling, or persecuted. On this day, every parish, in every diocese, in every country, joins in prayer and giving to ensure that missionaries can continue their vital work—building churches, forming priests, supporting catechists, and serving communities in need. “Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are … [Read more...]
Walk to Bethlehem
If anyone is interested in taking part in the “Walk to Bethlehem” being done by the Center of Jesus the Lord on December 19, 2026, please contact Darlene Rodriguez at rahrahsdesignes@bellsouth.net. … [Read more...]
Good Stewardship
Good Shepherd Parish needs average weekly collections of $6,500 in order to fund parish operations. Rarely does our collection exceed $5,000. Thankfully, we usually cover our deficit with year-end donations by generous benefactors. I encourage you to take this time to prayerfully consider whether you might increase your donations to our parish. For those who are able, please consider an additional 10% per week. Your help will make a big difference in our ability to meet our financial obligations. One way to make this easy is to use our electronic giving program. Simply sign up here. You may also use the paper authorization form or from Ari Nash in the parish office. Call Ari if you have difficulties. … [Read more...]
Our Lady of Fatima Miracle of the Sun – October 13, 1917
On May 13, 1917, nine-year-old Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were herding sheep at Cova da Iria in the parish of Fátima, Portugal and saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary, who the children described as “the Lady more brilliant than the Sun.” The children were told “to make sacrifices, and to spend time in adoration of the Lord.” The children were also told that on October 13th of that year the “Lady” would reveal her identity and perform a miracle “so that all may believe.” Newspapers reported the prophecies, and many pilgrims began visiting the area. On October 13, 1917, a huge crowd of 100,000 people, including reporters and photographers, gathered at Cova da Iria. What happened then became known as the “Miracle of the Sun.” Numerous authors have published … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 4, 2026
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” (Mt. 21:42) In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus quotes part of Psalm 118 about the stone rejected by the builder becoming the cornerstone. This passage was understood even by the early Church as a prophecy of His Resurrection from the dead. But – as I learned on a trip to the Holy Land a number of years ago – there’s another interesting, more literal meaning to the passage. The Temple in Jerusalem is built using huge stones that were quarried from an area close to the city. Some of these stones are as big as school buses and can still be seen in the “wailing wall.” Once the temple was done, the … [Read more...]
Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Feast Day – October 5
Born in Füssen, Bavaria, in 1809, Francis Xavier Seelos was well educated and had a special gift for languages, but his most outstanding characteristic was his humility. He was ordained a Redemptorist priest in Baltimore, Maryland in 1844. Always loyal to the Order's charism, he was at heart a “missionary with a constant smile on his lips and a generous heart, particularly toward the needy and outcasts,” his followers said. His confessional was always open to everyone, and he heard confessions in German, English, and French, from anyone, regardless of their ethnicity. As a priest, he was distinguished for his “simple lifestyle and language,” so much so that his sermons were heard and understood even by the most simple. Of all the souls entrusted to his care, the ones he was especially fond … [Read more...]
