On Saturday, November 2, 7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Rosary, the Winton Wyoming Pastoral Region will offer a Mass in prayer for the souls of our departed parishioners and for all the faithful departed. While our regional All Souls Mass will use the prayers and readings of the Feast day, because it falls during the hours of obligation, attendance at this Mass fulfills the obligation of Catholics to attend Mass on Sunday. Click title for more information.

This is a day of obligation for all the faithful to attend Mass. All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls' Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven. Click title for Mass schedule.

I am immensely blessed to have the opportunity to live in community with two other priests, my classmates, Fr. Matt Feist and Fr. Eric Roush. In addition to the fact that it is generally unhealthy for people to live in isolation, there are many benefits to having people around. We provide opportunities to serve one another, to deny ourselves for the sake of growing in holiness, and having someone at home to tell you whether or not you’re being crazy when you come home and talk about the day. Perhaps a prime example of this is the exponential decrease that I have seen in the instances where I talk to myself. Because I don’t want to disturb my housemates, nor do I want them to think that I am insane, I no longer hold full blown conversations with myself in the halls of my home. It probably isn’t cause for my canonization, but it certainly does take some self-control, as I love both talking and singing to myself. Click title for full column.

I have found that sometimes Jesus’ beautiful turn of phrase and lofty language masks what is actually a very simple point in His teaching. This week’s Gospel tells the story of a wicked judge who doesn’t have any integrity and doesn’t care about the people over whom he has authority. But even in his wickedness he doesn’t want to anger a persistent older woman for fear of invoking her wrath. If you boil this story down to its essential elements it comes out to a fairly simple lesson: irritate God into doing what you want Him to. Click title for full column.

Every year on confirmation day, I am amazed to see so many young people and their families packed in the cathedral. It brings memories of my confirmation day: I got up around 4:30 am, got ready and walked three and half hours to our parish. We were hundreds of children from all over the parish. In 1986, there were not many people with cameras to take pictures. Even though I do not have a confirmation picture, I hold in my heart and mind the beauty of that day. In fact, I was eager to receive this sacrament because I worked for it. I could not wait to see what the Spirit would do in my life and with my life. Click title for full article.

There will be a Public Rosary Rally, sponsored by America Needs Fatima Organization, on Saturday, October 12. It will be held on the St. Matthias front lawn at 8:45 am following the 8:00 am Mass. Click on title for more information.

This week, I lead off with one of my favorite sentences with which to begin a column: By the time you read this, I will be on vacation, kicking up my feet with a banjo in solitude. Over the next few days I will be celebrating my ten-year college reunion with friends, preparing for a close friend’s wedding, and then doing nothing more than participating in wholesome, authentic leisure. Click title for full column.

The St. James Fellowship Group will be hosting a Chili Challenge Cook-off on Saturday, October 19 after the 4:30 Mass at St. James.  We hope to field all kinds of chili: traditional Cincinnati chili, Southwest Style, White, Sausage,Turkey, Firehouse, Vegetarian, Verde, Pumpkin,Beer, 3 or 5 Alarm…What is your specialty? All you need to do is bring a (labeled!) crock-pot of chili before the 4:30 Mass. The Fellowship Group will provide sampling cups and condiments. The winner will get bragging rights for a year and a fancy brand-new clean apron! Fr. McCullough was last year's winner! Who is next??? To enter your chili, please click here or contact Beth Kiley at [email protected] Click here for entry form.