We usually send out the E-news the first Friday of every month, but since there are many topics to cover, I thought I would send it out today.
Only a few days away from the 2020 election. Perhaps many of you have already voted. If you haven’t voted yet, please do so. Once again, I want to reaffirm that we as Catholics should support candidates who will protect and defend human life from conception to natural death. The Church believes that abortion is the preeminent issue. Those opposed to life promote or maintain access to abortion, euthanasia or assisted suicide. There are other issues of life such as how best to help the poor and people who are vulnerable as well as being good stewards of creation. Jesus made it clear that we cannot ignore these issues. However, the Church is also very clear that protecting life itself must always take precedence when we are deciding who will best represent us.
This Tuesday’s election will be the 59th presidential election since our country was founded. In this election, it seems like half of the people in our country will be happy and the other half disappointed. I am reminded of Psalm 146: “Put no trust in princes, in mere mortals powerless to save. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth; that day all their planning comes to nothing. Happy those whose hope is in the Lord, their God.” Whoever gets elected, may we put our hope and trust in God and continue our primary mission as disciples of Jesus who witness to the Gospel.
This Sunday is All Saints Day and will therefore take the place of the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Fr. John Riccardo, a priest from the Archdiocese of Detroit and well-known author and speaker stated, “The real heroes, the real celebrities, are the saints. They’re the only ones worth imitating. We’re on the field and the stands are packed with the saints who are constantly rooting us on.”
This Monday is All Souls Day as we remember our loved ones who have gone before us. This is a day of hope, the hope of our loved ones encountering the love of the Father. The Vatican has extended plenary indulgences for the whole month of November. Please read this CNA article if you are interested in more information about how to obtain the indulgences.
Speaking of those who have gone before us, I am offering a Mass for the deceased priests of our diocese at the Cathedral on Thursday, November 5, at 11 am. You are welcome to attend. The Mass will also be livestreamed. Before Mass starts, we will announce the names of our priests who have gone before us.
I am looking forward to celebrating our annual “Adoption Mass” on Friday, November 6, at noon at the Cathedral. All are welcome, but especially anyone who has been part of the adoption process.
National Vocation Awareness Week is November 1-7. This annual event is a special time to actively foster and pray for a culture of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.
The regularly scheduled fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be virtual November 16 – 17. Please pray for me and the other Bishops in the US.
Poor: World Day of the Poor is November 15. Thank you for your generosity towards those in most need.
Recently, someone gave me the Bible produced by Bishop Robert Barron and Word on Fire. It contains only the four Gospels, but also includes some excellent and easy to understand commentaries on the Scriptures. I remember a professor who knew someone that read the four Gospels in a continuous pattern and how much the Scriptures made an impact on their life.
Our new Diocesan Website has officially launched! I encourage you all to check it out!
The new Church year begins on November 29 with the Advent season. O Come, O Come Emmanuel!!!
Fr. Ken Coughlin, a priest friend of mine from Michigan, is visiting for a week to go bow hunting for deer. He is arriving late tonight. His brother is also tagging along. Hope their trip is worthwhile.
Please don’t forget to set back your clocks one hour at 2 am on Sunday (or an earlier time if you prefer!).
If I don’t get a chance to see you, may you and your families have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving! God bless all of you!
In Christ’s love and service,
Bishop Vincke
How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been: how gloriously different the saints. ~ C.S. Lewis
Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a person go to Heaven. ~ Saint Camillus de Lellis
You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all. ~ Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Why don’t you give yourself to God once and for all… really… NOW! ~ Saint Josemaría Escrivá
The Lord delights in every little step you take. ~ Saint Francis de Sales
You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. ~ Saint Francis de Sales
To begin is for everyone. To persevere is for saints. ~ Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints. ~ Pope Saint Clement I
There is no saint without a past, and no sinner without a future. ~ Saint Augustine
