Dear friends in Christ

We have entered the final weeks of the liturgical year, which ends with the feast of Christ the King in two weeks time. During November the texts and readings at Mass generally point us to the eschatological truths of our Faith; that is: death, judgment, Heaven and Hell. The Church doesn’t want to alarm us by these considerations, but rather warn and alert us to what is ahead. The wise person lives daily in prospect of eternity. During November above all, we can pray both for the eternal repose of the Holy Souls in Purgatory and for our own readiness for the moment when God will call us from this life to Life. Every Mass has this eschatological dimension since in every Mass we look to the Risen Lord with anticipation. The Eucharistic Sacrifice is Heaven now, but not yet; we have one foot on earth whilst the other is in Heaven; Holy Mass is where these two worlds meet.

During the final week of this month we usually have our Days of Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration or The Forty Hours Prayer. This time above all the times in the year is a preparation for eternal life as we look also towards the start of Advent and the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In preparation for our Forty Hours I would like to ask you to think about the time you can set aside for prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I would especially like to ask the many Parish Groups to organise amongst yourselves periods that you can dedicate to such prayer. This will ensure that there is a round-the-clock vigil and also represent the prayers of all those members of the Parish Family who work for the coming of the Kingdom here and now. God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale