A Word on Evangelization

28th Sunday, Ordinary Time, October 13, 2024

Deacon Mike Meyer

    It seems as if we have just turned the calendar to the month of September and now it is already behind us.  How quickly time goes by for Fall has arrived and suddenly we are already two weeks into October.  Most of us are busy with many events and activities that normally appear on our fall calendars.  Football games, hayrides, barn dances, weddings, Oktoberfests, and many other annual traditions that we all love and cherish.

    I also really look forward to the church celebrations, feast days, and solemnities that appear on the liturgical calendar.  They are very inspiring and offer opportunities for us to grow in our Catholic Faith, and share our faith with those around us.  

    We have already had the feast day of St. Therese of the Child of Jesus on October 1, a great time to reflect on her life and amazing example of humble faith.  On October 2 we remembered our Guardian Angels.  It always makes me think of the Guardian Angel prayer that I like to say in the morning and at night before I go to be.  It also comes immediately to my mind when I am afraid or experiencing a difficult situation.  On this feast day I like to reflect on my guardian angel in a spirit of thanksgiving and remember the times when I experienced his guiding hand.

    There are some really great opportunities that are on the liturgical calendar and are coming up in the near future.  The Solemnity of All Saints, November 1 which is a Holy Day of obligation, The Commemoration of All Souls, November 2, where we remember and pray for family and friends that have gone before us.  The feast day of Christ the King, November 24, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and of course Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, which begins this year on Sunday, December 1.

    In the coming weeks I will be focusing on one or more of these liturgical feasts and celebrations, and how they offer evangelization opportunities for the faithful.  It is important for us to teach our children and grandchildren about the events that are on the liturgical calendar in order to give them a good understanding of these life giving traditions, feasts, holy days, and seasons. When we understand them, we can more fully enter into and experience what they have to offer us in our life’s journey where we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, striving for eternal life with Him in heaven.  Lord, Jesus give us the grace to make these days a priority in our lives, that they can bring more joy and love to all the regular events on our calendars, and challenge us to grow closer to you Lord Jesus as we experience them year after year.

                                            Deacon Mike