Even More to Pray About

First I'm sure we're all offering a prayer of thanksgiving to God that the election season is finally over! Whether those who were elected are our preferred choice or not, they will need our prayers to help guide them in their immense responsibilities. Each election cycle seems to reveal a more and more divided electorate, and I think it will be harder than ever to heal the wounds of the bitter ar­guments of our local and especially national campaigns. But Christ always offers hope: "Be not afraid” he said again and again! As faithful and faith-filled citizens, we are called to pray for all the people in our Nation, especially those who are poor or vulnerable, and those that "We the People" collectively have elected to serve the common good.

Throughout the month of November when our readings fo­cus on the final days of this life, this world, and as I men­tioned last week, the Church has the tradition of praying throughout this month for all of our beloved deceased and for "all whose faith is known to God alone."

In addition to the one remaining Mass of Remembrance in our collaborative (this Tuesday at 7pm at St. Mary church), both of our parishes are continuing our custom of placing a "Book of Names" near the front of the church as a visible way for us to remember our loved ones. The book is placed in front of the Pascal Candle which, lit for the first time at Easter, symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ in which we and our loved ones hope to share when Christ comes back in glory! These are the same books of remembrance we used last year, so if there are any new names you wish to add to those inscribed you are invited to do so. These books will remain in place through Thanksgiving, then be put away as we prepare for the beginning of Advent that week­end.

Finally, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the primary eccumenical/interfaith celebration in our towns each year. This Service of Thanksgiving will be at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, November 22, at Trinity Episcopal Church this year (47 East St., Wrentham). Please join Fr. Bill, me, and others from our collaborative Parishes and neighboring churches to show our unity in recognizing that our Thanks­giving is truly giving thanks to God for all the blessings in our lives and our communities. Especially if you are travel­ing or busy on Wednesday and Thursday when we cele­brate Masses for Thanksgiving, Tuesday is a great oppor­tunity to bring our gratitude to prayer before things start getting hectic! I hope to see you there.....