Dear Parishioners:
We had a very successful OKTOBERFEST.
One direct blessing from this success is the purchase of 50 new tables to be used for parish functions. As you are aware, the current tables were first used at the Last Supper and were getting a little worn.
The rest of the funds are divided between the parish financial support of our education programs, our day school, and the permanent school endowment fund.
Thank you for making this year's celebration a great day.
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This month's readings will focus on the last things. These four things, death, judgment, heaven and hell, have been and continue to be the subjects of great debate and speculation.
From a theological standpoint, death is that moment when body and soul are separated and the soul stands before the throne of God for its particular judgment. It is at that moment that our final destination is decided. We are either in heaven or hell for all eternity. We do not come back from the dead. It is finalized for ever.
The out of the body experiences many speak of are very real, but they are not really examples of people who have actually died and returned. If they had died, they wouldn't be here. They were near death and God may have given them a message or a second chace, we really don't know.
Purgatory is part of heaven. It is a state of passive suffering in which God "purges," purifies the soul. We don't do anything in purgatory. We don't earn more points for our salvation. It is not a time of second chance. Our one and only "chance" to attain the fullness of heaven is our life in this part of the Kingdom on earth.
Yes, indeed, this life is part of heaven. Those of us who grew up in the fifties and before learned about the Church Triumphant [the Church in the fullness of heaven], the Church Suffering [those in purgatory], and the Church Militant [those of us here on earth].
We are all going to die. We are all going to face our Creator and our Savior. At the judgment none of us will escape. We will not be able to blame El Nino for our choices. We will stand naked before God to give the accounting for all the decisions of our life. There will be no appeal, no justifications, no explanations, etc. The judgment will be final and irrevocable. Let us live well that our judgment will go well.
Fr. Bill
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