From the Pastor's Desk | October 26, 2025

Happy Halloween!

I pray that each of you, especially those with young kids, have a safe and blessed Halloween!  When I was a kid it was one of my favorite holidays because of the sheer fun.  It was so much fun dressing up in costumes and trick or treating.  Oftentimes I miss being a kid and the lack of responsibility…!

It is true that secular culture has embraced Halloween and some of its more sinister aspects.  It has largely become a secular holiday.  Some have attributed Halloween to earlier pagan celebrations of the new year or of harvest festivals.  In actuality, however, Halloween has deeply Christian roots.  The name itself, Halloween, comes from All Hallows Eve, the vigil of All Saints’ Day celebrated each year on November 1, ushering in the month in which we commemorate and pray for the dead.  Immediately following November 1 we celebrate All Souls’ Day in which we pray for all the faithful departed, particularly the holy souls in purgatory.  

In the last few weeks of Ordinary Time, prior to Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year, the Church asks us to focus on our own mortality and those four last things - heaven, hell, judgment, and death.

As you celebrate Halloween, I encourage you to bear in mind its deeply Christian roots as we usher in the month of November commemorating those who have died and praying for their souls.  I also encourage you to steer clear of the more sinister aspects that are now attributed to Halloween - namely witchcraft and the occult.  As Christians we believe in spiritual realities both good and evil.  What can seem fun and harmless can have serious spiritual implications that we do not want anything to do with.  

Enjoy Halloween!  Have fun and prepare yourselves to spend time meditating upon your own mortality and to whom we belong and are directed - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

All Saints Day

As I mentioned above, Saturday, November 1, is the Solemnity of All Saints. In accord with the complimentary norm to canon 1246 §2 confirmed for the dioceses of the United States of America, because it is a Saturday, this year the obligation to attend Mass on this date is abrogated.  In other words, All Saints Day is not a holy day of obligation this year.  

Our next holy day of obligation will fall on Monday, December 8, 2025 as we celebrate the Immaculate Conception.  

All Souls Day

All Souls Day falls on Sunday, November 2.  Therefore, we will celebrate our annual Mass for the Faithful Departed during Mass at 5:00pm.  Please mark your calendars and know that Mass may go a bit longer as we especially commemorate those who passed within the last year.  

Gospel Reflection

When we think of the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering, who comes to mind?

Most of us probably picture those served by organizations like Catholic Charities of Eaton, Ingham & Clinton Counties, or the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Perhaps we think of individuals we pass on street corners, holding signs and asking for spare change. Maybe a particular person comes to mind - someone we know who is navigating difficult financial circumstances.

But here’s a challenging question: When we think of the poor and suffering, do we ever think of ourselves? If not, perhaps we should. Because that is precisely the point Jesus makes in today’s Gospel.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Jesus often directed his message not at the obviously sinful or broken, but at those who believed they were on the inside - those who were convinced they were already righteous. Today’s Gospel gives us a powerful example.

Two men go up to the Temple to pray: one is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee is someone who keeps the law. He observes the liturgical norms. He likely leads a disciplined and prayerful life. And yet, listen to his prayer:

“O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes on my whole income.”

Now consider the tax collector. He doesn’t even come near the sanctuary. He stands at a distance, bows his head, beats his breast, and prays:

“O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

This, Jesus tells us, is the proper way to approach the living God - recognizing who we truly are in the light of His holiness.

The Pharisee thinks he is close to God. But in truth, he is far. The tax collector, despite his sinfulness, and perhaps his wealth, understands his spiritual poverty. And because of that, Jesus says, he is the one who goes home justified.

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Why is this so powerful?

Because the tax collector sees the truth. He doesn't deny his sin or compare himself to others. He doesn't blame or justify. He simply confesses and asks for mercy. He understands that without God, he has nothing, not even the hope of salvation. That is true poverty. That is true humility. That is true wisdom.

The Pharisee, on the other hand, is blinded by pride. He sees only the faults of others and misses his own need for grace.

So as we pray today, let’s ask for the grace to see ourselves clearly - not with shame, but with humility. Let us recognize our own spiritual poverty and our deep need for God’s mercy.

And may our prayer be the same as the tax collector’s:

“Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Know of my prayers for you all!        

Fr. Ryan