Father's weekly message
St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr (November - 22) According to the tradition, St. Cecilia was born in a wealthy Roman family. She was a Christian by birth. She pledged herself to God from a young age to remain a perpetual virgin. However, when her parents arranged a marriage for her to a young pagan nobleman, Valerianus, she dutifully obeyed her parents, trusting that God would open her husband’s heart to Christ. A traditional story says that she was singing in her heart during the entire ceremony of her wedding and prayed earnestly to open the heart of her husband to understand her faith and vow of perpetual virginity. Later, she told him that an angle of God wished her to remain a virgin. He promised to respect her wish if he were allowed to see the angel. She replied that he would if he were baptized. He then, sought out Pope Urban I, who was living in hiding to escape persecution, and was baptized. On his return from baptism, he found Cecilia talking to the angel. His brother, Tiburtius moved by their witness converted to faith. The three of them became leaders in the early Church community in Rome. The two brothers dedicated themselves to burying the Christian martyrs, which was illegal. They were arrested and sentenced to death for refusing to renounce their faith and mission of mercy. Seeing their faith, their would-be executioner, Maximus, converted to the faith and was martyred alongside them. As a widow, Cecilia continued her work burying the Christian martyrs and converting many people. She distributed her possessions to the poor, which enraged the prefect Almachius, who ordered her to be burned. When the flames did not harm her, she was beheaded in the year 177 AD. But she did not die immediately. She was laying on a street for three days praising God and converting people who came to see her. Her body was buried in the Catacomb of Saint Callistus. A feast day in honor of Saint Cecilia was celebrated as early as 545. She is one of the seven women commemorated by the name in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1). She is honored as the patron saint of musicians, composers, instrument makers, and poets. Today, we can also draw some inspirations from her example of faith. Her faithfulness to God, and the vow of chastity, desire to convert those who live in the clutches of paganism and materialism. Certainly, each one of us is called to unite our faith and works of mercy with the holy men and women of faith who had gone before us. May the heavenly cloud of witnesses inspire us to live our faith in the midst of tribulations of our present time. St. Cecilia! Pray for us! - Fr. Jesu
Announcements for November 10th
The Ladies Guild are selling their delicious homemade pies for Thanksgiving. You can choose from Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin or Pecan. Please order no later than November 13th. Pies are $20.00.
El Ladies Guild está vendiendo sus deliciosas tartas caseras para el Día de Acción de Gracias. Puedes elegir entre manzana, cereza, calabaza o nuez. Realice su pedido a más tardar el 13 de noviembre. Las tartas cuestan $20.00.
On Thanksgiving Day there will be a Mass at 8:00 a.m. followed by the blessing of bread and wine for your Thanksgiving meal.
El Día de Acción de Gracias habrá una Misa a las 8:00 a. m. seguida de la bendición del pan y el vino para la comida de Acción de Gracias.
Come out and support our youth at this year’s Canton Christmas Parade, which is on Saturday, December 7th at 6:30p.m. Please contact Anna Stephens or Barbara Cozart if you can volunteer to help! Kindly drop any candy donations off at the church office.
Ven y apoya a nuestros jóvenes en el Desfile de Navidad de Cantón de este año, que será el sábado 7 de diciembre a las 6:30 p.m. ¡Comuníquese con Anna Stephens o Barbara Cozart si puede ofrecerse como voluntario para ayudar! Por favor deje cualquier donación de dulces en la oficina de la iglesia.
The Knights of Columbus will be accepting donations for the Thanksgiving Baskets in the coming weeks. Please be generous. Those who are in need please contact the church office to be placed on the list
Los Caballeros de Colón aceptarán donaciones para las Canastas de Acción de Gracias en las próximas semanas. Por favor sea generoso. Aquellos que lo necesiten, comuníquese con la oficina de la iglesia para ser incluido en la lista.
The month of November is dedicated to praying for all the faithful departed. Kindly consider offering a Mass for your loved ones. The Book of Remembrance is located next to the Baptismal Font along with a basket to place your All Souls’ Mass intention envelopes in (please do not write in the book; we will transfer the names for you).
El mes de noviembre está dedicado a la oración por todos los fieles difuntos. Por favor considere ofrecer una misa para sus seres queridos. El Libro del Recuerdo está ubicado al lado de la Pila Bautismal junto con una canasta para colocar los sobres de intención de la Misa de Todos los Difuntos (no escriba en el libro; transferiremos los nombres por usted).
Christmas is right around the corner! Kindly stop by the Ladies Guild Gift Shop to browse through all the new items they have available.
¡La Navidad está a la vuelta de la esquina! Pase por la tienda de regalos de Ladies Guild para ver todos los artículos nuevos que tienen disponibles.
If your address or phone number has changed or if you feel we do not have your correct address, please contact the church office and provide an update no later than November 24th.
Si su dirección o número de teléfono ha cambiado o si cree que no tenemos su dirección correcta, comuníquese con la oficina de la iglesia y proporcione una actualización a más tardar el 24 de noviembre.