Message from Fr. David November 7, 2021

NEWS AND UPDATES
PARISH FESTIVAL
While we still expect some additional expenses to be paid, we are thrilled to report that this year’s festival was a record-breaker – approximately $50,000 profit!!!
Once again, a big THANK YOU to all who helped make this year’s festival a huge success.
FORWARD IN FAITH LISTENING SESSIONS
On Monday, November 8th, the Pastoral Council will be hearing a preliminary report on the feedback from our in-person listening sessions and the paper/digital surveys.  I’m sure I speak for the members of the Pastoral Council when I say that I am looking forward to receiving the report from Dennis Corcoran.  After our meeting, the Pastoral Council will work with Dennis in putting together a plan for making the report available to the parishioners.
STATE OF THE PARISH REPORT
Overall, I believe the State of the Parish report was well received.  While it is a sobering report, so many of you have graciously reached out with words of support and commitment to increase your weekly offering.  Truly, I am humbled by your quick and generous responses to our appeal.  THANK YOU!
SALUTE AND PRAYER FOR OUR VETERANS
Whether they served at home or abroad, veterans should be acknowledged by us and shown deep appreciation.  In gratitude, our nation this week remembers and honors their service.
Here is a prayer posted on the Archdiocese of Washington‘s website that prays for all veterans, asking God to heal them as well as pledging to do all we can to support them.
Help us, dear God, to see your face in every Veteran we encounter.  Guide us as we imagine new ways to support Veterans and their families.  Bring healing and peace to all who have been wounded physically, mentally and spiritually during wartime.  Help us bring your saving grace to heal the invisible wounds of war.  We ask this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
To all my brother and sister veterans – Thank you and God bless you!
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS
Sometimes today’s gospel message can be confusing.  You see, in praising the widow who gave her last two coins to the temple treasury, Jesus is not suggesting that you and I need to give away our last penny.  Rather, Jesus acknowledges that it is often the poorest of the poor who show the greatest charity, who risk the most to be loving. Jesus criticized the scribes and priests not only because of their apparent stinginess in donating to the Temple, but also because people such as the widow were often made poor by those in power who laid religious taxes and excessive expectations upon them. Friends, today we are reminded that it is the responsibility of governments, churches, and individuals not only to come to the relief of the poor but to prevent them from being crushed in the first place.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over . . . .
–David Foster Wallace, This Is Water