Dear Prince of Peace Parishioners:
- Thank you for joining the Church and all people of Good Will as we approach the end of the month of October, celebrating Respect for Life (from the womb to the tomb) and learning more about the Church teaching on the Sacred Gift of Life, Defending of Life and Prayer for Life. Also, October, a Month of the Rosary, a unique opportunity to remind us to pray the Rosary with our family for Life and Peace in the World. May we continue this good habit of always praying.
- Today’s Gospel story from Mark 12:28-34 presents us with a rather friendly conversation than the usual controversial discussion between Jesus and the scribes. Scribes were the scholars and intellectuals of Judaism; the position of scribe in the Jewish community was a respected place of leadership.
Today’s key question, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” offers Jesus an important teaching moment. In response, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5 today’s first reading and indicates the opening verses of the Shema, recited daily by the Jews:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Even though Jesus is asked for one commandment, he provides two in his response. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself - Leviticus 19:18. What is remarkable is that the scribe expresses agreement with Jesus by paraphrasing him without any hint of hostility or irony.
Moses teaches in the Shema and Jesus reaffirms in the Gospel that all of the Commandments are summed up in the love of God and in loving kindness towards one’s neighbor. Whenever we make the Sign of the Cross, we are tracing the Shema upon our bodies as we touch our head (soul), heart, and shoulders (strength) and pledge them to God’s service.
- We will welcome in the month of November with two great feasts of “All Saint – November 1” and “All Souls – November 2”. In both of these Feast Days, we celebrate the lives of the people whom had demonstrated their faithfulness to God in words and deeds through all the “in and out seasons” of their lives and also, those who are awaiting the Mercy of God and His gift of Redemption. These are the people of God whom we are related to or even known while living here on earth. Let’s celebrate and especially remember those who need God’s mercy and our prayers throughout the month of November.
Even though our parish community will celebrate the Feast of All Saints on Nov. 1 and All Souls on Nov. 2, where family can gather in we will begin this celebration on the weekend of Oct. 30 & 31 remembrance of loved ones, especially, those who have died this past calendar year.
- Thursday, November 1 is the “Feast of All Saints”.
- At Prince of Peace Parish – Belfair, there will be 5:00 PM Mass (English) and 7:00 PM Mass (Spanish).
- At Gabriel Parish, there will be only one morning Mass at 11:00 AM.
- At the main entrance, there is a “Prayer Book – Labeled For the Deceased” that you could write in the names of your loved ones whom you want our parish community to pray for them. Also, it’s not too late to send in the All Souls’ envelops with the names of your loved ones who have passed away and wanting our parish to pray for them in this month of November.
- Counting down in ONE week, The Annual Holiday Bazaar at our sister Parish, St. Gabriel in Port Orchard (All Day Friday, Nov. 5; All Day Saturday, Nov. 6 and after Masses on Sunday, Nov. 7). Please stop by the Religious Education wings to visit and purchase something for a good cause (All proceeds are for Share and Care Ministry) to help the needy and the unfortunate of our faith community and the larger community of Port Orchard and beyond.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang