Dear Prince of Peace Parishioners:
- In this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark tells the story of Jesus' encounter with Bartimaeus, a blind man and a beggar in the Gospel (Mk 10:46-52). Compassion for the outcast was a hallmark of Jesus' ministry and healing stories in the Gospels never seem to be simply a reversal of physical misfortune. In the stories of those who "once were blind, but now they see," the connections between seeing and believing are so strong that these miracles worked by Jesus are more about growing in faith than letting the scales of blindness fall away.
Disciples of Jesus have vision problems.
- How often do we use the metaphor of blindness to describe our inability to grasp the meaning of the suffering we endure?
- What corners of the church, society and culture need serious healing, restoration and reformation in our time?
- Where are our blind spots?
- 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).
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At St. Gabriel Parish, there will be only one morning Mass at 11:00 AM.
- 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 before and after Mass 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.
- It’s not too late to register your children for Elementary religious education classes or Confirmation Classes on every other Sunday evening, starting last Sunday October 17. Please check with the Religious Education Office or Parish Office for more information.
For RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult) who explores the Catholic Faith which meeting on Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Community Room as our Parish Community prepares for another “Liturgical Year” with our Catholic Life.
- October is the Respect for Life (from the womb to the tomb), there are opportunities to learn about the Church teaching on the Sacred Gift of Life, Defending of Life and Prayer for Life. October, also, a Month of the Rosary. There are opportunities to pray the Rosary before each Mass on the weekend; come early before Mass and join with other parishioners to pray this beautiful traditional prayer for Life and Peace. Also, remember to pray the Rosary with your family for Life and Peace in the World throughout this month of October.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang