Five Ways – Oct 24

October 15, 2024

Please pardon the silence during September.  The priest I assist was out of the USA during August and September, getting his visa updated.  Covering for him has delayed this monthly e-letter.

Many thanks to those who commented on the August19, 2024 e-letter.  With many people stressed out over the wars between Russia and the Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas, and the upcoming November elections, here is some humor and joy from children in church, as related by the late Fr. Gil Boucher O.M.I., in his book Father Gloat Gleanings:  Children explain Scripture.  “It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.  The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.  The Epistels were the wives of the Apostels.”

The Synod on Synodality is meeting in Rome during October.  Pope Francis has increased the number of fraternal delegates representing the non-Catholic Christian Churches, from 12 to 16.  These new, four are from the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Lutheran World Federation, and the World Mennonite Conference. The 16 are not observers, but full members without voting privilege. It is very difficult to discover their actual names and country of origin.  I welcome any information about this.

Pope Francis asked all Catholics to pray the rosary with him on Monday, Oct. 7, for peace in the world and the success of the synod.  And he reminded us that October is the month of Mary’s holy rosary.  Mary is the best patron of evangelization, ecumenism and dialogue with other religions. You may see more about this by pulling up the MUD website (www.harrywinter.org) and opening the page on Mary.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Harry