• In today’s Gospel… we hear the “Parable of the Talents.” God gives each of us talents and gifts, and we are called to use and develop them. Sometimes we tend to compare ourselves with others, and not appreciate our own gifts. All of us have been blessed by God with talents - we are all unique! The first reading, for example, extols the talents of a wife. Whatever gifts we have, let’s be grateful for them, and use our God-given talents as best we can.
• This Wednesday, November 22… is the feast of Saint Cecilia. This day has always been special to me, because St. Cecilia is the patroness of church musicians! Historically, we don’t know much about her, except that she was a virgin who was martyred for her faith. Legends about her exist, and she is said to be the patroness of sacred music because of the song of God in her heart.
We’re grateful to our parish music ministry staff and volunteers, who work so hard to provide appropriate and beautiful music at our parish Masses. But all of us are called to participate through song at Mass. Vatican II’s “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” states at #113: “A liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrated with singing, the sacred ministers take their parts in them, and the faithful actively participate.” So, please do your part to “actively participate” by picking up a hymnal when the cantor announces a hymn (unless you can’t due to personal imitations). Honestly, it’s quite disheartening for us priests when we look out at the congregation from the altar, and sometimes see many people not opening a hymnal. Our hymns are chosen with great care, and are part of our liturgical prayer. And if you’re bashful because you think that your voice isn’t good enough, sing even louder to remind God of the voice that He gave you!
• Thanksgiving Day… is this Thursday, November 23. Consider coming to Mass that day to give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received. Please note that our parish will only have one Mass on Thanksgiving Day, 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More.