Dear Parishioners:
- In today’s first reading, the prophet Amos is quite serious about the complacent folk who pamper themselves at the expense of others, and have apparently lost interest in the sufferings of their fellow human beings. Amos is the great champion of the poor.
Also, in today’s Gospel of Luke, the provocative parable of the rich man and Lazarus again illustrates Luke’s concern with Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor.
Luke, chapter 16 is not just about money or wealth. When we really understand the chapter, the key element in both parables is personal relationships. Almsgiving is good but involvement is better. Ministering to the financially poor and the spiritually bankrupt develops our potential to enrich others as we are enriched in the process.
Our focus must be on the well-being of the poor and downtrodden. It is in giving that we receive. And God loves cheerful givers!
What are we depending on?
Do we think being rich means we are right with God?
Do we worry enough about eternity?
- October is also the 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.
There is a “Living Rosary” – everyone is invited to participate in this event on Saturday, October 19 - 1:00 PM at St. Gabriel; each person represents “a beat” for this Living Rosary prayer. Also, remember to pray the Rosary with your family for Life and Peace in the World throughout this month of October.
- Happy Parish Feast Day (Sunday, September 29) – Feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Archangel Gabriel had many different roles as a messenger of God; among several events in the Bible, the most memorable one is the Annunciation – God’s message to our Blessed Mother Mary who was chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God.
Perhaps, the parish feast day this year truly prepares us for what is to come: Tuesday is the beginning of the month of October, reminding us of the month of Respect for Life. As a people of faith, we value the gift of Life – from conception to natural death and in fact, this weekend, we join with our Church to pray for this gift of Life and the “Freedom to choose Life” and “Religious Freedom” with a Novena (9 days) in this effort.
- Happy Feast Day (Friday, September 27) to all the members of St. Vincent DePaul Council at St. Gabriel Parish who founder is the patron saint to all charitable societies. Like the admirer of St. Vincent, Blesses Frederic Ozanam who established St. Vincent DePaul Society in 1833, the volunteers at St. Gabriel continue this good charitable work in the spirit of St. Vincent right here in our parish community.
- Finally, Happy Feast Day of the Filipino’s Community – Lorenzo Ruiz of Manilla (1600-1631) and St. Pedro Calungsod. Through his intercession, may the Lord bless our parish community; we celebrate this feast was on Saturday September 27 at 6:30 PM Mass and reception follows.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang