St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral 6630 Turner Valley Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 2P1 905 814 6003 Email: offi[email protected], offi[email protected] www.stalphonsacathedral.ca November 12 2017 PASTOR’S MESSAGE Forthcoming Events of the weeks Nov.12 -A Talk by Ms. Nadia for Grade 10-12 Nov.18 -4th Degree of Knights of Columbus -Christmas Carol by Ecumenical Group Nov.19 -Sale of Religious articles for Charity Fund raising Nov. 25 -Parish Night Nov.26 -Feast of Christ e King -Blessing of the Statue of Infant Jesus -Unitwise Carol singing starts December 2017 01-03 - 40 hours of Adoration , Preparation for the Advent Family Unit Meeting 1. Nov.18 5.00 pm St. Ann omas John 6472 Seaver Rd. Mississauga 2. Nov. 18 8.00 pm Don Bosco Saji Jose 2934 Gulf stream Way Mississauga 3. Nov.19 7.00 pm St. Jerome Praveen & Hymna 3662 Ellengale Drive Mississauga 4. Nov.26 6.00 pm St. Chavara Job & Jasmin 35 Province Trail, Etobicoke M9V 5B62. 5. Nov.18 7.00 pm Mother of Perpetual Help Raphael Maliekal 621 Madame Street, Mississauga L5W 1G6 6. Nov.19 7.00 pm St. Augustine Burlington Joy Sally 103 Sixteen Mile Dr., Burlington 7. Nov. 19 6.00 pm St. Jude Mississauga Sunil Puthiya 5584 Whistler Cres., Mississauga, L4Z 3R5 8. Nov 18 5.00 pm St. omas, Woodbridge Gibu and Asha 48 Seafield Rd., Maple Pastor : Fr. Sebastian Arikat Associate Pastor : Fr.Jacob Edakalathur Office Administrator : Sijo Joseph Secretary : Sr. Philsy CMC Accountant : Siju Mathew Trustee : James Antony OFFICE STAFF It is an age old practise in the Catholic Church to pray for the deceased especially in the month of November. Why do we pray and how can we do it? e Bible provides evidence that there can be no imperfections in heaven. According to the Catechism, most of us who don’t merit hell yet still need purification before we can enter heaven, will pass through a state the Church calls purgatory when we die: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but aſter death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030) What is purgatory like? Most of the saints’ descriptions involve fire. St Paul writes: “If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire [itself] will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.” (I Cor. 3:12-15). e thought of a loved one undergoing suffering is a motivation to pray, but there is another reason. ere are three states of the Church: those on earth (Church Militant), those who have died and are being purified (Church Suffering) and those who are in glory with God (Church Triumphant). (CCC 954). In charity, we’re called to commend the souls of the faithful departed to God’s mercy and pray for them. We can help them not only through our prayers but also by having Masses offered for them, by giving alms and by offering pious works for the spiritual benefit of others. During November, which is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, there are more opportunities to help them by earning indulgences that are only applicable to them. 1.Visit a Cemetery: obtain a partial indulgence by praying at a cemetery during November or a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery each day between Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. 2.Offer a holy mass for the souls in purgatory. 3.Pray the Eternal Rest: Obtain a partial indulgence year round when reciting: Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen Even if our loved ones are already in heaven, it’s still beneficial to pray because another soul might need the help. Someday we ourselves may need the prayers of the living. May I request you to pray for our deceased ones and offer holy mass for them. Fr.Sebastian Arikat Pastor MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS AND CHOICEST BLESSINGS TO OUR BELOVED BISHOP JOSE KALLUVELIL ON HIS BIRTH- DAY ON 15TH NOVEMBER. FROM e Pastors and Parishioners of St. Alphonsa Catholic Cathedral NURSES MINISTRY