Last Thursday while in Canada for the Knights of Columbus mid-year state chaplain meeting, I joined with my brother priests which included a chaplain from Manila, to pray for the people of the Philippines in light of the approaching typhoon that was about to hit that country.  After it hit with devastating power, I continue to pray for those who were affected by this terrible typhoon and considered what I can do to help the rescue and clean-up effort.  My thought was to contribute some money to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which is one of a number of agencies that is always prepared to swing into action after natural disasters.  I want to ask you, in the name of our compassionate Lord, to also reach out (if you haven't alread done so) to help the poor people in the Philippines. The phone number for Catholic Relief Services is 1-877-435-7277 and their address is Post Office Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303.  Also, I would ask you to consider, if you can, to donate something to CRS on a regular basis.  We never know when the next natural disaster will occur.  Also, pray for the relief workers themselves that God will strengthen them and the people of the Philippines for what is happening now and for what will need to happen to give these people hope for the future.

Do you need a shot of patriotism and prayer in your life?  You can satisfy both by coming to church this Monday at 9:00 a.m. and praying the Patriotic Rosary on Veterans Day.  As you come to church for this purpose, you will see many American flags on our church property that are put up on various civic holidays throughout the year.  Our prayers for our country, its leaders, and its citizens in all fifty states, as well as the patriotic songs that are sung through out the rosary, will speak strongly to God of our need for His care and guidance for our country.  Please start your Veterans Day in this special way.

Also, please remember that our Bishop Anthony Taylor will be here next Saturday as the main celebrant of the Mass, and as the one who will carry the Monstrance with the Eucharist in it to our Perpetual Adoration Chapel for the beginning of Perpetual Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church.  All adorers are especially encouraged to attend this Mass.

I found it very interesting to read what was sent to me and all priests, about a new, nationwide collection that will be taken up next weekend at all of our Masses for the Archdiocese of the Military Services.  We were told that currently there are only 250 Catholic chaplains who now serve on active military duty and another 250 who serve at Veterans Adminstration Medical Centers.  This vast Archdiocese receives absolutely no funding from the government and has no parishes to provide weekly sources of funding.  The money generated through this special collection will assist in recruiting chaplains, training them in seminaries (most often in partnership with another diocese), and travel for the Archbishop and others who are on his staff.

I am happy that we have this opportunity to help those connected with the spiritual service of our men and women who serve in our military.  Please be generous to this need next weekend.  There are envelopes on the cabinets in the narthex and the hallway leading into our administration building, or you can just place a check or cash into the basket during the collection.