Good morning — Today is All Hallows Eve. This is taken from the Vatican News website.
“In the modern world, and especially in English speaking countries, Halloween has become one of the most important holidays of the year, with millions of children and adults dressing up as their favourite heroes, superstars, ghouls and goblins. While some people have connected Halloween to earlier pagan celebrations of the new year, Halloween actually has significant Catholic roots. The name itself comes from All Hallow’s Eve – that is, the Vigil of All Saints’ Day, when Catholics remember those who have gone before us to enter our heavenly home. Immediately afterwards, on November 2, the Church commemorates all the faithful departed still detained in Purgatory, and prays in suffrage for them. Vatican News spoke with Dr Marcel Brown, of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture in Tulsa, about the Catholic roots of Halloween. “The feast of Halloween is one of those feasts on the Catholic calendar that is celebrated on the eve of a great solemnity”, he said. Dr Brown explained that the word Halloween refers to the Feast of All Saints. The word itself is taken an older English term, “hallows,” meaning “holy”; and “e’en”, a truncation of the word evening, in reference to the Vigil of the feast. “So really, Halloween is the feast of the celebration of the feast of All Hallows’”, he said. “So it’s a day when Catholics celebrate the triumph of the Church in heaven, and the lives of the saints on earth”.
In our newsletter this month, we have our the remaining retreats for 2025. Our last women’s for 2025 is on November 11-13. This retreat has a few spots available, so get your registrations in soon. Our Men’s retreats are on November 7-9 and December 5-7. There are spots available for both retreats.
We also have our retreat schedule for January – June 2026. All of the registration forms for these retreats are on our website, so register early, if you are able.
We have a beautiful article on a shrine in France dedicated entirely to the Poor Souls. Read about this shrine which began in 1884.
Remember, this weekend it is time to “Turn Back Time”. Set your clock’s back 1 hour, sleep in and don’t be late for Mass on Sunday.
We also have our Advent retreat with Susan Stabile. This one is going to be her last Advent retreat with us. She will be back in November of 2026 for a weekend retreat.
November is also a very busy month with All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Not to mention, getting ready for Advent. Remember to take some time today, and everyday, to thank the Lord for all the gifts in your life, remembering all those who have gone before us and have shared their love, life and faith with us. My favorite verse in scripture, okay one of my favorite verses, is Mark 4:37-39, “A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”* The wind ceased and there was great calm.”
Imagine yourself, sitting next to Jesus, in the calm of the stormy moments, the chaos of life, and be at peace, because you are sitting with Jesus by your side.
We look forward to seeing you here on your next retreat, and bring a friend. Have a very blessed month.
Anita Goth, Retreat Coordinator