Dear Parishioners, November is upon us and we have two beautiful celebrations that make us think about death and the afterlife: Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints, and Nov. 2, All Souls Day. All Saints is about Heaven and All Souls is about Purgatory. We are all called to be Saints. Canonized or not, everyone in heaven is a saint. All Saints is about honoring all the saints in heaven and building our belief and desire for heaven. We all have a bit of window to heaven in our souls and this needs to expand. Heaven is the grace or life of God living within us. Our desire for heaven to be with God and all the saints should grow with each passing day and year. Heaven is our true home, we are only passing through this life on earth to eternal life.
Dear Parishioners, I am presently in route to my walking pilgrimage in Italy. A few notes while I am away: Since I am not able to be here for daily masses and confessions I would encourage you to check out our nearby parishes in Deer Park and Colville for daily masses and confessions. The times for masses and confessions are printed in the bulletin. For the next three Fridays we will be having Eucharist Exposition and Adoration from 9-10 am. Please join us to pray before Lord in silent adoration. Click here for more.
Dear Parishioners, I was really delighted with the Rosary procession that happened last Sunday. It was the beginning of a lovely tradition to honor Our Lady of the Rosary who is that patron of St Mary’s. Many of those who participated mentioned that it brought back good memories of processions and May crownings they remember as children. I would like to thank everyone who participated and those who helped with the procession and meal that followed. Click here for more.
Dear Parishioners, Just a reminder that we will be having the Rosary Procession and luncheon after the 10 am mass at St. Mary’s. This will be a way to honor our Lady of the Rosary and pray a rosary together. Please join us. Processions and praying the Rosary together as a community have a way of strengthening faith. Click here to read more!
Dear Parishioners, We are so blessed here in Chewelah that our parish is named in honor of Our Lady under the title of St. Mary of the Rosary. It is a long tradition that a parish or town celebrate its patron’s feast day. In Europe and elsewhere the parish or town would have a procession and celebration on its patron’s feast day. Our parish feast day is Oct. 7, which is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast is on Friday. I will not be available to celebrate mass that day so we are going to have a rosary prayed at 9 a.m. in the place of mass. We will celebrate our parish feast on Sunday, Oct. 9.