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A Call to Prayer: Mourning the Loss of Pope Francis

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:04:35 GMT

Pray & Honor His Legacy

As we mourn the loss of our beloved pope, we are reminded of his unwavering commitment to mercy, compassion, and the Gospel. His leadership touched the lives of millions, and his legacy will continue to inspire the Church as we move forward in faith.

The passing of a pope leads to many questions that we hope to address and answer below.

Why is the Papal ring destroyed?

The Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of papal authority, is ceremonially destroyed to prevent forgery and mark the end of the pontificate.

Why are the Papal doors sealed?

After a pope dies, his papal apartments are sealed to mark the official end of his papacy and to show that no one may exercise his authority until a new pope is elected. The sealing also secures personal and official documents, prevents misuse of papal items, and is carried out by the Camerlengo as part of canon law. It’s a gesture of both respect and order during the transition period.

Why do we mourn the Pope for 9 days?

Catholics mourn the pope for nine days as part of a traditional period of mourning called the novemdiales, which comes from the Latin word for “nine days.” This ritual dates back centuries and serves both spiritual and ceremonial purposes. During this time, Catholics around the world pray for the repose of the pope’s soul and reflect on his life and service to the Church.

What’s next?

In the Vatican, a series of liturgical events, including daily Masses, are held to honor the deceased pope. The novemdiales also allow the Church to prepare for the election of a new pope while uniting the faithful in a shared time of grief and remembrance.

You can view live Masses at the Vatican, listen to live recitation of the Holy Rosary, and more at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/@VaticanNewsEN/featured

When is the funeral?

The funeral is scheduled for 3:00 am central time (10:00 am local time) on Saturday, April 26 ^th in St. Peter’s Square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. You can live stream the funeral here:

https://www.youtube.com/@VaticanNewsEN/streams

I want to honor the Pope, what can I do?

1. Pray. Considering praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be throughout the day. The recitation of the Rosary for the repose of his soul is also a great option. You could also offer up the prayer of eternal rest.

2. Honor his legacy:

Pope Francis’ legacy is marked by his unwavering emphasis on mercy and compassion, encouraging the Church to care for the marginalized, including the poor, refugees, and the sick, highlighted through the Year of Mercy.

He became a strong advocate for environmental justice, urging global action through his encyclical Laudato Si’ to protect the planet and its people.

His groundbreaking efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue, particularly with Islam and Judaism, led to historic moments like his visit to the UAE and the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.

Additionally, his humility and simplicity were central to his papacy, as he chose to live modestly and prioritized being close to the people, reflecting the values of the Gospel.

Hallowtide: Taking Back this Triduum Holiday

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:49:29 GMT

How Halloween is rooted in Catholicism

What is Hallowtide?

Hallowtide is a triduum holiday that includes All Hallows Eve (Halloween), All Saints Day, and All Souls Day.

All Saints Day celebrates everyone in heaven, even if they are not on the calendar.
There are over 3,000 canonized saints! All Saints Day remembers those in heaven who aren't officially recognized as well, like your family member who died in a state of grace.

All Souls Day is a day we pray for and honor all of those who are departed and are still in purgatory.

It is especially important to pray for departed loved ones and for those who don’t have anyone to pray for them.

Let's take a moment to pray for them on all Soul's Day with this prayer:

Dear Lord,
Comfort us in our grief as we mourn
those no longer with us on earth.
Free those in purgatory quickly,
and guide us in Your will,
so that one day we may all be united
with You, for eternity.
Amen.

Should we as Catholics celebrate Halloween?

Absolutely! Hallowe'en comes from All Hallow's Eve which is the vigil celebration of All Saints Day. All Saints Day is a major feast day- which is meant to be celebrated with joyful celebration and merriment!

Do any ancient Catholic Hallowtide traditions lend themselves to modern day Halloween?

Yes, many: dressing up, trick or treat, and skeletons.

Can Catholics dress up?

The tradition of costumes on this day comes from Catholic French Immigrants who settled in America. They traditionally dressed up to celebrate deceased loved ones. They dressed up to honor the deceased but did not go as morbid or satanic characters. Dressing up as a Saint is a great option!

Is trick-or-treat rooted in Catholicism?

It is rooted in an old English tradition where kids would go door to door and offer to pray for a departed loved one in exchange for a treat. These treats were called “Soul Cakes” and were traditionally a cinnamon spiced pastry.

How do skeletons relate to Hallowtide traditions?

In medieval times, Catholic churches would display the bones and relics of Saints to be prayed upon during Hallowtide. Back in those days death wasn't looked at fearfully. It was looked at as a reality and an incentive to live a holy life.

How can we celebrate Hallowtide?

Attend Mass on all Saints' Day. You could use this day to come together with loved ones over a special meal. And remember to pray to the saints in heaven.

On All Souls Day visit a cemetery or graveyard and pray for the recently departed:

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”

If you are able, visit the cemetery each day from Nov 1- Nov 8 for the traditional Octave of All Saints found here!

Questions for a Catholic Priest

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:42:38 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Questions for a Catholic Priest

Sep 25, 2024

Questions for a Catholic Priest with Fr. Ron Serrao

Check out the video interview here!

Why do priests wear a white collar?

A: Priests and deacons will both wear white collars. But it can differ in color from country to country. Some priests even forgo the white collar and wear a white robe instead. However, the point of the robe or colored collar is to distinguish them as Catholic priests.

Why do priests wear black?

A: (laughs) Priests can wear other colors. It is just a common color for priests to wear, as it sticks out against the white collar and goes well with the white collar. Priests can wear other colors as well like blue, white, etc. But black is just the most common.

Why do Catholics go to confession?

A: Confession is one of the seven sacraments. Confession is also called reconciliation. Priests and bishops can both hear confessions. Jesus gave the authority to priests and bishops to act in the place of Christ to forgive the people for the sins they have committed. In this way, this sacrament is a celebration of Christ’s forgiveness for our human errors and of his love.

Are confessions kept confidential?

A: In short, yes. A confessional seal is the duty of a priest to not disclose anything they hear during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

What if they confess that they have harmed themselves or someone else?

A: We can guide them to seek help and to speak to a counselor. But if it is told during the sacrament of confession, it can not be reported due to the confessional seal.

Who do priests confess to?

A: Priests confess to other priests. They can do this whenever another priest is available and have ample opportunity at events such as retreats and clergy workshops.

How do you make holy water?

A: There is a blessing prayer that is performed on the water which then becomes holy. Any water that is pure and clean can be blessed for holy water.

Why don’t Catholic priests get married?

A: In the beginning, they were. Apostles had wives and children. As time went on, the Church decided priests should not marry. This gives them more time and availability to spend on the needs of the parishes and parishioners.. So it has changed over time. And it is a gift they accept to live.

Why do Catholic priests move?

A: Most dioceses have a term limit that moves priests every 5, 6, 7, or so years. They do this so priests get an opportunity to be missionaries in different places, and also so they don’t get so attached. However, that is changing now in some dioceses due to the lack of priests.

Why do priests take a vow of celibacy?

A: Times have changed since the Apostles who were married and had families. Priests give themselves completely to Jesus. The gift of celibacy allows priests to focus solely on their vocation.

Why can’t a female be a priest?

A: That’s a good question. Jesus’ Apostles were men and that is the way it has always been. I think we need to respect the history and norm of the Catholic Church until the Pope says differently. Women do tend to take a huge leadership role in the church as they run most of the ministries.

What advice would you give to a young person considering religious life?

A: There are many ways you can serve in the Catholic Church such as missionary priests, diocesan priests, religious brothers, and religious sisters (nuns). God is calling you to serve in many ways. There are also many ministries that can be served in. This is all in the glory of God. I would say to look at all your options. Talk to a priest and spend some time in prayer to see what option would be the best fit.

As pastor to the NLCC you have a lot to do and are very busy, but do you ever get lonely?

A: Yes. Sometimes I miss my family and I'm far away from them. But at the end of the day, I’m tired.

Do you ever wish you would have married or had children?

A: Maybe when I was young. But as I think back on my vocation of 32 years, I think this was the best choice for me. Married life and priestly life are both vocations. Wherever you end up, God is calling you to do your best.

What is the most challenging thing you do in your role as Pastor for the NLCC?

A: All the churches in the cluster and people within those churches are different. Everybody wants things done a little differently. At the end of the day, you can’t satisfy everyone. We have to do what we think is best for our churches, God, and our people.

From Sabbatical to Citizen

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:57:56 GMT

From Sabbatical to Citizen

Did you know what you wanted to be when you were in the 10th grade? Fr. Ron did. With parishes clustering and a shortage of priests, Fr. Ron is one busy man. He wears many hats and is often found running about after Mass to make it on time to his other priestly duties. Did you ever wish you had a few minutes to ask Fr. Ron about himself? Are you curious about where he grew up and how he found himself in America? Us too! We got him to sit down and discuss his childhood, seminary, and his least favorite American food- potato salad.

Fr. Ron grew up in a Catholic household in the port city of Mangalore on the Arabian Sea. His mother was a homemaker and his father worked as a taxi driver. His mother, sibling, and cousins also worked the land near the home to farm items such as rice, cashews, mangos, and vegetables. It’s common in India to live where there is ample work. For this reason, his father mainly lived and worked in Mumbai, about 17 hours away by car from his hometown. Because of this great distance, he was only home a few times a year. Although his father was missed, he has fond memories of being surrounded by his brother and cousins. Fr. Ron was born and raised Catholic and attended Mass regularly growing up.

He was a very active kid in school, staying busy with schoolwork and sports such as cricket, soccer, and basketball. When he was in the 10th grade he attended a vocation camp. After much self-reflection, prayer, and discussing his decision over with his parents, he went into seminary in the 10th grade. He went on to study in the seminary for 13 years where his favorite subjects were theology and sociology. He graduated with a Masters in sociology. He was ordained in 1992 and has remained in the priesthood ever since.

He moved around India and even into other countries, learning new dialects and languages almost everywhere he preached. In his early priesthood, he found himself in Calcutta where he met Mother Theresa. This is still one of his most cherished memories. He preached in India for 14 years before coming to the United States with another priest on sabbatical. That was in 2008 and he is still here today. He originally landed in Somerset Wisconsin and was only meant to stay for 2 years. He had a change of heart after his two years were up and decided to remain in the United States because of the great need for priests in this country.

It takes a big heart to follow your calling to a new country. Amongst his biggest culture shocks were the snow, bittercold temperatures, lack of spice in the food, and what we get away with calling “salads” in the country–potato salad and coleslaw to name a few. He misses his family and his mom’s cooking. But his vocation serves a bigger purpose. His goal is to preach love and compassion every day and to always remain connected and available to past and current parishioners. He wants everyone to remember that even though we are so different as humans, we share a common connector, and that is wanting to get into heaven.

Amongst his favorite priestly duties include celebrating the sacraments. He gets great joy being part of milestones and sharing that love and connection with Christ and the families who celebrate with him. When he is going through a hard time himself, he makes sure to spend time in quiet and time in prayer, asking God to show him the way. He finds great solace and enjoyment in the psalm “Shepherd Me O God”.

Fr. Ron aims to remind parishioners who have fallen away or people who are looking at becoming Catholic that he is always open to discussing the faith and that process with you. His biggest piece of advice for anyone on their faith journey is to just show up. Come to church and experience Mass for yourself, take time in prayer, and reach out to a local priest or Catholic friend to start that discussion. There is no better time than today to reconnect to your local church or start your own journey of faith.