The month of October is at the doorstep, and we look forward to it for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a Marian month. The Marian-ness of the month is connected with Fatima. The last apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima in 1917 occurred on October 13, and on account of this, October became closely associated with our Mother Mary.
As the Blessed Mother was disappearing from the physical view of the three children on this day of her last apparition, the radiation of her light caused the sun to change color and to spin. This miracle of the sun was witnessed by many people. Mother Mary laid emphasis on the need for prayer, penance and conversion for all. These three points of emphasis are highlighted in our October devotions.
The October devotion to Mary is also intimately connected with the additional devotion to St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Usually, Joseph receives less attention as far as devotion is concerned. However, thanks to Pope Francis, the name of Joseph is at least mentioned more than before in the liturgy. The Church encourages all of us this month to at least say the prayer to St. Joseph together with the Rosary and litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Sunday, October 5, at 5 pm the youth ministry in our Parish wants to launch itself to the life of our community by organizing a rosary procession at our Church and they are inviting every parishioner to come and join them to honour Mary and Joseph. They want to entrust our parish and every family and person in our parish, our country, and all the needy in the world to God through the intercession of Mary and Joseph. This is the first time we are getting such an invite from the young adults in our parish.
On Sunday, October 19, the Arizona Rosary Celebration will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this celebration. The Legion of Mary in our parish is promoting this celebration and our parish is supportive of them and grateful to them too.
The great Fall Festival of St Gregory’s parish takes place this month from October 24-26. This three-day event plays an important role in the life of our parish. It brings us together as parishioners, friends, and neighbors, and affords us the opportunity of interacting and celebrating as a family. It is also an opportunity to raise some funds to support the growth of our parish. May God bless us all in October and always as we participate in the major events of the month.
-Fr Bona