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Fr.
Charles
Puthota
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From
the Pastor's
Desktop
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A
Message from
Father Charles
Puthota
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November
16,
2025
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Dear
Parishioners of
St.
Elizabeth,
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Word
of God: 33rd Sunday in
Ordinary Time, Year
C: As we
approach the end of the
liturgical year, today's
readings turn our
attention to the end
times-not to fill us
with fear, but with hope
and perseverance. The
prophet Malachi warns of
a coming day that will
burn away evil but bring
healing and light to
those who revere God's
name. The end, then, is
not destruction for the
faithful, but
purification and
renewal. St. Paul
reminds the
Thessalonians to remain
steadfast in daily
responsibilities. Some
believers, expecting the
Lord's imminent return,
had grown idle. Paul
insists that authentic
faith is not escapism
but engagement: to work,
to serve, to build God's
kingdom in the present
moment. Holiness is
found not in speculation
about the future, but in
fidelity today.
In the Gospel, Jesus
foretells the
destruction of the
Temple and the trials
his followers will face.
Yet he reassures them:
"Not a hair of your head
will be destroyed. By
your perseverance you
will secure your lives."
The Christian response
to turmoil and
uncertainty is not
panic, but trust in
God's providence. Our
world, too, trembles
with wars, disasters,
and moral confusion.
Christ calls us to stand
firm, to witness with
courage and compassion,
confident that God's
justice and mercy will
triumph. The final word
is not fear but hope:
"The sun of
righteousness will rise
with healing in its
rays." Persevering in
faith, we await that
glorious dawn.
The World Day of
the Poor, 33rd Sunday in
Ordinary Time:
The World Day of the
Poor was established by
Pope Francis in 2016 at
the conclusion of the
Extraordinary Jubilee of
Mercy. It is celebrated
annually on the 33rd
Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The pope instituted it
to urge Christians to
encounter, listen to,
and serve the poor in
practical and heartfelt
ways. He called it a day
"to encourage believers
to react against a
culture of indifference
and waste." The World
Day of the Poor reminds
the Church that the face
of Christ is reflected
in the suffering and
needy, and true
discipleship demands
solidarity and
compassionate
action.
Advent
Retreat:
Saturday, December 6, is
parish Advent retreat.
Please see sign-up forms
in the church or in the
parish office.
Simbang Gabi, for
9 Days before
Christmas:
December 16 through 24
at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
Please be in touch with
the organizers of
Simbang Gabi: Gloria
Trinidad, May Devera,
and Beth Pasco. Please
do contact them for your
active participation and
sponsorship.
Thanksgiving Day
Mass and
Collection:
Thursday November 27,
Thanksgiving Day, Mass
will be at 9:00am. The
collection we will take
up at that Mass this
year will go to Gift of
Love, a hospice house
for homeless and poor
men with no families or
resources, run by
Missionaries of Charity,
(Mother Teresa sisters).
Mary's Titles in
the Vatican's 2025
Document Mater
Populi
Fidelis:
The Vatican's new
doctrinal note Mater
Populi Fidelis (
Nov. 4, 2025) offers
guidance on the proper
understanding of Mary's
titles. The document
discourages calling Mary
"Co-Redemptrix,"
explaining that Christ
alone is Redeemer of
humanity. It also limits
the use of "Mediatrix of
All Graces" if it
implies equality with
Christ's mediation.
Titles such as
"Mediatrix" and
"Advocate" are
acceptable when
understood as
expressions of Mary's
maternal intercession
within the one mediation
of Christ. The Church
encourages renewed use
of titles emphasizing
her faith and
motherhood: Mother of
the Faithful People of
God, Mother of
Believers, Spiritual
Mother, and
Mother of the
Church. Mary remains
the model
disciple-humble
"Handmaid of the
Lord"-whose example
strengthens the Church's
faith and unity.
Tuesday, November
18, Feast of the
Dedication of the
Basilicas of Saints
Peter and Paul:
This feast honors the
two great pillars of our
faith. Peter, the rock
upon whom Christ built
His Church, and Paul,
the fearless apostle to
the nations, remind us
that the Church stands
firm on faith and
mission. These basilicas
in Rome are not only
monuments of stone but
symbols of living faith
built on Christ Himself.
As we honor Peter's
steadfastness and Paul's
zeal, we are reminded to
renew our own commitment
to be strong witnesses,
proclaiming the Gospel
with courage and love in
our world today.
Friday Feast of
the Presentation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
November 21:
This feast, recalling
the traditional view
that Mary, as a young
girl, was dedicated to
God in the temple,
symbolizes her total
openness to God's will
and her lifelong
readiness to serve.
Chosen to be the Mother
of the Savior, Mary's
early consecration
prepared her for her
"yes" at the
Annunciation. Her
example invites us to
offer ourselves
completely to God,
trusting His plan with
humble faith. In Mary's
purity, obedience, and
devotion, we find the
model of true
discipleship and the
perfect response to
God's love and
calling.
Feast of St.
Cecelia, Saturday
November 22,
2025: Saint
Cecilia, virgin and
martyr, is the patroness
of sacred music. Though
forced into marriage,
she remained faithful to
Christ and sang to God
even as she faced death.
Her courage and joy in
suffering reveal a heart
completely attuned to
divine love. Saint
Cecilia reminds us that
every life can become a
song of praise when
lived for God. Like her,
we can also raise our
voices and hearts to
glorify the Lord in our
words and deeds.
Pearly
Gates Humor: 1.
What the lifelong
atheist said when he
reached the Pearly
Gates. I'll be damned!
2. A man walks up to the
pearly gates. Saint
Peter asks, "How did you
get here?" The man
answers, "Flu." 3. A guy
ends up at the pearly
gates and St Peter
welcomes him by
congratulating him for
being the first man to
live to 350 years of
age. The guy is
confused, I think you
have got the wrong guy,
I never lived that long.
St Peter replies, Yeah
it's you, we worked it
out from your IT
contracting time
sheets.
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