From the Pastor&

     Some people like the pumpkins in church for the feast of All Saints, others despised them!  Pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes, just like the saints.  What every pumpkin in church had in common was a carved cross and a votive light inside.  As Christians, as the baptized, we carry the cross of Christ in our lives and let the light of Christ shine forth& just like the pumpkins.
     The Christian religious has always used God's creation as symbols for the faithful.  Did you know& .
     The Peacock is a symbol of resurrection and immortality.  It was very common on the tombs of early Christians.  "Peacocks at Easter?" you say!  Not a bad idea.
     The Dolphin is a symbol of redemption, also found on ancient tombs. It is thought by some to be the most sophisticated and majestic of all marine life.  Ancient Christians used it as a religious symbol:  it carried the souls of the saved "across the sea" to the land of the blessed. A dolphin tank for funerals? OK!
      The Phoenix According to ancient Christian legends, this eagle-like bird lives to an age of 500 years.  Then it builds a nest of fragrant twigs and spices.  The sun starts a fire and the bird is consumed by the fire.  Then it rises from the ashes and lives another 500 years, and goes through this cycle again and again.  It is a symbol of everlasting life.
     The Pelican is a symbol of the Eucharist and redemption because of the ancient belief that the female pelican would rip open her breast to feed her young with her own blood, to avert their starvation in a famine.  In another legend, the pelican is an enemy of the serpent whose sting brings death to her young.  The mother pelican, mourning over her dead, incinerates herself, and her warm blood restores their lives.
     I grew up with this symbol of the pelican in my home parish in Hastings.  Holy Thursday Pelicans? 
     Trick or Treat?  The origin of this is from the middle ages when the poor begged for food on All Souls Day, and in return, would pray for the dead.  "Soul Cakes" was the name given to the doughnuts they received.  The circle made by the hole cut out of the center represents eternity, with no beginning or end. No wonder we serve doughnuts after mass! Why do we cover our mouths when we yawn?  In the Middle Ages there were those who thought and taught that the devil entered a person through the mouth, at the time of a yawn.  So naturally, when you yawn, you cover your mouth, or make the sign of the cross over it.  Sounds like good manners and even self-defense!!     Why is a horseshoe a symbol of good luck?  Legend has it that the devil approached St. Dunstan, known for his horseshoeing skills, and asked him to shoe his "single hoof."  The saint recognized his true identity, secured him fast and did the job, but inflicted so much pain in the process that the devil roared for mercy.  He was released on the condition that he would never enter a place where a horseshoe was displayed.  If you need luck with your SAT, lottery tickets, casino trips, whatever, bring your lucky horseshoe to church and Fr. Michael bless it for luck& or at least to keep evil away!
     How will the computer be used in Christian folklore and

symbolism?? And what about the swallow, shamrock, unicorn, snake, pomegranate, medals, grouse, haddock, Easter eggs, incense and candles?

Fr. Bill

P.S. Did anyone see my lucky rabbit's foot? 

Pastoral Ministry&
BEFRIENDER MINISTRY
NO BEFRIENDER TRAINING THIS WEEK DUE TO PARISH MISSION.

GROWING THROUGH LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT
Tuesday, November 16, 7pm, St. Odilia Catholic Church,      Shoreview. Final session: "MEMORIAL SERVICE"(all kinds of losses included).  The dictionary defines the word "memorial" as something that keeps remembrance alive.  As we conclude this Fall series of Growing Through Loss ,you are invited to join us and experience the ritual of a Memorial Service.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Those in our community who are ill:
Bea Kayser, John McAlpine, Irene Mitchell, Clarence Thole, Geraldine Shea,  Mary Ann DeMars, Linda Zappa, Kevin Keenan, Chris Fodness, Elvira Jacobson, LaVonne Hruby, Lois Leary, Walter Slatoski, Jerod Hawley, Bernadette Hearn. Henry Widmer, Donald Farnsworh, Irene DeBruzzi, Joe Koch, Ann Griffin, Ann Czech, Dan Sebesta, Beverly Stamfle, Lois Alberg, Mary Kay Utecht, Anne Neubauer, Sandra Zauner, Michael Kavanagh, Richard St. Germain, David Moser,        Bernard Bentler, Diane Ryan, John Battmer, Bill Miske, Dan McEvoy, Jacquie Evans, LeRoy Zamor, Mary Shea, Henry Horbatuck, Sr. Lois Wasielewski, James and Frances Vonasek, Marjorie Peterson, Infinity Duncan, Marlene Wresh, Marie Macho, Ruth White, Frank Gajeski, Phyllis Rech, Wanda Swanson, Susan Amos Palmer, Betty Kapala.

The families and souls of those who recently have died:
Angela Nelson, Joseph Rosenberger (father of Suzanne Dempsey)