Thank you, Justin. I'm sure you know that the day

commemorates all the uncanonized saints as well as those with whom we're familiar, including our loved ones who went before us.
I like the hymn you've chosen, but suggest another appropriate one for today would be
"The Saints Go Marching In".

Too much history, maybe.

Although it's usually my custom to defend priests when their frailties are criticized, this sounded like whining by this particular priest and sort of irritated me, thus my long response. I usually defend them because I believe it's a harder life than most of the laity realize - the loneliness, the criticism by laity over petty things - "he's not a good speaker", etc. They cannot be all things to people in the parish, but often they are expected to be just that, more especially when there is only one resident priest per parish, where there were formerly two or more.

Most of us are trying to do the best we can with our particular life circumstances, and this priest didn't seem to get that. When we 'church-shop', there's a reason, or even a personal need for it. I can't stand someone who's not in my shoes or even knows my circumstances to issue large, general statements.

Rug, my husband died over three years ago. Thank you for your thoughts.
By the way, I appreciate your efforts to constantly provide DUers in this group with news and food for thought.

Thank you. I needed that! nt

I think you are in the wrong group here on DU.

I personally love these photos of Pope Francis and the little boy in yellow.
I believe his name is Didier; he is an orphan from Colombia, adopted by an Italian family.
Apparently, adoptees were invited to this Family event, and the children were seated in the first row, the parents were further back. That explains how this winsome child wandered onto the podium with the Pope.

I have seen much of the video of Didier's time on the podium, including his climbing onto the papal chair.
It is all so charming and the talk of many throughout the world. It was even featured on the evening news a night or two ago.

I'm glad to know that. And offer you my sympathy on the loss

of your friend, under especially sad circumstances.

Was he from a culture that might consider suicide the honorable thing

to do under certain circumstances?

Different areas and different periods of life may draw one from one parish to another.

This is how it worked out for me:

1.When children were enrolled in the parish school, that was the local parish,where other Catholic children in the neighborhood also attended. During those years the parents are usually active in various programs,- PTA, festivals, Boy & girl scouts, etc. Other parents became friends; a community is established. When children are attending the parish school, the school obliges the parents to contribute regularly and to attend regularly, inasmuch as the parish at large contributes greatly to the maintenance of the school.

The family is likely to stay with the parish they have attended while the children attend high school and even college to encourage church attendance for the family as a group.

While my spouse was ill, I often attended Mass at other churches near the facility where he resided. Time was precious and I was just glad to find a nearby church to fulfill my obligation, while still maintaining ties with my long-time parish church.

Now alone, personal convenience of time has become more important to me than which church building I visit. While I in theory would like like to attend my home parish, I more frequently attend another church which accommodates my late hours of sleeping and rising. I call it my default church - when I'm running too late to attend the church in which I am a registered member, th one with the noon Mass serves me quite well. Meanwhile, I'm still supporting my "official" parish, as my offering is withdrawn automatically from my checking account.

Isn't that the truth?!

O'Connor and Colin Powell - so often lionized as though they were perfectly respectful people.

Have a safe trip, with a little bit

of relaxing thrown in.
A change of scenery is good every now & then.

You and twin stepped up to what sounds like a real mess.

You have the consolation of knowing that you were the mature responsible one when needed.