Wednesday, 29 October 2025
All Souls Day -Year C - Sunday, 2 November 2025 (EPISODE: 553)
All Souls Day -Year C - Sunday, 2 November 2025 (EPISODE: 553)
Readings for All Souls Day- Year C
FIRST READING: Isaiah 25:6-9
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
SECOND READING: Romans 5:5-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:39). Alleluia, Alleluia! This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day.
GOSPEL: Luke 7:11-17 or John 20:11-18
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for All Souls Day Year C - Sunday, 2 November 2025 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-553-all/s-1nChF0IXtHY (EPISODE: 553)
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Faith, Hope and Love, the commemoration of all the faithful departed, All Souls Day.
This day of commemoration began early in the Middle Ages, with annual prayers for the dead in monastic communities. Fixed on this day, it spread more widely after the 10th century and now ranks with the principal feast days in the liturgical calendar.
Commonly known as All Souls, it expresses Christian faith in the communion of saints, and the real need and effectiveness of praying for one another in the church and including praying for those souls in purgatory who have been buried in their human imperfection.
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I could not think of a better person to commend our dear departed loved ones to, friends and colleagues, to the eternal care of, than the one who formed them with love, and walked with them every step of their life's journey, and loved them as a doting parent, that is, our God, God who is love. God created everything from the dust.
And we're told in the Scriptures, God never hates anything he created because he made it, and with love beyond all telling. We commend our departed loved ones, and all souls, to God, who understands us better than we even understand ourselves. It is God who knows every situation, every circumstance, every hardship, every context to all our actions and decisions, and every blessing and grace of each person's life.
God sees and knows everything that made us free to make the decisions we made in our lives, and God also saw all of the restrictions to our freedom to think and act as well. Amazingly, many times we don't see those factors in our lives clearly, even in the events of our own lives, because we're mortals. We act imperfectly, with imperfect vision and knowledge.
But God knows and sees it all, and allows for all of these factors. God has the whole picture and sees us with clear but loving eyes. God, who is all-compassionate, merciful, kind, loving and faithful.
In his earthly ministry, Jesus physically raised from the dead only a few people. And naturally, this astounding miracle, this exceptional miracle, was met with incredible wonder, awe, fear and amazement. But we know that the people he raised back to life, with compassion deep in his heart, would eventually go the way of all humans, and die again, hopefully this time after a long and happy life.
These rare incidents of Christ raising the dead, in his earthly ministry, show us the heart of God towards all of us who mourn. This heart is filled with unfathomable love and compassion. Our Lord himself knew what it was like to mourn the loss of loved ones.
His stepfather Joseph, whom he loved deeply, passed away at some time in his young life. It must have been a deep loss and sadness. He must have been tempted to raise him back up straight away.
But he did not. Instead, he entrusted him to his Heavenly Father, who is always faithful. He also wept at the death of Lazarus, even though he believed and knew in heaven and the ultimate resurrection of all the dead.
But he still keenly felt grief and loss, just like we all do. Our Lord knows what we mean when we are deeply grieving. Jesus says to each of us, I will raise you up anew to eternal life, to the fullness of life in heaven.
He promises this. He will not break this promise. Those few examples of physical resurrection, of which Christ himself is the absolute fullness of examples, these are a promise and a foretaste.
This poor widow who lost her only son. This son was raised up out of compassion, to remind everyone that God promises to raise up our bodies in the fullness of time. It also shows Christ's faithfulness, love and care for all who are bowed down by grief and loss.
God promises to fulfil his words to us. We too can join with those in the first reading who are claimed, see, this is the one in whom we trusted. It is God in whom we hoped.
And we were right to do so, for see, he has saved us. In life, and in the life of each one of us, we come across sadness, tragedies, loss and disaster, more times than we care to count. Some disasters are naturally occurring, freak incidents or accidents, or inexplicable developments.
And other disasters are tragically due to human action, mistakes, sins, negligence or malice. These are even harder to bear. Today's Feast of All Souls is a reminder that God is our faithful shepherd, a good and loving shepherd and parent who is never just content with saving the ninety-nine of the flock, but who will not rest and who keeps searching until the very last sheep is recovered and carried back on his shoulders to be reunited with everyone else.
Jesus shows us that it is right and good to keep trusting and hoping and praying, for God is truly faithful. God is gentle and kind and compassionate and understands our needs. Today we pray for all holy souls.
We're consoled and peaceful in the knowledge that we are praying and commending all these precious souls into the hands of the one who has the last loving say on everything.
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Prayers of intercession:
Gentle shepherd and eternal Lord, we trust in your loving compassion and mercy as we pray for our faithful departed. That all who have died in faith may come one day to the glory of eternal life.
We pray to the Lord that those who grieve may find understanding support in their time of need. We pray to the Lord that those who do not believe in God may come to know the hope the Lord brings. We pray to the Lord that those who suffer depression or anxiety may experience the Lord's merciful comfort and receive the help they need.
We pray to the Lord that those who are lonely may hope for a new life. We pray to the Lord.
Loving God, with confidence in your unconditional love, faithfulness and mercy, we make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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References:
Homily Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
All Souls Day Year C -(Sunday, 2 November 2025) (EPISODE: 553 )
2. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Joy and peace to everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather - Listen to God's Word and contemplate the sacraments. On this All Souls Day
As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy . You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:39). ). Alleluia, Alleluia! This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day.
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PREFACE:
Eucharistic Prayer 2
(theme variation: theme 1 )
(post version: v1-short)
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{15. Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}
1. Go forth; the Mass is ended.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:
Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.
Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)
Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai
{excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text}
[Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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Readings for All Souls Day- Year C
FIRST READING: Isaiah 25:6-9
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
SECOND READING: Romans 5:5-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:39). Alleluia, Alleluia! This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day.
GOSPEL: Luke 7:11-17 or John 20:11-18
Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for All Souls Day Year C - Sunday, 2 November 2025 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-553-all/s-1nChF0IXtHY (EPISODE: 553)
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Faith, Hope and Love, the commemoration of all the faithful departed, All Souls Day.
+++++
References:
Homily Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
2. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
{{Joy and peace to everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather - Listen to God's Word and contemplate the sacraments. On this All Souls Day
As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy . You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:39). ). Alleluia, Alleluia! This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE:
Eucharistic Prayer 2
(theme variation: theme 1 )
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{15. Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}
1. Go forth; the Mass is ended.
++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:
Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.
Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)
[Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Saturday Morning Solemnity - The Solemnity of All Saints - (Special) 2025
The Solemnity of All Saints - (Special) 2025
Readings for
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Revelation 7:2-4. 9-14
Psalm: Ps 23:1-6 "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face."
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:28 Come to me all you that labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1- 12
Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/OzQufYsohHPKMYOzeBLp?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for All Saints - First November, 2025 by clicking this link here
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* Prologue: The Feast of All Saints began in the East to commemorate all martyrs and was progressively adopted in the West. Celebrated on this day in the Eighth Century and soon widely observed throughout the world, honoured today are all holy women and men in glory with Christ, known or unknown, mighty or lowly, all whose lives were modelled on the beatitudes and on the great commandment of love. {FHL}
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The Feast of All Saints is the feast of all Christians. In fact, being a disciple of Jesus implies striving to be holy, as our Heavenly Father is holy. We're called to holiness, and we're called to be saints.
In fact, in the early church, the saint was the title used to describe all members of the Christian church, living and dead, since eternal life with Christ begins with baptism. So, eternal life has already begun, but not yet fully revealed. Matthew's Gospel tells us that those who are sensitive to the needs of the poor will enter the kingdom, and are already part of it.
The eight Beatitudes speak to us of the fundamental attitudes of Jesus' disciples and of all Christians. Disciples must totally trust God, that is, be poor in spirit. They must share the suffering of others, those who weep.
Just as the Lord is, so too we must be kind to others, to be meek. They must fervently want justice to reign in this world, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. And moreover, disciples must bear in their hearts the poor, the needy.
They must be ready to soften their hearts to those who are trying to turn back, the merciful. They must be consistent and upright in their lives, the pure in heart. They must do their best to establish peace as an outcome of justice, the peacemakers.
All of this means that they will be opposed by those who refuse to recognize the rights of others, persecuted for righteousness' sake. Matthew's Gospel goes on to put this into practical terms. Disciples are those who feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, and so on.
In other words, those who are committed in practical ways to the needy. The poor in spirit translate their love of God and of others by being united with the real poor in a material sense. In their actions for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed, they will encounter Jesus himself.
Whenever you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me, and encountering the Lord as grace. As Pope Saint John Paul II wrote, it's impossible to embrace the cause of the poor and in doing so verify our fidelity to Christ without causing hostility and resistance, without going through the great ordeal. Receiving the grace of being children of God involves creating practical and real friendships and justice in our society.
Having said this, we have known many people like this. We know them now, in our families, in our friends, colleagues, members of our communities, people who have modeled their lives, their attitudes and decisions on the Beatitudes. So they saw God as he really is and continue to see him in heaven.
This feast is especially for the unnamed saints. Officially proclaimed saints have their own special feasts and memorials, though of course they're included today as well. But this is especially the feast day of the saints not listed in earthly books, but certainly listed in God's book of life.
And we have known them, we've lived with them, we've been inspired by them, we hope to join them in heaven one day. Sometimes the practicality of the Beatitudes is illustrated best by contrast. Those who are puffed up and proud, those who are self-focused, those without empathy for others, those who refuse to be kind and gentle, those who make excuses for injustices when they could actually do something to help, those who are violent and ruthless to those who cry out for mercy, even when their predicament is sometimes their own making.
These people are not the ones who will inherit the kingdom. The kingdom is not inherited by those who crush others under their feet on their way to achieve their goals. They're not those who abuse and use others for their own selfish ends.
Nor are they the ones who have no concern for the plight of the poor, the outcast, the sinner, the needy. The ones who see no fraternity in people of other places, cultures, or situations, when in fact these people are truly our brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather, it's those who stand up for, and with those who call for justice and peace, who stand always in God's presence.
We thank and praise God for inspiring us by the close example of these wonderful lights of Christ in our own lives. May we continue to live these virtues in our own lives. The saints pray for us before the very face of God.
We are truly in wonderful company.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books. Pp. 278-9
Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/OzQufYsohHPKMYOzeBLp?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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Archive of homilies and reflections: homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
[ Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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