From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart.

All Souls Day | November 2nd

Take time to remember deceased family and friends and reflect on the promise of eternal life and the bonds that connect the living and the dead.

All Souls Day, observed on November 2nd by the Catholic Church, is a day to remember and pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially those in purgatory. It is a solemn commemoration where Catholics honor loved ones who have died, reflect on mortality, and enter heaven through prayer, Mass, and other sacrifices.

remembering the souls of the departed in the Mass

The Church had an early practice of remembering the souls of the departed in the Mass. This included inscribing their names on tablets. A version of this is in every Mass today, in the prayer the faithful departed in Christ known as the Memento of the Dead, as well as in the practice of offering Mass for particular individuals.

The celebration of a special day of Remembrance

The celebration of a special day began in some monasteries in the sixth century and by the tenth century spread to dioceses, becoming fixed in some places on November 2nd, the day after All Saints Day. The date was adopted in Rome in the 13th century. Commemoration of the faithful departed on the day is specifically dedicated to those who have died in God’s grace but are undergoing purification to enter heaven.

The commemoration is a reflection of the “communion of saints,” which includes the faithful on Earth, the souls in purgatory, and saints in heaven. Catholics believe they can help the souls in purgatory by praying for them, offering alms, and having Mass said on their behalf.

The feast offers hope and solace, emphasizing that God’s love is stronger than death. Many parishes hold extra Masses on this day. The readings and prayers focus on hope and the eternal life promised to the faithful. People often visit the graves of loved ones to pray, clean the headstones, and light candles as a symbol of hope, and offer specific prayers for the deceased, such as the “Eternal Rest Prayer” or the Rosary.

remember deceased family and friends

The church offers special indulgences for the souls in purgatory during a specific period, typically from November 1st to the 8th. Take time to remember deceased family and friends and reflect on the promise of eternal life and the bonds that connect the living and the dead.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 7, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 7, 2022

August 15th is an important and memorable day for all Catholics. It is the Feast celebrating the Assumption of our Blessed Mother. Learn More about the the theology and the catechism of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 31, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 31, 2022

St. John Vianney feast day is celebrated annually on August 4th St. John Marie Vianney was a priest who Pope Pius X proposed as a model and patron saint of all the priests because of his extraordinary devotion and life. A life which he committed to the church ministry. St. John Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786 …

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 24, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 24, 2022

Mass is God’s Food for Our Soul, come and partake. I am glad and delighted to witness many coming back to the church in person, which is great! I am looking forward to witnessing all our people back at the church. I thought maybe it would be good to do a little catechism as my thankfulness.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 17, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 17, 2022

A second collection for the Parish Projects will be the last weekend of July. Some of you were proposing to me to have a second collection for the Parish Project that we are undertaking. There are very many of you already supporting it. I thank each one of you for your love and support. No matter how big or small…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 10, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 10, 2022

Thank You for Your Continued Support of our church. I really want to thank each and everyone for your financial support. God bless you all! Thank you also to all those who are praying toward the completion of this project. Please continue to do so. I do understand that it’s a most trying of times now…

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