October 29, 2025

What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatred rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family. We can eradicate these ills only through a firm reliance on God, through a deeper devotion to Christ and the Gospel, through a sincere love for persons reflected in law, and through a renewed commitment to justice and public order.

We are living through a perilous moment. Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters.

Bishop Michael Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington, VA



Dear Parishioners,

Today we continue to celebrate the communion of saints – one of the fruits of Christ’s death and resurrection – now turning our attention to the souls of the faithful departed. Whereas yesterday we focused on the souls, known or unknown to us, whom Christ has welcomed to the heavenly wedding banquet, today we focus on the souls who are in purgatory, being purified and made ready to enter into the presence of the glory of God. Yesterday we rejoiced with the saints and asked for their prayers before the throne of God, and today we remember and offer our prayers for the souls of the faithful departed. We lift up in prayer not only our deceased family members but also all the souls in purgatory who have no one left to remember them. 

Such words might seem sad or depressing, but they should not be. To the contrary, they should fill us with hope and comfort. For one day we, too, will have met our own death and will have no one left to remember us. The thought of being forgotten is something that can be troubling. But it should not trouble those of us who have faith in Christ – those of us who are part of the communion of saints. Because we know, and today reminds us, that we will never be forgotten. The Church will continue to remember us – continue to pray for us and our loved ones if we are in purgatory – for as long as necessary. 

This union we enjoy in Christ invites us to do more on behalf of the faithful departed. Often in our Christian life, we focus our attention on reflecting on what we do, don’t do, could do, for those around us – family, friends, strangers. And that is an aspect of the spiritual life that is, of course, important. But we sometimes forget that we can also do something on behalf of our loved ones who are no longer with us. We can offer prayers for them, most especially offer a Mass for them, to ease their time in purgatory. We can also offer spiritual sacrifices for them – for example, when faced with those things we know we must do but really don’t like doing, we can offer that burden for the good of a soul in purgatory and bear it with grace and charity. 

As Jesus himself tells us, it is the will of the Father that all who believe in him may have eternal life. Today we pray that the Father’s will be done and that the souls of the faithful departed may enjoy eternal life with God.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly



The SPECIAL All Souls Day envelopes, where you are free to write your deceased loved ones names on, will be placed next to the Tabernacle for the whole month of November, and your loved ones will be remembered at all of the Masses for the month.

These envelopes should be placed in the collection basket before November 2nd!

This year, All Souls falls on a Sunday, so please be mindful to use the correct envelope that day for your normal Sunday contribution. It is the basic envelope with the date, not the SPECIAL envelope where you may write names on. This will help the Sunday counters in their counting of the collections.




On Sunday, November 2 at 4:30 PM, we will celebrate a special Mass in remembrance of all those parishioners who were called home to the Lord this past year. At this Mass, these recently deceased parishioners will be remembered in a special way. All are welcome to attend.



The evening men’s group will meet this Thursday in the parish center. Our topic will be, “Ten brutal signs you’re not as humble as you think you are,” based on a brief video by Fr. David Michael Moses. Doors open at 7:45 PM, meeting starts at 8:00 PM. All men are welcome!



We invite you to join the Saints Peter and Paul community in honoring the Sacred Heart in Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM. 

Concluding at 8:00 PM, this First Friday Holy Hour will consist of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, the Litany of the Eucharist.

In the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta:

“When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how
much Jesus loved you then, when you look at the
Sacred Host, you understand how Jesus loves you”



Father Monica's Faith in Action students from Bishop Shanahan will be selling Holy Cannoli after Masses on November 8,0.

The cost is $15 for 6 and they will only be accepting cash.

All proceeds will support the travel expenses of these students to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis at the end of the month.

Thank you for your support!




The Liturgy of the Word. Father Alar tells us about the first big section of the Mass, after the Introductory Rite. There are FOUR readings:

1. First Reading – From the Old Testament; foretells the coming of Christ.

2. Responsorial Psalm – From the Book of Psalms; a response to the First Reading, which also connects the First and Second Readings.

3. Second Reading – Usually the Epistles (letters from Saints Peter or Paul).

4. Gospel –The Gospel must be proclaimed by a priest or deacon.

a. Before the priest proclaims the Gospel, he bows and says “Cleanse my heart and my lips, Almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.” If a deacon proclaims the Gospel, he receives a blessing from the priest who recites similar words for the deacon.

b. The Gospel Acclamation precedes the Gospel: we sing the joyful word “Alleluia!” We stand as a sign of respect to hear the words of Christ.

c. The celebrant says “The Lord be with you.” We reply “And with your Spirit.” We make the sign of the cross on our forehead, lips, and heart (opening our minds, using our lips to share, and declaring our belief with our heart) while we reply “Glory to you, O Lord.”

d. Jesus is the LIVING WORD: The FATHER speaks the WORD; the WORD is the SON; the SON comes forth by the breath of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Next week: The Liturgy of the Eucharist. Please arrive 8 minutes early to be here for the video presentation – don’t miss it!

(This video series has been condensed and excerpted from Father Chris Alar’s “The Mass Explained – Explaining the Faith” video, with permission.)




Each November, Saints Peter and Paul will support a needy parish within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

This November we will support St. Martin de Porres

Catholic Church in North Philadelphia. St. Martin is a mission parish and beacon of hope in their North Philadelphia community.

The parish was created in 1993 with the consolidation of several parishes in North Philadelphia. As a result of the consolidation and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parish lost many parishioners.

As a mission parish, St. Martin is focused on revival of its parish community through evangelization.

Inspired by their patron saint, Saint Martin de Porres, the parish strives to welcome everyone regardless of race or background and to attend to the needy in their community.

In addition to liturgical ministries, St. Martin provides significant community outreach ministries including a food pantry, various prayer ministries, and collaborates with an IMS parochial school by providing Mass and spiritual support for the students and teachers.

The parish needs upgrades to their worship space, resources to support their new children’s prep program, and support to expand their outreach into the community.

Please be as generous as you can with both your prayers for St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and your donations.

Fr. Wilfred, the pastor will be with us the weekend of November 8,9, to speak on the parish’s behalf.