REV. FR. CHANDRA ERY

CATHOLIC LAKES CLUSTER

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
As the last golden leaves fall around our lakes and the first quiet snow touches our fields, we enter November - the month the Church gives us to remember, to give thanks, and to hope.
 
November begins with our eyes lifted to Heaven. On All Saints Day, we remember that holiness is not just for a few of us - it is for all of us. For farmers, teachers, mothers, children of Polk County. The saints were ordinary people who did ordinary things with extraordinary love. And on All Souls Day, we lower our eyes in love to pray for our dearly departed - our parents, your spouses, our friends, our parishioners who sat in these same pews. Bring their names. Light a candle. We do not say goodbye, we say: "till we meet again." In this month, our cemeteries become gardens of hope.
 
November also ends our Church year. The readings will speak of the end of time, but do not be afraid. Christ is King. He holds our little towns and our big worries in His hands.
 
And then, at the end of the month, we will light the first candle of Advent. But before the rush of Christmas, November teaches us the most American and most Christian virtue: Gratitude.
 
As we gather for Thanksgiving, let us thank God not only for turkey and harvest, but for each other. Thank you for your faith. Thank you for keeping our three parishes alive - St. Joseph (STJ) in Amery, Our Lady of the Lakes (OLL) in Balsam Lake, and St. John the Baptist (STJB) in Clear Lake. Thank you for every casserole, every prayer, every dollar, every hour you give so quietly.
 
My prayer for you this November:
 
May the Saints cheer you on,
May the Souls you pray for intercede for you,
May Christ the King reign in your homes,
And may your Thanksgiving table be full of laughter, forgiveness, and love.
 
If you are grieving this month, please, feel free to stop by either of the offices, Tuesday & Wednesday at OLL from 9 am to Noon, Thursday from 8:30 am to 10:15 am at STJB and the rest is at STJ to see me, I will cherish to do that for you all, you are not alone. The Church is your family.
 
Let us walk through November together - remembering with love, giving thanks with joy, and hoping with unshakeable faith.
 
With all my priestly love and blessings,
 
Rev. Fr. Chandra Ery
Your Priest