From the Pastor November 1/2

The Next New Thing

You might be surprised what I hear people talking about while I stand by the church doors after Mass. A while ago I heard two couples chatting. They seemed to be acquaintances who hadn’t seen each other for a while. They were discussing personal information and catching up on the lives of each other’s children. One mother made the comment that her son was trying to start up an “AI” company.

AI or artificial intelligence is all the rage. It has the possibility to help make life better. If you ask it about a topic, it can offer information that is often more impartial than most news outlets. It also can be a serious threat to jobs and other economic activity. 

The Catholic Church often expresses concern about new developments in the world and gets criticized for being too conservative with regard to them. Often that concern has been proved legitimate. Pope Leo XIV is reported to be very concerned about the dangerous effects unregulated AI can inflict on the world. There is speculation he will address them in a future encyclical letter.

The Pope addressed the dangers of new social ills in a talk for the Jubilee of Popular Movements and the Fifth World Meeting of Popular Movements on October 23. A press article reported that Pope Leo in the address said, “Too often when society looks at the “new things” of the day, it looks at “what’s new for the privileged, the powerful and the financially secure, like “autonomous vehicles, high-end mobile phones, cryptocurrencies and such things.”

Pope Leo’ cautions need to be heeded. The Law of Unforeseen Consequences is an unyielding one. Without some thoughtful reflection on all the ramifications brought on by “new things” serious harm has been and will be inflicted in the future. Before we rush into anything new in our world or our personal lives take time for prayerful reflection and listen to the wisdom of God. 

We Did It!

A generous donor challenged fellow parishioners to match dollar for dollar a donation of $50,000 to the “Unless the Lord Builds” 2025 Capital Campaign. As of Monday, the challenge has been met with gifts of $51,896.45 given and we still had four days to go until the end of the month. Thank you to parishioners who responded to the challenge. The 2025 Capital Campaign has so far received donations and pledges of $XXXX. Our goal is to raise $750,000. 

Proceeds from the Capital Campaign will be used for various capital improvements to the parish facilities. The largest project will be replacing the cedar shingles, at a cost of $350,000, on Holy Redeemer with siding to match the new addition. The siding is made of a composite material that will last much longer than the shingles. Replacement windows for the Rectory and cosmetic improvements at Our Lady of Grace and the Rectory are also planned. The last big ticket item is improvements to the Holy Redeemer Lot. Please prayerfully reflect on your making a truly sacrificial gift to the 2025 “Unless God Builds the House” Capital Campaign. 

Ministry Fair On the Calendar

Plan to join us next weekend November 8-9, for the Holy Redeemer Parish Ministry Fair. We are building a great parish here at Holy Redeemer and so many people are involved, but we want you involved too. There are so many ways to become active in our church. People are active volunteers as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Choir members, and Greeters. Some are active in the Woman’s Club, Bereavement Group and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Small Faith Sharing Group are a major way to become more active in the parish community. Over the last year we have organized a Building Maintenance Squad and Gardening Ministry. We are setting up a Knitting Ministry this year. There is a place where everyone in the parish can contribute to making Holy Redeemer even better. Come to the Fair! Refreshments will be served. 

November Book of the Dead

November is the traditional month for Catholics to pray for the souls of the faithfully departed. Annually the parish compiles a Book of the Dead listing the names of parishioners who died last year and those of our faithful departed. Parishioners recently were sent a letter and All Souls Envelopes to compile a list of our faithfully departed to include in the Book of the Dead. The book will be reverenced with incense at the beginning of weekend Masses throughout November. You are asked to donate at least $1 per name. Envelope proceeds will be donated to the Chatham Children’s Fund. Envelopes can be dropped in the collection basket or sent to the Parish Office. 

Euthanasia Is Not the Answer

Several states have already legalized euthanasia using benign sounding expressions like “Death with Dignity.” Death with dignity happens when the dying are able to receive love and care as they progress toward eternal life. Last year legislation to legalize euthanasia in Massachusetts nearly passed in our legislature. It will be proposed again soon. Get to know the truth about the evil of euthanasia and its adverse effects of societies that have legalized it.

“Palliative care and hospice are precious and crucial instruments in the care of patients with serious and complex chronic or terminal illnesses, and they help provide comfort to both the patients and their families. While palliative care cannot entirely eradicate suffering from people’s lives, it provides an authentic expression of human and Christian care—allowing us to ‘remain’ at the side of a suffering person, as the Blessed Mother and the beloved disciple remained at the

foot of the Cross…The path of accompaniment until the moment of death must remain open, with appropriate care for body and soul customized to the personal needs of the patient.”

USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities “The Witness of the Good Samaritan: Palliative Care and Hospice”

Advent Woman’s Retreat

Several women of the parish have found the Advent Women’s Retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River very spiritually enriching. It is being held again this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Corpus Christi Church, E. Sandwich from 9 am-2:30 pm. Featured presenters will Catherine DiNuzzo, international speaker and Licensed Professional Counselor, podcaster, and author Allison Gingras, well known to Holy Redeemer parishioners, and Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder Catholic musician and songwriter. Cost for the day is $20 per person. That includes Morning Mass, Continental breakfast, Lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/AWR2025.