St Lawrence – Sacred Heart

Recently I learned that a distant relative died back in July. I haven’t seen her in over ten years. This news has caused me to reflect on many things, most especially, “Did she have a happy death?” Although some deaths are easier than others, a happy death in the Catholic tradition has less to do with our bodily needs and everything to do with our spiritual ones.

 

I found this lovely definition by Judy Roberts, “For those who embrace the Catholic faith, dying a good death means being spiritually ready and in the good graces of the Church. Ideally, such preparation occurs daily and spans a lifetime, involving regular attendance at Mass, receiving the sacraments, and being reconciled with others.” In the same article, Fr. Christopher Monturo, writes, “All Catholics can prepare for such a death simply by attending Mass each week. Every Mass, every liturgy, in a very real way brings our attention to those ‘four last things’ — death, judgment, heaven, and hell. If you listen carefully and enter into the prayers of the Mass, especially the eucharistic prayer, but also the prayer of the faithful, the readings, and very often the music, all our liturgy comes together to really direct our attention from the world to eternity.”

 

The Catholic Church is trying to prepare us for our inevitable transition from this world to the next. Consider the Hail Mary prayer that we say so regularly. It appeals to Our Blessed Mother to, “…pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” I have heard many stories of dying people who see Jesus, Mary, saints and angels at their bedsides. I have to believe that the joy of those visions must supersede any pain the person might be feeling.

 

Seeing a priest at the end and receiving the last sacraments is essential. When my mother died, she was not able to talk or swallow, so she couldn’t give her confession or receive Communion, but she was anointed. After that sacrament, the priest told my sister and I that her soul was as clean as a newborn baby. She was a faithful woman, but it is very comforting to hear those words. Unfortunately, my recently deceased relative was not Catholic and would not have had the opportunity to receive final graces from the Last Rites. Let us be grateful for the sacraments that Jesus gave the Catholic Church and take full advantage of them now and at the hour of our death.

 

Scripture: Read Joshua 1:9. What stands out?

 

Call to Action: St. Joseph is the Patron of a Happy Death. Pray for his intercession that your death will be happy too.

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Sacred Heart

414 Haviland Dr, Patterson, NY

All Saints Day

October 31
5:15 PM Sacred Heart

 

All Souls Day

November 2
9:00 am Mass of All Souls at St. Lawrence
will be offered for all the faithful departed of St. Lawrence & Sacred Heart Parishes

Blessing of the graves
St. Lawrence Cemetery
10:30 AM – 12 noon
Deacon Mark

Regular Schedule


Sunday

10:30 am Mass

Monday-Friday
9:00 am Rosary

Monday
6:30 pm Rosary via Zoom

For Assistance Call
(845) 279-4832

Saint Lawrence O'Toole

31 Prospect St, Brewster, NY

All Saints Day

October 31
6:30 PM St. Lawrence
7:30 PM Spanish

 

November 1 (No confessions)
7:30 AM St. Lawrence
8:30 AM St. Lawrence
7:00 PM St. Lawrence

 

All Souls Day

November 2
9:00 am Mass of All Souls – St. Lawrence
will be offered for all the faithful departed of St. Lawrence & Sacred Heart Parishes

 

Blessing of the graves
St. Lawrence Cemetery
10:30 AM – 12 noon
Deacon Mark

   

Regular Schedule

Saturday
5 pm Mass
7:30 pm Mass en Español

Sunday
8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am Mass
12:30 pm Mass en Español
5:30 pm Mass 

Monday-Friday
8:30 am Daily Mass

First Friday
7 pm Mass, Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Exposition

Monday – Friday
7:45 am Rosary

 

Monday
6:30 pm Rosary via Zoom

 

Saturday
8:30 am Rosary

For Assistance Call
(845) 279-2021

Watch Online

9:30 am Sunday & Holy Day Masses plus Seasons of Praise, check calendar for dates & times

Saint Lawrence O'Toole

31 Prospect St, Brewster, NY

Confession

Monday
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm 

 

Friday
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saint Lawrence O'Toole

31 Prospect St, Brewster, NY

Divine Mercy Chapel
Perpetual Adoration

 

For Assistance Call
(845) 279-2021