“Almighty, ever-living God, by whose gift we venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray, through the prayers of so many intercessors, an abundance of the reconciliation with you for which we earnestly long. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.” catholicculture.org+1
(For both catechumens and the baptized)
Lord God,
You call each of us out of the well of our sins and into the light of your truth.
Grant that we may hear your voice — even when we’re too busy watching sheep, oxen, or scrolling through our phones —
and have the courage to drag ourselves, or someone else, out of the well of indifference.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
You stand with us even when the world seems stacked against us—yes, even when it feels like we’re surrounded by “foxes” and prophets being stoned. Grant us courage to stand firm in your love, wisdom to see your hand at work, and humour to laugh when we realise we’re not on the winning side by human standards, but we’re on your side.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know we’re a motley crew — some of us still hit “snooze” more than “pray”, some of us are new to the faith, others seasoned yet still bewildered. Be with us now: open our ears to your Word, open our hearts to your truth, and maybe open our sense of humour just a little so we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Guide the catechumens among us, bless the faithful, and let us come away a little less weary, a little more alive. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
You built Your household with the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and set Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. On this Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, you call us not as strangers but as full citizens of Your Kingdom. Open our hearts to receive this invitation. Help us to live in unity with one another, in humility, obedience and love, that our lives may proclaim Your glory throughout Singapore and beyond. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13, ESV) BibleRef.com+2dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com+2
In the Catholic-edition of this letter (and in commentary) this verse introduces a set of instructions about how Christians respond in all circumstances. Working Preacher from Luther Seminary
Lord Jesus,
You call us to live by the Spirit, not by our old ways.
Today I come before you, acknowledging my weaknesses and burdens.
Free me from what binds me.
Help me to live as your child, confident in your love and mercy.
Open my heart to your healing presence and guide me in your life.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with faith and trust. You are my refuge and strength, my protector and deliverer.
If there are any evil spirits or harmful powers working against me or my loved ones,
I ask You, Lord, to break their influence and destroy every curse, spell, or dark force in Jesus’ name.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (USCCB) Bible Hub+3USCCB+3Bible Gateway+3
(Sometimes rendered: “Be strong and courageous in your hearts, all you who place your hope in the Lord.”) Bible Gateway+1
Heavenly Father,
You have set us free in Christ, and you call us to live in the Spirit, not the flesh. Open our hearts, cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, that we may ascend your holy mountain and bear fruit worthy of the Gospel. Grant us courage to examine our lives honestly, to repent where we fail, and to grow in love and service. For we ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A sacrament is a visible sign instituted by Christ through which we receive invisible grace. Archdiocese of Southwark+2CatholicTV+2
In other words: it’s like a “ritual checkbox” in your faith-life app — but it actually does something spiritually (not just a tick).
Lord Jesus, you who are honest about the human mess we all are, open our minds and hearts today. May we laugh at our follies (so we don’t cry) and trust your grace to fix what’s busted. Amen.
Lord Jesus,
thank you for calling us out of “sin-servitude” and into the freedom of your friendship. Help us not just to hear your Word but to live it — even when it gets uncomfortable. Grant us the courage to stand for what is right, to bear your fire of love, and to trust the gift of eternal life you offer. Amen.
Jesus says:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” Bible Study Tools+3Radical+3Working Preacher from Luther Seminary+3
In other words: There are lots of people who need God’s love, guidance, hope (the “harvest”), but relatively few people willing (or equipped) to help bring them in (the “labourers”). GotQuestions.org+1
First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 USCCB+1
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 — “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” USCCB+1
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Catholic Gallery+1
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector) USCCB+2Catholic Gallery+2
At death the soul is separated from the body. “The spiritual soul of each person is immortal; it does not perish when it separates from the body at death.” Catholic Answers+2catholicculture.org+2
The Catechism says: “Death is the end of earthly life … our lives are measured by time … death seems like the normal end of life.” catholicculture.org+1
Classic dark-humour way: yes, one day the final power-off happens — no cheat-codes, no “undo”, just you and God.
Psalm 34 : 19 (NRSV)
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.”
First Reading: Romans 6:12-18 — “Your body is no longer a playground for sin.” The Divine Lamp+3USCCB+3Catholic Daily Readings+3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 124:1b-3,4-6,7-8 — “Our help is in the name of the Lord.” USCCB+1
Gospel: Luke 12:39-48 — The parable of the steward and the master’s unexpected return. Catholic Gallery+2ocarm.org+2
Alleluia Verse: Matthew 24:42a,44 — “Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.” Catholic Online+1
“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.’” (Judges 6:12 ESV) Bible Hub+2Bible Study Tools+2
In the Douay-Rheims (Catholic) translation: “The angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said: The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men.” Bible Hub+1
First Reading: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 — “Just as through one man sin entered into the world… yet much more the grace of God has abounded.” Catholic Gallery+2Catholic Daily Readings+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 — “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” Catholic Gallery+1
Gospel: Luke 12:35-38 — “Gird your loins and light your lamps … ready to open immediately when the master comes and knocks.” USCCB+2Catholic Gallery+2
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
“By grace”: God’s unmerited favour. We did nothing to deserve the rescue. GotQuestions.org+2Bible Hub+2
“Through faith”: We respond, we trust. We don’t earn it, but we accept it. BibleRef.com
“Not of your own doing… gift of God”: It emphasises that salvation is not something we generate or barter for; it’s God’s work. Bible Hub+1
“Not by works, so that no one may boast”: If it were by works we could brag. But since it is by grace, the credit belongs to God. Catholic Answers+1
What it means (Catholic framing): In Christianity (and especially Catholic theology) the claim is that God Himself became human in the person of Jesus Christ — not just a messenger or an avatar or enlightened teacher, but God-with-us. This is a big deal because it means salvation isn’t just “be good / learn the secrets” but involves God entering human history.
The Church teaches that there is one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network+2The Catholic Diocese of Tyler+2
“Person” here doesn’t mean what it does in everyday speech (i.e., “he / she / it”) in a simple way. In theology it means each “Person” is a distinct who, not merely a role or mask.
They share the same divine nature — so they are fully God — yet each Person is distinct from the others. “The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God; yet we do not speak of three Gods, but only one God.” EWTN Global Catholic Television Network+1
From Universalis:
First Reading: Romans 4:20-25 — “We believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead…” Universalis+2Catholic Online+2
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 — “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.” Catholic Online+1
Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 — The parable of the rich man and his barns. Universalis+1
Catholics believe Mary has a special role as the “Mother of God” (since she bore Christ) and as part of the “communion of saints” — the idea that the faithful on earth, saints in heaven, and Christ Himself form one spiritual family. Catholic Answers+2Ascension+2
So when a Catholic prays to Mary, it’s not worship of her (which is reserved for God) but asking Mary to intercede for them — i.e., “Hey Mom, please ask God for me.” LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth+1
They’ll point to examples like in John 2:3‑11 where Mary “mentions” a problem (wine ran out) and Jesus changes water to wine — Catholics see this as Mary’s intercession working. Catholic Stand+1
A simple analogy: If you can ask a friend on earth to pray for you, why not ask someone in heaven? Mary is seen as “in heaven” and thus closer to God, so maybe better heard. Ascension+1
Another key point: They still believe Jesus is the mediator between God and humans. Mary isn’t the mediator — Jesus is. Mary is an intercessor. Catholic Answers+1
Catholic teaching holds that the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic (see the Nicene Creed). The “apostolic” part means the Church is founded on the Apostles and continues their mission. Vatican+2Catholic Answers+2
Because the Apostles received their mission from Christ and handed it on, the Catholic Church teaches there must be a ministerial apostolic succession — bishops who are successors of the Apostles, who preserve the apostolic teaching and sacraments. Catholic Answers+2Catholic Culture+2
By this succession the Church maintains continuity of ministry, teaching and sacramental life from the time of the Apostles to today. Catholic Culture+1
In short: Because humans are physical, visible, quirky beings — and sometimes still behave like gremlins. So the Church gives rules to keep things “orderly”, protective of dignity, and symbolic.
Key reasons for dress/behaviour rules:
Dignity & respect: In Catholic teaching, our bodies matter. For example, modesty isn’t just about clothes, it’s “the virtue that moderates all the internal and external movements and appearance of a person” (so yes, your socks matter too). Catholic Answers+1
All Saints’ Day is November 1 every year in the Western (Roman) Catholic Church. hallow.com+2Faith Walk+2
All Souls’ Day is November 2 every year. Catholic Online+2Magis Center+2
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain in me a willing spirit.”
This verse is part of King David’s heartfelt prayer after he sinned. He’s asking God not just for forgiveness, but to bring back the joy he once felt when he was close to God.
He knows that sin takes away peace and happiness — it separates us from the joy of being in God’s presence.
So, David isn’t just sorry; he wants to be made new inside — to have a willing, faithful heart that keeps choosing God again and again.
First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13
Israel is under attack by Amalek. Moses tells Joshua to choose men and go fight, while Moses, with Aaron and Hur, goes up to a hill with the staff of God. When Moses keeps his arms raised, Israel prevails; when he lowers them, Amalek gains ground. Fatigue sets in; Aaron and Hur support Moses’ arms until sunset, enabling victory. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network+2Catholic Lectionary+2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121:1-8
A song of trust: “My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth … He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” EWTN Global Catholic Television Network+2Catholic Daily Readings+2
Angels existed before humans
In Catholic theology, angels are spiritual creatures created by God before the visible material world (or at least before humans).
Satan was at first a good angel
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God” but “they became evil by their own doing.” Vatican+2Catholic Culture+2
In other words: God did not make angels evil; they chose evil by their own free will.
The fall of Satan (angelic rebellion)
At some point (not recorded in Scripture in detail), one angel—traditionally named Lucifer—rebelled against God’s authority, refusing to serve Him. This rebellion caused him and other angels who followed him to fall and become demons. Catholic Culture+4Catholic Answers+4Catholic365+4
Thus, when Adam and Eve were created, Satan had already fallen
Because the fall of the angels is understood to precede the fall or temptation of the first humans, Satan was already in a fallen state when he tempted Eve in the Garden. The Church sees the serpent in Eden as a symbol (or instrument) of Satan who tempts humankind. Catholic Culture+2Catholic Answers+2