Pastor's Corner October 4, 2026

Dear folks:

Another option within the Novus Ordo Mass that I pick is a subtle one. After the readings and the homily, there is the presentation of the gifts. Once this has been done, the Eucharistic prayer is led into with the prayer aptly named the preface. As indicated already, in the Novus Ordo there are many options. Most of these allow for a tying in with the saint of the day or the season that we are celebrating. Just as some examples, there are two prefaces each for Mary, the apostles, martyrs and generic saints. The option that I prefer to choose, if there is one that has it, is one that aligns with the Traditional Latin Mass that has the partial listing of the choirs of angels. 

The Holy Bible teaches us that there are nine choirs of angels. This groups them not so much according to their being, as all of them are pure spirits and each is unique in his personhood, but the grouping indicates their roles in the adoration of and sharing in the glory of God.  The nine choirs are seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels and angels. Listen carefully to see which ones are named! This ties in well with our liturgical calendar. 

This past week we celebrated the Archangels: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. You can find all three of these represented in our church. See if you can find them. (Not during the homily of course! ) 

This coming week we will be celebrating the feast of the guardian angels. It is our faith that all who are baptized have a guardian angel watching over them. My choice in preface is to hopefully keep these truths in the front of our minds. Be sure and ask the angels for their prayers and assistance! God bless!

Father Beres