This next weekend we will observe All Saints Day at part of our regular Sunday Mass and All Souls day on Monday evening. I want to use this space to encourage you to remember the faithful departed in your prayers and particularly on All Souls day. It has become a popular misconception of our Catholic Faith to assume that all the faithful souls go straight to heaven when they die. Not true. In fact, probably most of us will need the preparation of Purgatory. Purgatory should not be conceived as punishment but rather a final cleansing. When we do a good examination of conscience, we realize we still have some “issues” with sin, a weakness that hampers our holiness. (Holiness is simply doing God’s will.) This will not magically go away when we die. Our perfection and purification requires the consent of our will. The Lord will not force it upon us. We must cooperate. The souls in Purgatory are being purified. Part of this is their prayers. But they cannot pray for their self. That is where you and I come in. The Church prays for them, (Every Mass.) the saints pray for them, and we pray for them. The souls in Purgatory desire this. It is for them like a drink of cool water on a hot day. Exorcist confirm that what many people experience as a paranormal or “ghost” experiences is but a sad soul longing for prayer. You could think of this as paying it ahead. The souls we pray for now will be praying for us now and after our death. Someday they will thank you and you will thank them! Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.