Sunday, October 18, 2020
The Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

    A few years ago, I spoke to a group of schoolchildren about the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima on the 13^th of each month from May 1917 to October 1917.  One child was particularly fascinated with this beautiful story and in a nonchalant manner, asked me how I felt living back then. I smiled at such innocence, and said it is very hard for a person over a hundred years old to remember so far back. 

   In our church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Belmont, California we have a beautiful stained-glass window in the choir loft that covers the entire front of the church.  It shows three children on their knees praying the rosary before Our Lady with a brilliant sun above.  On October 13, 1917, the sun danced in the sky to offer proof for the messages Mary had given the children.  In the morning, often a brilliant sun light comes into our church during Mass to remind us of that long-ago miracle.   At a certain time of day, it enlightens the high altar.

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