Good afternoon,
Reflection for All Souls Day
The readings for All Souls Day invite us, as children of God, to live with trust and loving action in the present moment. Even as we face trials and suffering, we are called to hold firm to hope, knowing that God’s love accompanies us through every circumstance.
From the Apocalypse, we receive a message of assurance and hope: all who have gone before us will one day be united in joy in God’s presence. This promise encourages us to persevere, trusting that our journey leads to a place of eternal peace and reunion.
Psalm 23 offers the comforting image of God as our Shepherd. Life brings both pain and beauty, yet through it all, we are urged to trust in God’s goodness and mercy. The psalm reassures us that, no matter what we encounter, God walks with us, guiding and protecting us.
John’s letter beautifully affirms the immense, undeserved love God has bestowed upon each of us. We are already called “children of God.” This identity invites us to live with love, trust, and faith, confident in the mercy of our loving God.
The Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel present a radical, counter-cultural vision of what it means to be truly “blessed.” Qualities often undervalued by the world—humility (“poor in spirit”), meekness, mercy, a hunger for righteousness, and even enduring persecution—are lifted up as the foundation of life in God’s Kingdom. Jesus calls us to embody these virtues, building a present reality of fidelity, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. As we strive to live this way, we can trust that God is with us every step of the journey.
This message is beautifully echoed in the Navaho chant:
“I walk with God above me
I walk with God below me
I walk with God beside me
I walk with God all around me
How wonderful your world, O God.”
As we remember and pray for all souls, may we be strengthened in faith, inspired to act with love, and comforted by the hope that God’s presence surrounds us always.
Have a good week – God go with you,
Paul
Scripture reflection: All Souls, 2 November 2025. Reflections for The Feast of All Saints Year C.
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.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial psalm: Ps 23(24):1-6
Second reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Link to readings – click here
Today’s feast day is a commemoration of all those women and men whose lives were centred on the Gospel. Their example can inspire us to live like them, rooted always in God’s love. The First Reading describes part of St John’s vision of a heavenly realm, where people from every age, nation, tribe and culture are united as one in constant joyful praise of God. The Psalmist sings of a world full of the presence of God. He encourages us to seek the Lord so that we receive God’s abundant blessings.
Our Second Reading is a joyful, encouraging letter of love to the early Christian Church. They (and us now) are addressed as ‘Beloved’. We are reminded of our true nature as God’s children. The writer counsels that the ‘world’ may not recognise this, but this is indeed our reality. This is our faith, and we are called to transform the world by leading lives centred on Gospel values, as did all the saints that we celebrate today.
The Gospel is Matthew’s version of the Beatitudes. Jesus teaches powerful, courageous – and possibly costly – Gospel values. If we choose to live by them, we can begin to realise the kingdom of God on earth.
On this feast, we can take encouragement from knowing that we belong to an eternal community of saints. With them, let us pray as Pilgrims of Hope for all those who are persecuted for expressing their faith in the Gospel.
Update: We received some good news from the Masterton Hospital. Clare will have replacement knee surgery on November 13th. I’ll be in Nelson next week then off to Pukekohe to speak at mass on the 9th November followed by Formation sessions. I will have to see how Clare’s operation and recovery goes before committing to any work travel.
Formation: As stated in previous newsletter: “as part of this Jubilee Year- Paul will be offering to visit parishes and or regions to conduct a mini formation using two talks and discussion/sharing opportunities – one on ‘Belonging’ and the “On Being Church – Why community matters?”.
If you or your community or region would like a presentation please let Paul know and dates that would suit you”. The sessions thus far have been very well received.
Formation Coming up:
Levin and Otaki on 24th November; Waiting to hear from Lower Hutt
Celebrant: Just advising that earlier this year I was asked if I would be able to be a marriage celebrant for someone I have known for many years. I had been a celebrant but let it lapse. I have now been through the process again and once more I am an authorised Marriage and Civil Celebrant. I am also able to act as a Funeral Celebrant. If there is any way I can support, please let me know: paulus663@gmail.com
or (021) 357 933
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
A Reminder: Dear Parish and Group Coordinators There has been a little angst re having to sign a Code of Conduct. With Safeguarding there is naturally some hesitance but after the Royal Commission it was put to the Government that there were protocols to be developed and implemented. The Catholic Bishops of New Zealand were also asked to put these into place. So, at the end of the day we are expected to comply with these protocols and to through parishes and groups ensure that we 1. Protect ourselves and 2. Protect the at risk and vulnerable within our communities. There is no blame our accusation toward any community just that we act in a way to keep ourselves and others safe. To this end we protect our Passionist Families, our groups, parishes by ensuring we comply to the requests asked of us. If you have not done so please complete and send a copy of your signed Parish or PFG Code of Conduct to paulus663@gmail and a copy to your Parish Safeguarding person.
Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or report directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki.
Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622
Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz
www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals of Passionist Family Groups. 
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please remember Dee and Peter Costello’s grandson and parents Katelyn and Reuben. The recent news is positive but the prayers will assist.
- Please remember Barry Straight his wife Viv and all the family and extended family.
- Please remember Clare,Daryl Pritchard and family
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Pease keep Di Buckley in your prayer
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Pat Carson; Graeme Matthews; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme and Margaret Armstrong
- Please remember, Tim Bartells & family, Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer, Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate and extended families, Pauline Prendergast, Robyn Burns (Hill,) Sean and Ann Mulcahy, Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) Paul Davenport, Clair and Ray Hague; Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson; Richard and Sue Gibbs; Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew .
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health;
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Pray for peace and sensible and just decisions by leaders across the planet.
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- Your own intentions
Humour:
- Did you hear about the broken guitar for sale? It comes with no strings attached.
- I wanted to take a bath, but decided to leave it where it is.
- A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Why the long face?”
- Why’d the roofer go to the doctor? He had shingles.
- Did you hear about the woman who couldn’t stop collecting magazines? She had issues.
- Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Summer wasn’t too bad either.
- What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh.
- What should you do if you meet a giant? Use big words.
- What do you call a cow with two legs? Lean beef.
“We Are a “Family for All”