Are you ready for November at home and in church? Make a home altar, your own pious list and mementoes and share and pray. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY for the whole month can be downloaded from https://marfam.org.za/thoughts-for-the-day-november-2026-family-losses-and-endings/

October 31. SEE. Loss and death. Her children were a bit shocked but her friends understood.  Some months after her husband died Mrs Jameson told them, “I see death in a different light now, like I don’t feel afraid to die. I really don’t want to carry on living alone for years and years. I do feel too lonely.”   Mrs Adam listened and then encouraged her, saying that in time she might come to realise that there is a lot she could do for her family and for the bigger church family too. You’ve always been active, so just take your time, wait and see how you feel.”  

JUDGE. Reflect, share, Scripture. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If it is to be life in the flesh that means fruitful labour for me.  Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. Phil 1:18-26. Pope Francis:  At particular times we have to help the grieving person to realise that, after the loss of a loved one, we still have a mission to carry out, and that it does us no good to prolong the suffering, as if it were a form of tribute. Our loved ones, have no need of our suffering nor does it flatter them that we should ruin our lives.AL “Although the certainty of death saddens us, we are consoled by the promise of future immortality.  For the life of those who believe in you, Lord, is not ended, but changed. ”From the Liturgy of the Dead.  Pope Leo:   This is the blessing we implore from God; and the task that stands before us is that of being builders of communion, rather than architects of Babel. We are to be servants of the coming Kingdom, instead of lords of towers destined for ruin. With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to abandon the construction of yet another Tower of Babel and to join forces in building up the common good, so that humanity will never lose its beauty, and the world once again will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell.  MH16

Daily Prayer for Mission Month October, Year of St Francis and upcoming Local Elections in SA.  

Heavenly Father, during this Mission month, we praise and thank you for the gift of your love and the riches of your creation. As missionary disciples we answer your call to walk in the way of peace.  We lift up to you all leaders of nations. Grant them an open heart and a listening ear to hear the cries of the poor and the needy. Bless all missionaries, protect them from harm, strengthen their hearts in times of trial, and fill them with the joy of your Spirit. As we prepare for the elections and a renewal of society for the common good we acknowledge our shortcomings and faults. We hear the needs that call for help to build a united country under God, as a family of all the families of creation.  Mary, Mother of the Church and of the Rosary pray for us. St Francis, our model and patron saint of all of creation pray for us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen