November 5, 2025

What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatred rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family. We can eradicate these ills only through a firm reliance on God, through a deeper devotion to Christ and the Gospel, through a sincere love for persons reflected in law, and through a renewed commitment to justice and public order.

We are living through a perilous moment. Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters.

Bishop Michael Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington, VA


Dear Parishioners,

Today we celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. At first glance, it seems strange to celebrate the dedication of a particular building, no matter how historic or beautiful it might be. To understand the meaning of this feast, we first must understand the meaning of church buildings in general. Of course, they serve a practical purpose by giving us a safe and inviting place to gather for the Eucharist, but they also have an important symbolic meaning.

All three of the readings from Mass today use buildings in a symbolic manner. In the first reading, Ezekiel has a vision of water flowing from the side of the temple. This water symbolizes God’s grace, which brings life and renewal wherever it flows.

Saint Paul uses the image of a temple as a symbol for the Christian people, both collectively and individually; he tells the Corinthians they are built on the foundation of Christ.

In the Gospel Jesus, after driving the money-changers and traders out of the temple in Jerusalem, uses the temple as a symbol of his body, which will die and then be raised up in three days.

Reflecting on these readings, it becomes clear that a church building is a symbol of the Church itself: Christ’s mystical body, formed from the assembled Christian people, existing to bring God’s grace to the whole world. In celebrating the dedication of a church building, we are celebrating and commemorating our own dedication as members of the Church, living stones in the temple of God. It is a day to remember that we are sacred, having been redeemed and made one with Christ through baptism.

With that background in place, we can turn to the particular symbolic significance of the Lateran Basilica. To remain part of the Church, it is necessary to remain in union with Jesus Christ; he is the head and we are the members, or, as Paul puts it in today’s reading, he is the foundation upon which we are built.

How can we tell if we are in union with Jesus and the Church he founded in a world full of competing claims and arguments? The Church gives us a simple answer: the pope, as the successor of Peter, serves as the touchstone of unity. As Saint Ambrose once said, where Peter is, there is the Church. If we are in communion with the bishop of Rome, we are in communion with Christ’s Church. Practically speaking, this also means being united to our local bishops.

The Lateran Basilica is the pope’s personal cathedral; in celebrating its dedication, we celebrate our unity in Christ. Let us ask Jesus to purify us and make us one with him. May our union with him drive out all division and enmity from our hearts so we can become fully integrated into his body, and provide a channel through which all people can receive God’s life-giving grace.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly



We invite you to join the Saints Peter and Paul community in honoring the Sacred Heart in Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM. Concluding at 8:00 PM, this First Friday Holy Hour will consist of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, the Litany of the Eucharist.

 In the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta:

 “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how
much Jesus loved you then, when you look at the
Sacred Host, you understand how Jesus loves you”

 

Father Monica's Faith in Action students from Bishop Shanahan will be selling Holy Cannoli after Masses on November 8,9, 2025.

The cost is $15 for 6 and they will only be accepting cash.

All proceeds will support the travel expenses of these students to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis at the end of the month.

Thank you for your support!



1. OFFERTORY:

a. The gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar (Matthew 5:23) on behalf of the people and given to the priest, who transforms them “in persona Christi” and gives them back to us later as the Holy Eucharist.

b. The tithes are also brought forward. God asks us for only a tiny part of all that He has given to us.

c. The procession of the gifts goes back to ancient times when people walked to church, bringing bread and wine from their homes.

2. PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS:

There are two purposes:

a. The preparation of the bread and wine, which God transforms into the Body and Blood of Christ.

b. The preparation of priest and people, in which we bring everything that is in our hearts, our prayer intentions, for God to transform. The priest prepares the altar: he unfolds the corporal and lays it on the altar, then he takes the bread and blesses it, “Blessed are You Lord, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer…” (traditional Jewish meal prayer that Jesus prayed at the Last Supper). He removes the purificator from the cup and pours wine from the cruet into the cup and adds a drop of water. He prays “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” The water (humanity) and wine (divinity) cannot be separated;

Jesus and the Church are thus united. Then the priest blesses the cup, “Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation, through your goodness…”

Next week: The Liturgy of the Eucharist (cont.) Please arrive 8 minutes early!

(This video series has been condensed and excerpted from Father Chris Alar’s “The Mass Explained – Explaining the Faith” video, with permission.)




We will begin our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Saturday, November 15. This year’s recipient will be Mission Santa Maria at St. Rocco’s Parish in Avondale.

Please drop off non-perishable, healthy food items in the church library no later than Thanksgiving Day.

Some suggested items include:

Canned goods: fruit, vegetables, tomatoes-diced or sauce, spaghetti sauce, beans, tuna. Boxed/Packaged items: White rice, dried beans (black or pinto), corn oil, cooking oil, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, crackers, juice boxes, healthy snacks.

Please refrain from an overabundance of canned goods or make sure they are packaged in heavy duty bags….we had many bags break open last year as we loaded the truck.

We would appreciate some help loading on Saturday, November 29 at 9:00 AM.

Thank you in advance for your generosity in providing food for the poor!




Order your holiday pies through Saints Peter and Paul School. Please use the QR code below to place your order.

$25.00 per pie from Highland Orchards

Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple Crumb

Orders due by November 11

Pick up November 24 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM

Church Hall