Brothers and Sisters,

John Paul II has been synonymous with “pope” for most of my life. His tenure was marked by profound teaching and preaching, embodying the spirit of Vatican II and striving to make the Church vibrantly alive.

I vividly recall the moment I had the privilege to meet this extraordinary man. It was early on July 4, 2003—around 4 a.m.—when I woke up, not wanting to miss a final opportunity to see my parents and grandparents before they headed home, knowing we would not see each other for another year. Later that day, I received an unexpected call from the Vatican: my family had been invited to meet the Holy Father. While I had erred in scheduling the audience for my family to meet him, I was still fortunate to greet and shake his hand with another seminarian who accompanied me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I struggled to find the right words. He asked if we were from the United States and wished us a Happy Independence Day! Even as Parkinson’s weighed on him physically, his mind remained sharp, clearly aware of the significance of the holiday.

A few years later, I found myself in St. Peter’s Square, offering prayers for Pope John Paul during his final hours. It was a solemn gathering, and I was present when he passed away that night. In the days that followed, I opted to wait a bit to view his body, underestimating the response of the faithful who flocked to Rome from across Italy, Poland, and beyond. By the end of the week, the wait had swelled to nearly 24 hours.

At his funeral, I had the blessing to sing with the People’s Response Choir, a group of seminarians tasked with providing the spoken and sung responses for the broadcast. Although we couldn’t see the ceremony, his procession passed just feet away from us—a profoundly moving experience I will never forget.

The Gospel today invites us to engage deeply in our faith, as Jesus sends his disciples to call Bartimaeus: “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” We all need encouragement to rise up from our moments of lethargy. Everyone faces challenges, and sometimes we need that extra motivation to approach Jesus wholeheartedly. Let us live out our faith with intention—offer heartfelt prayers, remain disciplined in our spiritual practices, and share our resources generously with those in need.

In other words, strive to live like the saints! As we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church not only honors our beloved canonized saints, such as St. John Paul II but also invites us to seek the intercession and guidance of lesser-known saints—those vibrant witnesses of faith who may not be officially canonized but lived holy lives.
Our remembrance of these Holy Ones begins on All Saints Eve, Thursday, October 31, with Mass at 5 PM. It is followed by Masses on All Saints Day, Friday, November 1, at 8 AM and 9:30 AM (with the school). That evening, we will gather at 7 PM for a Solemn Celebration Mass, which will include a special “mini-FOP” after Communion.

Continuing the spirit of commemoration, Saturday, November 2, offers a chance for families to come together for our All Saints Celebration. Children and adults are encouraged to dress as their favorite saints, enjoy saint-themed games, and unite in prayer.

Praying for the dying and the dead is a profound act of mercy. You are warmly invited to include your loved ones in our Novena of Masses, offered in their memory. To have your family members remembered, please visit here for more details and to submit their names.