In November Catholics remember our loved ones who have died. We pray they soon enter heaven, and we remember our family in heaven praying for us. Many thanks to everyone who prepared our All Souls Celebration last Saturday. It was a wonderful time of prayer. On the side altars at Immaculate Heart of Mary, you will see a candle for each person buried from one of our three churches last year. Please take a candle home and use it to pray for that person and their family. We also invite you to write the names of your departed loved ones in our books of remembrance in each of our church buildings. Our hospitality ministers can direct you to them. 
      I would ask you to offer a prayer for Theresa Shurig and her family. Theresa Shurig died on August 26, 2023. She enjoyed tennis, and also the bible studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary, where she was a parishioner for many years. For many years she was a secretary at Anheuser-Busch. Prominent leaders there trusted her with all the details of their lives. Intelligent, strong, and forthright, she learned from the people with whom she worked, and in time founded her own wealth management business, watching over the portfolios of those who trusted her. 
      A woman of faith, she deeply loved Jesus, the Catholic Church and her parish. She left our parish a sizable bequest, over $460,000. Her generosity will pay for a new cooling and heating system and refurbished parking lots for Immaculate Heart of Mary church. We also foresee improving the sound systems in our churches in the year ahead. Her generosity helps us pursue our mission and vision. 
      So, the next time an administrative assistant, barista, or receptionist helps you, remember that prayerful, intelligent, honest, strong people often hide in plain sight. Perhaps years from now that person will leave a legacy to help others like the legacy Theresa Shurig left us. The Book of Sirach tells us: “Mock not the worn cloak and jibe at no man's bitter day: For strange are the works of the LORD, hidden from men his deeds. The oppressed often rise to a throne, and some that none would consider wear a crown.” May she rest in peace. 

Amen.