October 18, 2026

PRAYER – FOR EVERYDAY AND EVERYBODY

Blessing for World Mission Sunday
O God, 
You never cease to call us to Yourself, bless the mission fields where we sow, tend, and reap. Give us your grace and strength as we share Your love with families and friends, strangers and sojourners. Give us the right words, the right inspirations, the right invitations, the right love. Your love, shared. 
 Amen

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK 

1st Reading Question: 
Cyrus, king of the Persian Empire, learns that God plans to use him to rescue his people, Israel. Have you ever felt God has used you to help someone else?    
2nd Reading Question:
Paul speaks in gratitude for the faith of the Thessalonians and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst. What are you thankful for this week?
Gospel Question:
The Pharisees and the Herodians are unable to trap Jesus in his words. Do you feel equipped to defend the Faith from others who may challenge you?  
       
LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK

The Pharisees try to trick Jesus into starting a political revolution. They don’t realize he came to start a revolution of the heart, not the state. God’s image is stamped on our soul, but still the world tries to claim us. Revolt! You belong to God.

©LPi

This Sunday’s Gospel has Jesus reminding us to give to God what is God’s. As Catholics, we are called to practice stewardship—to use our time, our resources, and our gifts and talents to build God’s kingdom here on earth. Your challenge this week is to examine your efforts to tithe financially. How much of your money goes toward those most in need? In addition to your support of the local parish and the universal Church, to which charities do you contribute? If you don’t have a favorite charity, consider making a Catholic organization your charity of choice. Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development are a few of the many great Catholic organizations which exist to serve the most vulnerable in our world. Make them part of your practice of stewardship, and give to God what is God’s.

© Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. 

http://pastoral.center All rights reserved.

Recipes That Bring Us Together!

Every family has that one special recipe that brings everyone to the table! Maybe it’s Grandma’s famous casserole, the special dish that reminds everyone where they came from, the appetizer everyone requests at gatherings, or a delicious dessert made with a little extra love (and calories don’t count!).

Now it’s time to share the love! We’d love for you to share your favorite family recipe with us. Your recipe will be part of our November display case (as we lead up to Thanksgiving). We’ll also bring everyone’s delicious contributions together in a Digital Recipe Cookbook to share with our parish family!

Have a photo of your dish? We’d love to see it!

Let’s celebrate the recipes, memories, and traditions that bring us together, one delicious bite at a time!

Share your recipe and let’s make something delicious together!


We can’t wait to see what you contribute and what brings your family and friends together!

You are invited to attend our annual All Souls' Day MASS OF REMEMBRANCE on Monday, November 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. At this special Mass, you will be have the opportunity to light a votive candle in memory of your deceased loved ones. We invite you to bring a small, framed photo of family members who have died. You can place this photo around our altar where they will remain and be remembered throughout the month of November.

As part of our sung prayer that evening, we will be joined by soprano Anne O'Byrne. After the liturgy, you are invited to remain for a reception in the Commons.

(Please do not bring the only copy of a precious photo and be sure to mark your name on the reverse side.)

Learn more about what is on the ballot in Virginia at:

https://www.protectvirginia2026.org/
https://vacatholic.org/constitutionalamendments2026/

Virginia Family Services (VFS) is an accredited Substance Use and Behavioral Health Treatment Center dedicated to treating adults and children with substance use, mental health and/ or co-occurring disorders in Central Virginia.  Their mission is to strengthen families by providing effective, supportive, and therapeutic services. VFS has requested winter coats for several of their clients.  

Our Human Concerns Ministry & Knights of Columbus Council are working together to fulfill VFS’s request.   Please help keep our neighbors warm during the coming winter, by selecting a person at  VFS Winter Coats at https://bit.ly/4AqM0Vl and bring a new winter coat to any Mass on the weekend of October 31/November 1.  

Please call or email Joe Colosi at 302-383-0117 or josephcolosi@yahoo.com with questions.

Learn more about program offerings:

• Grades K-6 - https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/children
• Grade 7-12 - https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/youth
• Reconciliation & Eucharist - https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/Eucharist
• Confirmation - https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/confirmation