Kids Need Saints 

With the Solemnity of All Saints taking place this weekend (Nov. 1), author Amy Welborn tells us why young people must be introduced to the lives of the saints. “Kids need saints because the world they’re living in mostly lies to them about who they are, why they’re valuable, why they’re here, and where they’re going.” According to Welborn, “the impact of the deception runs even deeper and wider than the obvious celebration of appearance, achievement, sexual appeal, and possessions as indicators of value.” Indeed, she continues, “it seeps into even the most well-meaning worlds of formation, guidance and education in which young people are taught to assume that life – even a Christian life – is about pursuing dreams and happiness and finding fulfillment.” They are encouraged to believe that “whatever they feel and sense quite deeply about themselves must be God’s plan and will for them. Why? Because God created them and loves them exactly as they are. Therefore, whatever they feel and sense must be God-planted and God-approved.” This, however, contradicts the words of Christ, who told His disciples: “whoever wishes to save their life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”  

Consider how parents of small children often discover that the love they have for their little ones fills them with the strength to do things they would never otherwise do. They are willing to go without sleep, change dirty diapers, clean up endless messes they didn’t make, and spend enormous amounts of resources on people who basically have no appreciation for it. Just as parents’ natural center of gravity is their children, the saint’s center of gravity is the Lord Jesus. For the sake of their love for Him, saints are men and women who received the strength to do remarkable things, made incredible sacrifices, and lived lives that contradicted the wisdom of the world. Saints are not those who looked to “follow their dreams.” They are those who, convinced of the truth of the gospel, were committed to set aside their worldly dreams to follow the person of Christ. Indeed, with the help of grace, the saints figured out what life is truly about. And that’s why kids need the saints.  

New Music Director 

This weekend we are very pleased to welcome Mr. Joseph O’Brien, our parish’s new Director of Music Ministry. A native of the Philadelphia area, Joseph is currently finishing a Masters program in organ performance at Yale University. He brings with him extensive experience, using his musical gifts in service of helping people worship God. He’s also a heck of a nice guy. Please be sure to say hello, welcome him to our parish family, and encourage him to stay with us for many, many years to come. 

posted 11/1/25