Truth & Mercy Series - October 18th 2026

In union with all of humanity and in a special way all Catholics, the world over, I wish to request prayers for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. In a special way to thank God for the successful surgery to remove that nodule on his lung. It was an act of God that his election was done a little over a year ago. It had all the signs of God all over it as we say, lots of God incidents. He is the right Pope for this time. We acknowledge Divine Providence in his life and I am not oblivious of the mission God has placed on his shoulder. His charismatic mission and personality have resonated with both youth and children, he has engaged every facet of human endeavor including the poor, the marginalized, he has called two consistories and visited many countries already with the touch of a missionary Pope. Our Church has a lot of blessings awaiting us and this goes for the entire world. This Pope of PEACE will give us strength to fight against AI and all the enemies of humanity. He is Our Lady’s son and the first son of St. Augustine to become a Pope. Please friends, I invite you to pray for the Pope using this powerful novena to St. Philomena that I am attaching to this message. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/litany-and-novena-to-st-philomena-11873. 

On another note, I wish to thank everyone, friends and family who sent me a birthday message or gift. Your warm birthday wishes have warmed my heart so much. When I was coming out of the rectory on Monday October 12, I was pleasantly surprised to see a happy birthday yard sign in front of the house. That was very thoughtful of you. I have never had such a thing before in my life, so I thought turning 55 is pretty special. Thank you for the prayers, the cards, the cash, the thoughtful words. The kids enjoyed lots of brownies, cookies because of your profound generosity. In the 2nd grade room, the kids gave me figurines of Jesus and Mary as birthday gifts and two of them had birthday’s like mine too, so we had a group hug. I have offered all your gifts and prayers in union with the two Hearts of Jesus and Mary because all the good things you experience from me are from above. God is the source and origin of everything. To Him be the Glory and Praise forever. Amen. 

It is the 100th anniversary of the propagation of the Faith inaugurated in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. The mission to propagate the faith belongs to all. According to Pope Leo XIV, “In fact, no baptized person is exempt from or indifferent to mission: everyone, each according to their own vocation and condition of life, participates in the great work that Christ has entrusted to his Church.” (Pope’s message for world mission Sunday, 2026). This mission calls on all the baptized to action, communion and cooperation with the order of Bishops, priests, and consecrated religious to bring the Good news to everyone indeed, every creature. Our parish has been in a special way involved in this. This month, like I requested a few weeks ago, that you reserve the dates October 30 & 31, 2026, to come together as a parish to review together how our parish mission is progressing. This will help us to move together in unity for our shared mission. Please avail yourself of the Pope’s message for world mission Sunday to meditate and bring up ideas you would love to see implemented in our parish so we can live out the Vicar of Christ’s message. Here is a link to the Pope’s message. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/mission/documents/20260125-giornata-missionaria.html

In union of prayers 

Fr. Nicholas Akindele JCL