For the second Sunday in a row, the Church interrupts the normal sequence of Sundays to celebrate the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. Such a celebration may cause us in the USA to ask: ‘Why would we celebrate the dedication of a church an ocean away from us? Usually, the celebration of an anniversary of dedication takes place in the church that was dedicated, not in the whole Church.” 

When the church extends the celebration of an event or anniversary to the whole church, it is because she wants to teach about the importance of this event and the spiritual impact it should hold on our lives as Catholic Christians. St. John Lateran serves as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome. This is where the cathedra, or seat of the bishop of Rome is located, just like in Cleveland the cathedra is in St. John Cathedral downtown. 

One of the titles of the Holy Father Pope  Leo XIV is Bishop of Rome. Since Rome is mother and head of all the churches. The celebration of this feast holds special importance for us as Church. As Catholic Christians, we belong to a living, teaching Church that guides us in keeping the Word of God and applying that Word to concrete situations in which we find ourselves in the present day. The Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome is the visible symbol of this authority which we call the magisterium. The Church of Rome gathers us local churches together in faith and practice and lens us a certain strength and unity as God’s Holy People. It is that unity and strength that we celebrate 
today. 

Please mark your calendars this coming Thursday, November 13 as Assumption Academy salutes and appreciates all veterans. Mass begins in church at 8:30 a.m. followed by a parade to the Family Center where a breakfast will be served and a program of tribute by the students of Assumption will be held. Please register for the breakfast using the instructions in the bulletin. We sincerely thank all veterans for their service to our country, especially in time of war.