Once again, it is that time where the Month of November calls us to remember our dead with gratitude. On November 1st the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints and November 2nd is the day we celebrate All Souls. As we have done in the past few years, on November 5th and 6th we will ‘Remember Our Dead.’ As you know we will set up a memorial for this occasion. Located at the front of the church near the altars are the names of 30 people whose funerals were held either at St. Matthew’s Worship Site (5) or St. Rose of Lime Worship Site (25). As well, we include those funerals where I have celebrated at the funeral homes this past year. Beside each name is a candle, symbolizing the “Light” that their lives were for us. These candles will remain lit for the month of November. Also the Baptismal Font and Easter Candle anchor the display, telling us that our loved ones who were baptized into the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, now share eternal life with God. Finally, the use of “purple” symbolizes ‘Our royalty,’ that at our baptism, we were anointed “Priest, Prophet and King”.
Near the display is a book where we are invited and encouraged to write the names of all our loved ones gone before us into eternal life. This Book of Remembrance will be remembered at all our Masses during the month of November. To conclude our Church Year, on November 24th, the Solemnity of Christ the King, we will remember all our dead at Mass, giving thanks to God for blessing us with their lives and praying that all of them now share in eternal life. One of the highest tributes that we can pay to our departed sisters and brothers is to remember them in our personal prayer and at Mass. Please continue to pray for the dead and for their families who continue to mourn their loss.
Fr. David