Here is an article I wrote for the cover of our bulletin.<\/p>\n
A Time to Honor Those Who Have Gone Before Us<\/b><\/p>\n
On Friday we celebrated All Saints\u2019 Day.\u00a0 Throughout the year there are feasts and memorials of many different saints.\u00a0 On All Saints\u2019 Day, we honor all who are in Heaven, whether they are formally canonized as saints or not.<\/p>\n
November 2nd<\/sup> is the \u201cCommemoration of All the Faithful Departed\u201d, more commonly known as All Souls\u2019 Day.\u00a0 We can also pray those are in Purgatory but November is a special time to pray for the deceased in Purgatory.\u00a0 We don\u2019t talk about Purgatory much but it still exists.\u00a0 After death, our souls go to Purgatory for a final purification before we are able to enter into Heaven.<\/p>\n On Monday, November 4th<\/sup> at 7 p.m. we will celebrate our special Mass of Remembrance to especially pray for those who have died in the last year.\u00a0 Everyone is invited to come.\u00a0 You will be greeted and invited to submit the name of any loved ones you have lost in the last year and light a candle for them during Mass.<\/p>\n People may ask why we pray for the dead.\u00a0 We learn about the practice of praying for the dead in 2 Maccabees 12:38-46.\u00a0 We will pray for those who have died in the last year Monday evening.\u00a0 Our prayers do not \u201cundo\u201d their sins.\u00a0We pray that God allow them to swiftly pass through Purgatory to enter clean into the glory of Heaven.<\/p>\n As part of our custom of praying for souls in Purgatory, we may offer our Mass Intentions for our deceased loved ones.\u00a0 This is a favorite custom for many Catholics.\u00a0 So much so that we need to limit the number of Mass requests to ensure everyone has an opportunity to have Masses offered.\u00a0 Without these limits, we would not have Masses available for those who die in the current year.<\/p>\n Such intentions are offered are commonly offered on their day of death but may also be offered on birthdays or anniversaries.\u00a0 However, when we offer intentions on these days, it should not be seen as a way to celebrate the \u201canniversary.\u201d\u00a0 The whole idea of offering a Mass intention for the deceased is praying for them in Purgatory.\u00a0 May all our loved ones pass swiftly through Purgatory to enter into God\u2019s Heavenly Kingdom.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is an article I wrote for the cover of our bulletin. A Time to Honor Those Who Have Gone Before Us On Friday we celebrated All Saints\u2019 Day.\u00a0 Throughout the year there are feasts and memorials of many different saints.\u00a0 On All Saints\u2019 Day, we honor all who are in Heaven, whether they are …<\/p>\n