This week we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation, on Wednesday, November 1st and The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on Thursday, November 2nd. On the Solemnity of All Saints, we celebrated Mass at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
On All Souls’ Day we celebrated our regular daily Mass at 9:00 AM for all those who have died, particularly those we knew and loved, and in the evening at 7:00 PM, we recognized all of those who were buried from Saint Helen during this past year in our Annual Mass of Remembrance.
During this Mass, all of the names of those who died this past year will be read and a candle lit. We are grateful for those who have passed before us and pray for them to realize the promise of eternal life.
It has long been the tradition in the Church to use the whole month of November to remember all those who have died. Here at Saint Helen, we continue our practice of your submitting the names of family members and friends who have died on cards provided at the doors of the Church. All the cards submitted in the boxes or baskets will be placed on the Altar and remembered during our celebrations of the Eucharist for the entire month.
Let us also remember all those who have died throughout our country and our world: in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Lewiston, Maine, as well as all victims of violence in all times and in all places.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual life shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Let us also pray for the consolation of all those families and friends who lost someone so dear to them.
God Bless You All,
Msgr. Tom
