Dear Sunday Mass Faith Community and Friends,

There is a scripture reading from the Book of Wisdom that is often used at funerals and there are two verses that always catch my attention. The verses are, “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them…they are at peace.” (Wisdom 3:1,3) In the first Preface for the Mass of the Dead, we hear “Life has changed not ended.” These thoughts from the Book of Wisdom and the Preface of the Dead, remind us that the loss of a loved one is not the end but the beginning of a peaceful eternal journey with God. They can be very comforting words when we think of someone we have lost.

For those of you who have lost loved ones or friends recently I know it is not an easy time. You hear the words that life has changed for them not ended and they are at peace, but the emotion of their passing still lingers. I offer you my prayers and an opportunity to remember them.

As you know, here at The Sunday Mass, we remember our deceased loved ones in our intentions each Sunday when we celebrate the Eucharist. The memorial of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection is the perfect celebration in which to call to mind the eternal communion of saints in which our loved ones now participate. The lives of those who have gone before us continue to inspire us and call us beyond ourselves to a higher place. Let us honor their lives by joining our prayers with theirs.

On Monday November 2nd, All Soul’s Day, as I aways do, I will celebrate a Mass to remember all deceased loved ones of The Sunday Mass faith community. It is my way of honoring, remembering and giving thanks for all the important people who have passed from this life to eternal life. Not only will we remember all your deceased loved ones on November 2nd but also on all the Sundays of November.

November is also the month of Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for people and the many gifts in our lives. We know it is important to take time to be thankful for the people, the graces, and the blessing of life. So not only do we remember those who have gone before us, but we also give thanks for the gifts in our lives.

I invite you to send us the names of those you want us to remember and pray for on All Soul’s Day and throughout the Sundays of November and all the people and things you are Thankful for. Please write the names of the people you want to remember and all you are thankful for on the slip of paper below and mail it back to us. We will put all the intentions we receive in the basket next to the altar during The Sunday Mass. This will be a visible sign of the people remembered and our thankfulness. (You may also do this through our website at www.TheSundayMass.org or by email)

Thank you for your continued participation in and support of The Sunday Mass. May God bless your generosity and commitment! Please accept the enclosed Prayer Card as a token of our thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation.

Peace in Christ’s Passion,

Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P.
Shepherd of The Sunday Mass Faith Community

All Souls Day Prayer

May those we love
who have passed from this life,
go forth,
in the name of God our Father,
who created us,
in the name of Jesus Christ,
who suffered and died for us,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who dwells within us.

May those we love who have died
now live in peace.
May their home be with God,
with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph, all the Angels,
and the Communion of Saints.
Amen

Prayer of Thankfulness

Loving God,
We thank you for the family, friends
and the people who touch our life,
with your presence.
We thank you for each new day.
We thank you for the strength to rise, to work,
to play and to be.
Most importantly, we thank you for life
and the love you give us each day.
Amen.