Dear Parishioner and Friend of the Sunday Mass,

It is a very humid day in August and I am sitting at my desk thinking about November. Perhaps, I am hoping for colder days or maybe the slowness of a summer’s day gives me pause to remember important people in my life. I think we all have moments in our lives like mine today when we take the time to remember. Perhaps, we remember a good friend whose passing left an ache in our heart. Maybe we remember mom or dad because we could use their advice or at least a hug from them. Remembering those we have lost is important no matter when we do it. It keeps us connected. It helps us continue the journey of faith with the sure and certain hope that one day we will be together again.

My favorite line in the Preface for the Mass of the Dead says, “Life has changed, not ended”, and that is the hope in which we remember and live. Remembering the spirit, the faithfulness, and the presence of people in our lives who have died is important, that is why the Church’s celebration of All Souls’ Day is such a special time. It gives us an opportunity to remember and hope.

For those of you who have lost loved ones or friends recently I know that it is not an easy time. You might hear kind words from people but the emotions of their passing for you linger on. I offer you my prayers and a simple opportunity to remember them.

As you know, here at The Sunday Mass we remember 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 November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, as Church we will remember all our deceased loved ones in a special way. Here at The Sunday Mass we will be remembering all who have passed before us not only on All Souls’ Day but on all the Sundays of the Month of November. We know how important it is to bring the circle of love that we share with those who have gone before us into the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. As we pray for them, we know that they also pray for us.

We invite you to send us the names of those you wish us to remember and pray for on All Souls’ Day and throughout the Sundays of November. Please write their names on the lines below and mail them back to us. We will put them in the basket next to the altar during The Sunday Mass. This will be a visible sign of the people we hold so dear to our hearts.

Thank you for your continued participation in and support of The Sunday Mass. God bless your generosity and commitment!

Peace in Christ’s Passion,

Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P.
Executive Producer and Host of The Sunday Mass