Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are already in November. In the words of Sophia Feingold, “The month of November is a little like its own liturgical season. There is a flavor to its liturgies not merely dependent on the glow of early Christmas lights, the pungency of cranberries and the sparsity of once-flagrant leaves. Part of November’s liturgical flavor is death. This is the month when the Catholic faithful especially pray at cemeteries and in general for the faithful departed. But November is flavored too by its inclusion of All Saints Day and the Solemnity of Christ the King, which make it also a month for contemplating the body of Christ in its members, the saints, whether they are part of the earthly kingdom of God or its heavenly fulfillment.” To these liturgical dimensions, we should also add “Thanksgiving,” one of the most meaningful celebrations in our nation.
The month of November reminds us not to forget our beloved dead. In the Early Church, a chair was left vacant at table, along with a plate and tableware, to remind the family to pray for the repose of the souls of their deceased loved ones. Today, the month of November reminds us to visit the graves of our beloved dead, to have Masses offered for the repose of their souls and also to pray for the souls in purgatory. We will be remembering our departed loved ones on Saturday at CTK (4.00pm) and St. Stephen (5.00pm) with appropriate prayers and symbolisms. You are invited to join grieving families, and pray with them.
