Dear Parishioners,
This Saturday, November 2, we celebrate the Solemnity of All the Faithful Departed, more commonly known as All Souls’ Day. This month is often seen as a time to remember all of our loved ones. I’d like to remind you that this year, Remembrance Cards will be available to you, where you can write down the names of your departed loved ones and we will remember each of them at every Ordinary Time Mass throughout November. Many have already filled out the cards, causing us to run out last weekend. You can be sure that we will keep a supply in reserve as the month continues. Cards can be found near our Book of Intentions in the back of the church. Simply place the completed cards in the adjacent basket, and the friars will collect them.
A poem that I often read during near All Souls’ Day is called We Remember Them; a litany by Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer. This poem reminds us of how the memories of our loved ones who have died, even if significant time has passed since their death, will be seen in smallest or most repetitive aspects of our own lives. The first time I heard this poem was at a remembrance celebration in 1999 at a local Hospice facility in Maryland. In the time since, I have revisited this litanty countless time for All Souls’ celebrations.
At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter,
We remember them.
At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring,
We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer,
We remember them.
At the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn,
We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us,
as we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
We remember them.
Some of you know that I am a bit of a baker. At that that Hospice remembrance service, one of the volunteers made these graham cracker dessert for those in attendance to share. They were absolutely delicious, and stick out in my mind whenever I think to that poem and service. It took me a while but I tracked down the woman who made them and she gave me the recipe, which I will share with you.
Graham Cracker Treats
Ingredients:
1 cup – Butter
½ cup – Sugar
1 cup – Chopped Pecans
12 large Graham Crackers
Directions:
• Put graham crackers on a foiled cookie tray and sprinkle with pecans.
• In a saucepan, melt sugar and butter over medium heat and let boil for 2 minutes. When finished, pour over crackers and pecans.
• Bake in oven at 350*F for 10 minutes.
One of the best ways we remember loved ones is when we share what they had given us in life. Ahead of the holidays, let us share their stories and the gifts they have given us with others. As they have lived in us, may they now also live in others. For example, my great, great aunt Sarah died when I was a toddler. She was about 107. I don’t remember her, but I am connected to her through the warm stories my dad and grandmother would tell about her.
Take the time in November to pray for all those who have gone before us, as we remember them.
Peace and All Good,
– Fr. Mike
