As All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day approach, marking the beginning of November, many Catholics’ thoughts turn to memories of loved ones who have passed. Special Masses on All Souls Day and Masses of Remembrance are just two ways the local Church encourages prayers for the departed, while affirming support for those they left behind.
Father Leo Gajardo explained that most parishes host a Mass of Remembrance for families who have a loved one who passed away within the past year. At St. Maria Goretti, where he serves as pastor, the church reaches out to the family at various stages following a funeral to provide resources and support as a sign of accompaniment.
“We want them to know the Church continues to offer its support and provide pastoral care as we entrust the departed to the love and mercy of God,” said Father Gajardo.
Prior to the start of the Mass of Remembrance at the Dyer church that was held Oct. 27, parishioners wrote their petitions on paper which were then brought forward to the altar in a basket and offered up in prayer. The names of those who have passed were mentioned aloud as part of the litany sung by the cantor, and were also visibly seen around the baptismal font.
“Our connection in baptism endures even through death,” stated Father Gajardo, describing the significance of the location of the display.
John Jarek, of Dyer, said services like the one at St. Maria Goretti are an excellent way to remember parents, grandparents and others who have passed. He noted his mother and father passed away three days apart and his wife’s dad passed away recently.
“It's just like a family and you don't really see that,” he said of the parish. "Everybody's busy doing all kinds of stuff and it's just nice that everybody can get together. There's a lot of people’s names listed here, and as a community you know some of those people.”
At Holy Family Parish in LaPorte, All Souls’ Day will be observed during the Saturday morning 8:30 a.m. Mass. On Sunday, Nov. 3 the church will host its annual “Cemetery Walk” to St. Joseph Cemetery – about five blocks away; the Rosary is recited on the way or once participants arrive. This is in partial fulfillment of requirements for the plenary indulgence (an action that removes all temporal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven) attached to visiting a cemetery.
“Holy Family Masses for All Saints’ and All Souls’ days are usually well attended,” said active parishioner Maggie Mundy LeRoy. “The people appreciate the importance of honoring the saints and praying for their dead. They realize that souls in purgatory cannot help themselves and need the prayers of those left on Earth.”
Holy Family also holds an annual Mass of Remembrance around the time of these feast days (Nov. 7 this year). It began in 1984 by the local St. Michael’s Council of the Knights of Columbus, and St. Joseph, St. Peter and Sacred Heart parishes rotated the honor of celebrating it. The bereavement ministries prepared and facilitated these occasions. Holy Family Parish and the Holy Family Bereavement Ministry with the K of C continue this tradition.
Invitations are sent to the families of the deceased parishioners from the past year (including those of St. John Canty in Rolling Prairie and St. Anthony of Padua in Walkerton). Pictures are printed in a worship aid for the Mass. Candles are blessed and lit from the Paschal Candle, and the names of the dead are read from the sanctuary, while loved ones approach to receive a candle.
“Our family members, friends and fellow parishioners who have died remain close to us at Holy Family Parish,” said LeRoy.
Mike Morris, executive assistant at St. Matthias in Crown Point, said these types of activities have gone over extremely well at his parish. He shared that the church often has a large turnout and added that even the people who can’t make it express their gratitude for the invitation.
“We feel it is important to honor and remember all of those we have lost,” said Morris. “It’s also important for the family members to know that they are not alone in their grief and there is plenty of support in the parish community.”
After the Mass of Remembrance on Nov. 13, the church will host a small reception for all the families that have attended. The leader of the parish’s grief support group is there to give anyone information that they may need.
Referring to the support group Morris added, “It’s open to parish members and non-parishioners, many of whom do not know we have this group until they attend the Mass”
Caption: Kathy Emmett, of Crown Point, looks for the candle with her mother's name on it prior to the start of the Mass of Remembrance on Oct. 27 at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer. Her mom, Patricia Ricciardi, passed away in January. (Erin Ciszczon photo)