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Friday, November 1, 2019
11.3.19
Remembering Those We Have Loved and Lost
In these months since my parents’ passing (my mother in February and my father in April), I have discovered that everything I ever heard about grief is true. It really does come in “waves.” I’ll be going along fine, and then find myself tearful at the oddest moments. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of them and even the smallest things - a song, a smell, a phrase, the way I fold my hands - will remind me of them. I also have to say that on a fairly regular basis it is like I can feel their presence, not in a spooky, haunting way (happy Halloween, by the way), but in a “communion of the saints” kind of way. I’m not canonizing them, but I have every hope that they are with God, first and foremost because of the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ, and because I know firsthand how beautifully each of them received that gift and tried to live accordingly. Also, I was blessed to offer them everything the Church has to offer for their journey home on the day each of them died. This month of November is set apart as a time of remembrance for our beloved dead, beginning with a celebration of all who are in fact alive in heaven (some of whom have been officially recognized by the Church), “All Saints Day,” followed by the commemoration of “All Souls,” a day in which we remember and pray for all those who have died, commending their souls to God. In all of this, I am reminded of the introductory words of the vigil service from Catholic funeral ritual: “We believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.” How true. There is more than this life. How we live this life matters in the next. And the bonds we have forged in this life with our loved ones transcend time and space. Be sure to take some time this month to think about, pray for, and give thanks to God for all those you have loved and lost. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual shine upon them. --Fr. Thom
Sunday, November 3 10:30am Christ the King Chapel
All Faiths are welcome! Mass will include a blessing for families. Then stick around forcoffee & doughnuts after Mass!
Family Weekend Service Project: River Bend Food Bank - Backpack Party! Saturday, November 2 Pick from two times: 8:00am - 10:00am (Meet at Chapel Gathering Space at 7:45am) 10:30am - 12:30pm (Meet at Chapel Gathering Space at 10:15am)
The River Bend Food Bank has a volunteer activity for a family or group of friends. This is an assembly-line style activity to put together bags of food for schools within our service area to send home with students in need to feed them throughout the weekend. The food bank is trying to get the entire month's worth of menus made in one day! All ages are welcome.
Find yourself too busy? Need to take a break, but can't find the time? Join in our Busy Student Retreat! Commit to four days of just two 1/2 hour periods per day, one spent in prayer, and one in discussion with a spiritual guide, built around your schedule. We encourage you to sign up for a simple, yet powerful, retreat experience!
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry? Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen? EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.
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