This weekend we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, which is an inspiring occasion in itself, but which also marks the beginning of the month of November. This is quickly followed on Monday by All Souls, properly known as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. The coming together of the two feasts takes us beyond seeing November as simply “the month of the Holy Souls”, and points to that wonderful part of our faith that we call “the communion of the saints”. This is telling us that we all belong, past and present, alive and dead. We are bound together by our faith, our hope and our love.

In each church you will find a Book of Commemoration where you can write the names of your loved ones. Please enter your names, and also take a look at it from time to time in the month and offer those people to God in your prayers. All those named will be remembered in one or more “Altar List” Masses celebrated each week during the month.

Next Saturday 7th November we celebrate our annual Mass of Memories 10.00am. in Christ the King. I always enjoy this Mass, if “enjoy” is the right word. It really underlines that “communion” I just mentioned. Not only are we one in our bereavement, one with our loved ones, but we are also one with each other on our pilgrimage helping to carry our crosses. We especially name and remember those who have died over the last twelve months.

The annual Requiem for Deceased Clergy this year takes place at St Peter’s in Roath on Tuesday 10th November at 3.00pm.

Fr Matthew