“Gone before us, marked with the sign of faith”
The time gives way from October the month of the Rosary; to November when we remember the Holy Souls. Each year this has been a source of graces strengthening our faith. It offers a fresh source from which we can renew and strengthen our faith. My dad who suffered a great amount of constant pain, had great devotion to the Stations of the Cross. Always for Lent and Easter, but also through the year, especially during the month of November when devotions allied to indulgencies are great incentives to the admonition “pray constantly and never loose heart”.
The temptation to loose heart at this time is very real. I have been greatly helped by the endeavours of our two communities to try to renew and build up our parish after the pandemic. Those who have gone before us still play a real part. We have two funerals at this time for those who have died, Margaret and Sue have really strengthened and enriched my faith and they have left a tangible legacy. When caring for them I felt a sense of real tragedy of death giving way to the bright promise of eternal life. The gift of life is now real to them and they were well prepared for eternal life, yes we walk through this valley of darkness and at this time it is very real. With so many persons like Margaret and Sue gone before us, let us lift up our hearts and continue on our journey with great hope.