Some of you may feel that every week we are praying for someone in the parish who has recently died.  Of course, given the average age of many of our parishioners, we have our fair share of deaths (on average, around 25 every year).  We are also aware that, in any given year, there are family members of our parishioners who died in various cities around our country and maybe abroad.  Many of these are brothers and sisters of parishioners.  Some are related in other ways, and some we lose are close to us, whether we are related to them or not.

I hope if you are someone who has lost a loved one since our last Parish Memorial Mass, November 2013, that you will come to our annual Parish Memorial Mass on Thursday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m.  All the parish is invited and encouraged to come, as we lift up to the Lord those who have died (including, for me, my uncle, Paul) and pray for the family and friends of the deceased.  A reception with refreshments will follow in the Lower Hall.  This Mass is always meaningful and helpful, especially for those who have lost loved ones here or elsewhere.  Please join us.