Service of Remembrance at St Theresa’s on November 2nd All Souls Day
The celebration of the Feast All Souls was prayerful and moving and very well attended. Members of the Care Group were responsible for inviting the families of those who had died in 2016/17 to remember them in a specially prepared Mass. Each member of a family was presented with a candle which they came up to light and place on the stand. The names of deceased loved ones were written on small cards and then tied with purple and white ribbons on to the branches of a Prayer Tree. Every family was also given a white rose to which was tied a small prayer card as a memento. There were also many parishioners who joined them and they too remembered their loved ones.
This was the first time we had organised a Remembrance Service and the immediate response from people was very positive. It brought home to everyone that those whom we have lost are still very much with us and that the “Communion of Saints” is something to really celebrate. The mentioning of each family member by name meant a great deal to everyone as did the ritual of going up as a whole congregation, calling to mind the father, mother, husband, wife, child, sister, brother , grandparent or friend by lighting a candle for them.
Thanks to all for a team effort and thanks too to the Social Group who put on such delicious refreshments. Funds provided by the caring group.
Remembrance Service Poem
Written by Wendy Robbie
Today we remember our loved ones who’ve died
We remember our loss and tears we’ve cried
The days we thought we just couldn’t get through
The night dark and black, all we needed was you
It’s hard to understand but we know you had to go
To a better place with no sorrow or woe
We remember the little things that made you just you
We put on a smile and somehow muddle through
We remember your warmth, your loving touch
The twinkle in your eye, how we loved you so much
The time ticks by and we wish you were here
We reply our memories and feel you are near
We miss you but we remember the fun times we had
All the ups and down, good times and bad
You are greatly missed. Forgotten never!
We remember you now, always and forever.