Month of Remembrance
The morning rush to Mass should feel a bit easier as the clocks go back an hour this weekend. The benefit of more winter light in the mornings means that we will also experience the lengthening evening darkness. As November draws near and we approach the final weeks of the church’s year our thoughts turn to thanksgiving for the witness of faith of so many people who have gone before us, of praying for the dead and of the final coming of God’s Kingdom. The great Feast of All Saints will be celebrated at our Vigil and Sunday Masses next weekend. We will honour the heroic witness of faith of so many who now rest with God and who, through their example and intercession, inspire us to follow in their footsteps.
Throughout the month of November Masses are offered for our deceased loved ones remembered in the Pious List but there are a number of special celebrations when we particularly pray for those who have served us in the past. The day of special prayer for the dead, All Souls, is celebrated on Monday 3rd November this year. The evening Mass on this day at 5pm will be celebrated at the High Altar with the Cathedral Youth Choir and lay clerks singing music from Faure’s Requiem. Those attending are welcome to bring photos of loved ones who they wish to pray for, which can be placed on the sanctuary along with the pious list, during Mass.
The Chapter of Canons meet in the Cathedral on Thursday 6th November to offer Mass and Office of the Dead for deceased priests of the Diocese at 12.15pm.
The following Sunday is Remembrance Sunday when we offer special prayers for those who have died in service of our community and country in times of conflict and all who have sacrificed their lives in public service of peacekeeping duties. At the final Mass of the church year on the Feast of Christ the King as we celebrate our patronal feast, the Mass is offered for all the deceased benefactors and parishioners of our Cathedral. If you wish to have people remembered at Masses and included in the Pious List for November please write the names and put them in an envelope marked Pious List and either pass them in to Cathedral House or place them in the basket on the altar at the beginning of the month.
Monsignor Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
