We remember with love those who have gone before us.
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
and may perpetual light shine upon them.

Dear sisters and brothers.

Greetings!

Every year, we as Catholics around the world reflect on the importance of All Souls’ Day as we remember the faithful departed. We remember loved ones from our family, our friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Grief is the price we pay when we love someone deeply, and they die suddenly or from an extended illness. The loss can leave us feeling hurt, numb, and alone. Yet, we are never truly alone. Through Jesus Christ, who died and rose for our salvation, we have the promise of eternal life. We believe that, by God’s mercy and grace, our earthly journey will one day lead us into His presence, where we will be reunited with those we love. This is the hope we hold onto. This is the promise of our faith.

Our ancient practice of Prayers for the Dead derives from the first-century practice of the early church, when Christians were confined in the catacombs and wrote on their walls, “Remember us who have gone before you, in your prayers.” That posture of prayer has endured since the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation for our Annual All Souls’ Day Appeal. Your generous gift this month will include daily prayers for all your loved ones during this month by our Franciscan friars and parishioners- yes, every day during November. We really appreciate your kind gift to our Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

The early Fathers of the Church encouraged this practice of remembering the dead. Tertullian (AD 160-240) wrote about the anniversary Masses for the Dead, advising widows and widowers to pray for their spouses. St. Augustine (AD 354-430 wrote that he prayed for his deceased mother, St. Monica, who became the patron saint of mothers.

The Synods of Nicaea, Florence, and Trent encouraged offering prayers for the dead, which cited Scriptural evidence for the remission of sin through prayers by their living loved ones.

When St. Francis of Assisi wrote the world-famous “Canticle of the Creatures,” he personified the end of life as “Sister Death.” For St. Francis, death is the midpoint between life with God on earth and life with God in Heaven. Death is not final but transitory. That is why we Franciscans celebrate the death of St. Francis on October 3 in a ceremony called “The Transitus.” Francis dies in front of his fellow friars and St. Clare

of Assisi, but his soul is raised to Heaven as a sign of immortality. Our bodies are mortal, but our souls are immortal. After Judgment Day, those who believe and worship will be elevated to Heaven and reunited with all whom we love.

As you consider your November gift to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, I ask you to remember this message of hope. Your generosity helps us keep this sacred place open—a place where we pray for our departed loved ones, celebrate the Sacraments, comfort those who grieve, and proclaim the hope of eternal life.

Here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, we faithfully honor and remember our deceased loved ones who have touched our lives and left an enduring legacy of love, guidance, and faith. If you would like to join us in this special All Souls’ Day Remembrance, we invite you to send us the name of your loved one. You may also submit a non-returnable photograph, which will be placed at the altar on November 2.

We will offer a special Mass of Remembrance on November 2 at 6:00 PM as we pray for all those who have gone before us and entrust them to the loving mercy of God. Please visit our website for more information and for a link to submit a photograph of your loved one.

On behalf of the Franciscan friars, our parish staff, and lay leaders, we pray with you in holiness as we pray for the dead and remember the faithful departed. May God bless you and your family always!

Blessings to you and yours,

Father Brian Jordan, OFM, Pastor