Remembering Beloved Saints
All Saints Day is more than a day!
It is three days to be inspired by the Saints and remember those who have gone before.
All Saints Eve (aka Halloween, October 31) acknowledges the reality of death and reminds us that we have nothing to fear. In ancient times and even today in some cultures, it was thought that those who had died came into closer contact with the living on this day. That’s the idea behind all the spooky decorations! For Christians, though, All Saints Eve is a reminder that neither life nor death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. That’s why we have fun on this day.
All Saints Day (November 1) focuses on the saints remembered by the whole Church who were clear examples of the life of Christ in their day. These were people like us who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew. We give thanks for their witness and pray to be like them.
The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (aka All Souls Day, November 2) honors the entire communion of saints, those known by many or known only to us. It celebrates their eternal life with God from which they pray for us and share in God’s mission of love in the world.
All Saints Sunday (the first Sunday after All Saints, November 5 this year) often gathers all of these purposes into one day, hopefully without losing the importance of each observance.
Join us for these events celebrating all the Saints!
A meaningful All Saints custom at St. Thomas is the remembrance of those who have gone before us in the faith. To add a name to our necrology (a list of names of those who have died), please complete the form below or email to [email protected] by Sunday, October 29. We want this to be a long list! Names added do not have to be members of St. Thomas. We hold all in loving memory.
Here is how we will celebrate and remember together:
Wednesday, November 1, All Saints Day
We will read aloud the names of parishioners who died in the last year and all who are interred in the Columbarium.
Sunday, November 5, All Saints Sunday
All names submitted will be printed in the bulletin for both services and named aloud in our prayers at the 8:30 service.
The names of all who died within the last year will be named aloud in our prayers at the 10:30 service.
This form has expired.
Tags: News / Voices / Worship / Seasonal Events