This poem reminds me of my husband's family. It is from the caretaker and historian of Littermullen, Ireland, John Bhaba Jack O'Chonghaola John Bhaba Jack O'Chonghaola is at Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin.
As everybody knows, I'm no theologian. In fact, as everybody knows, I'm just a simple, old lady. Even so, I'd like to describe my dinner table--at least my guest list.
Everyone's invited. If I thought everyone was coming, I'd have to rent a hall, but I'm envisioning the guest list would include my immediate family. That means, those who have broken laws, don't share our political views, nor our religious views, never mind our morality. Even so, they're family and welcome to sit at the table.
I know parents who are very authoritarian and say that in my house, it's my rules, or leave. And don't let the door hit you on the way out!!!!
But I've seen that that doesn't bring anyone back into the fold. In fact, it just causes deeper division.
I believe hubby's and my way to be better.
BTW, if you're coming for dinner, just let me know, so I can add more to the soup. You're welcome to share what we have.
My granddaughter who will be making her First Holy Communion in 2022 drew God. This is what she imagines Him. He's male, with a beard. He's on top of the world but not in the world. See the world?
I asked her why He was frowning and she said, "What difference does it make?"
I couldn't think of an answer.
Look again.
My grandchildren affirmed a decision hubby and I were discerning. You see today is All Soul's Day, so I took my grandchildren to the cemetery today to pray for the poor souls. My grandchildren are half Italian, hence they called their grandfather, Nono. So we visited Nono's grave.
I was showing my grandchildren the columbarium. Hubby and I are deciding whether we want to be cremated or not. I expressed these thoughts to my grandchildren. They were upset. They want us to be buried the traditional way.
I had no idea they would feel that way.
All Hallowed Tide refers to the three days: Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. It is a feast to remember the dead. In fact, the month of November has an indulgence, at least for this year, that if you visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased, all month, you may gain an indulgence.
Due to the ongoing pandemic and related health and safety measures, the Apostolic Penitentiary – in response to requests from bishops around the world – is once again extending opportunities to gain indulgences for the benefit of the faithful departed.
By means of the decree, the Apostolic Penitentiary “confirms and extends for the entire month of November 2021 all the spiritual benefits already granted on 22 October 2020” – that is, it allows the faithful to gain plenary indulgences for the souls in purgatory by visiting a cemetery on every day in November and praying for those who have died; normally, the indulgence is limited to the first eight days of the month.
The Penitentiary notes in the decree that “from the renewed generosity of the Church, the faithful will certainly draw pious intentions and spiritual vigour to guide their lives according to the Gospel law, in filial communion and devotion to the Supreme Pontiff, the visible foundation and Pastor of the Catholic Church.”
The present Decree, like the one issued last year in the midst of the pandemic, is intended to meet the need to avoid gatherings, a potential cause of the spread of Covid-19, which still affects the world's population to varying degrees.
