"Let the Star Lead You Home"

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Mass of Remembrance 2015

“Lord, make m an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair; hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,


To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,



During the month of November, the month of remembrance, we are asked to take the time to pray for those who have died and give thanks for loved ones who have made a deep and lasting impression on our lives.

Martin Delaney tells a story about how one night he was driving from Kerry to Dublin. It was just about this time of year. Even though it was cold and crisp, the sun show brightly for most of his long car journey. Evening was approaching and as he entered the final phase of his journey, he noticed that the magnificent sunshine that had been his loving companion on the day’s journey was about to leave him. Dusk descended quickly and then, in his rearview mirror, he noticed a curious object in the sky. At first he was not sure what it was, and then he realized it was the moon tentatively making its faintest appearance. Meanwhile, the sun, which had lit up so many of the faces he had seen on his journey that day, continued with its inevitable departure. However, his heart got a little lift when he noticed that, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, the moon behind him became brighter and brighter. When the sun finally disappeared, the moon majestically took its place as the brightest object in the sky.

During the final leg of his journey, he reflected on the beautiful transition he had just witnessed. He realized that the moon was simply reflecting the light of the sun, now hidden from him. Somehow the moon was continuing the work of the sun. In some real way the moon assured him that the sun lived on internally and continue to brighten up his life.

This month, as we remember all of our loved ones, especially those who have died in the past year, we are reminded again of the reflection Martin Delaney had as the sun went down only to be replaced by a different light of the moon.

All of our loved ones, in one way or another, lived their lives, like the sun. They brought light and warmth into the lives of their families and friends. They were the source and sustainer of your lives. In the warmth of their embrace, others were empowered and enlightened. From them, we received incredible gifts, in the energy to develop those gifts for the good of others. In their light was also reflected the light of God, the love and compassion of God.

As we have seen, since the death of our loved ones, the light is different, like that of the moon. It is the same light that we knew while they were living on Earth, but it is a reflected light. It is a light reflected in the memories of our hearts and souls. 

Our loved ones do live on. They live on in our hearts and in our souls and in the kingdom of heaven this day. Their light, their influence and their love are still very much a part of who we are on our earthly journey toward the kingdom of heaven.

On Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 the Epiphany of Our Lord Community will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance dedicated to all of those who have gone before us, especially those who have gone home to heaven in the past year. We ask God for His continued comfort, strength, faith and hope in God’s promise of everlasting life. 

The following are the names of the loved ones that we remember at our Mass this year:

Peter Aleksandrowicz

Mary Andres

Richard Bantle

Donald Blemaster

Betty Brown

James Butzer

Barbara Chandler

Martin Dole

Francis Dollard

Francis Enser

Ray Enser

James Forness

Stella Fox

Douglas Gallagher

Eugene Gallagher Jr.

Steve Holmes

Chester Hornberger

Georgianna Konert

Helen Longbine

Timothy Moore

Richard Nichols

David Schmitt

Clifford Schmitz

John Schmitz

Mary Louise Skora

Ronald Skora

Walter Skora

Tom Smolinski

Jean Thiel

Blain Warner

Marjorie Warner

Ralph Wittmeyer


  • Sharon Gallagher

    How very beautiful!