Letter from the Pastor
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October 31, 2021I would think that after Christmas, today’s holiday would be children’s favorite: Halloween. It may be the candy or dressing up into their favorite character’s costume, or the parade or going to the stores in Town. Halloween should be a fun holiday for kids; however it didn’t start out that way.
There are only three holidays that start the night before, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and today, All Hallows’ Eve. Christmas Eve is celebrated because there is a pious tradition that Christ was born at Midnight; the new year begins at the start of the day, midnight. Halloween is celebrated because it is the Vigil of All Saints Day (All Hallows) and prior to that the ancient Druids of the Celtic lands believed that at the stroke of midnight the souls of the dead and evil spirits roamed the earth and needed to be comforted and avoid their mischief.
Halloween is a very Catholic and ancient feast, quite unique and important; it should be preserved and even defended. People of faith and the secular world look at Halloween differently, but what is in common is that death is a fact of life. It is because of the death of our Lord, that death no longer should scare us. For a Christian death is not the enemy of mankind. Death has been conquered by the hope of the Resurrection, and our salvation.
Many ancient church buildings have skeletons or the skull and cross bones inscribed on its walls or in art, to remind the faithful of the fact of death. Even vestments used at funeral Masses had the skeleton embroidered. Death cannot be denied; it comes for all of us. So the skeleton to a Catholic is a true and fitting reminder of the reality of death and the need to prepare for it properly. Today a skeleton is a source of entertainment and decorations for those who enjoy being scared, or it can present an uncomfortable reminder of what awaits us.
Halloween begins with the twin feasts of All Saints and All Souls. Traditions commemorating these days have been evolving for over a thousand years. The modern custom of dressing up and going door to door for candy is the American version of former Irish and English traditions that comes from the tradition of going door-to-door to exchange “soul cakes” for prayers for the faithful departed in that home.
I know that with most of Catholic feast days, they have been hijacked by the secular world, and the beautiful Catholic roots have been cut out. We don’t have to cave into the modern thought, but we can hold on to the real and true meanings of the holidays.
So, I think it is important for the children to celebrate Halloween; it’s fun for them. Obviously stay far away from Ouija Boards or summoning of the Dead! Rather enjoy the costumes, the trick and treating, the candy, Jack o lanterns and decorations. Enjoy all the fun of the “spooky night” and the scary movies etc. Yet, as you go out trick or treating remember to say a little prayer for those who died from that house. As you dress up in the costumes of your heroes and heroines, remember our real heroes and heroines are the Saints.
Beyond that, put Halloween back into its proper place in your house, as simply the beginning of
All Saints and All Souls Day.
Speaking of All Saints Day, this year All Saints Day is not a day of Obligation to attend Mass. I do encourage you to attend Mass, and on Tuesday to attend Mass for all your family and friends who have died. Our Parish will offer nine Masses for all those enrolled in our All Souls Novena. Envelopes are on the tables near the entrances of the Church, and they will be placed on the Altar.
BEYOND SUNDAY MORNINGNext Sunday November 6-7 at all the Masses, the Archdiocese is asking us to make a commitment to our parish for an increase of our weekly contributions. You should receive a letter with my signature on it asking you to make the commitment next weekend. Extra envelopes will be in the pews.
