Homecoming

There’s something about this time of year.  It may be the alarm clock that rings before the sun rises.  Or way the moon dominates the early evening sky.  Perhaps it’s the signs of Halloween that (thanks be to God) hold the Christmas rush at bay for at least another week. 

There’s something about this time of year.  Despite the pushing of daylight savings time into November and nature’s recent resistance to change to its fall colors.

For me this “something” is wrapped in the celebrations of November.  It can be explained with one word:  Homecoming. 

Suddenly I’m a little boy pushing the silver button to call the elevator.  I step on and see 2 rows of 7 black buttons and one red button.  They look like thick checkers.  Never push the red button; only in an emergency.  I find the button next to the number 3 and push.   We get off the elevator and I ring the bell on the door to apartment 3E.  My grandmother looks through the peephole and quickly opens the door.  There’s no place like grandma and grandpa’s home for the holidays.

Just as thoughts of Thanksgiving connect me with my grandparents; the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed connect us with our deceased loved ones who are at the heavenly banquet.

Consider the words of Pope Francis:

The feasts of All Saints and All Souls are "days of hope."  The virtue of "hope is like a bit of leaven that enlarges your soul. There are difficult moments in life, but with hope you go forward and keep your eyes on what awaits us. “

*****

St. Mary’s is planning on creating memory boards with pictures of our beloved deceased to be collected and displayed during the month of November.  There will be a box at the front door of the church in which you can place pictures.  

If you can help either planning, designing, implementing or creating the boards please contact me at b.mauro1@yahoo.com or by calling the parish center at (973) 235-1100. 

In gratitude and hope,

Bruce