Remembrance Mass: precious, joyful

Sydney
18 November 2001

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Remembrance Mass: precious, joyful

Catholic Mission supporter Helen Kemp with Fr Paul Finucane

By Kathleen Carmody

Supporters of Catholic Mission came together at a special service last week to remember friends and family who have died.

Held at St Thomas’ Church in Lewisham, the Remembrance Mass was Catholic Mission’s way of saying thank you to its loyal supporters by joining with them in their prayers and reflections for their loved ones who have entered into a new life with God.

“It was special, precious, yet joyful and happy,” said the diocesan director of Catholic Mission for Broken Bay, Fr Paul Finucane, who concelebrated the Mass with Deacon Bob Carroll of Catholic Mission, Parramatta.

The Mass, which was held to coincide with the Feast of All Souls, was a way for people who had been generous in supporting Catholic Mission to remember their loved ones, Fr Paul said.

During the Mass a register bearing the names of the deceased was carried to the altar and sprigs of rosemary – symbolising remembrance – were given to supporters as they left the church.

As well as praying for their own loved ones, the congregation also remembered those who had died in the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington and prayed for the innocent civilians and refugees in Afghanistan who are trying to escape tyranny and war.

Helen Kemp of Coogee attended the Mass to remember her mother and father, as well as other departed relatives and friends.

“I enjoyed the service. I always like to come,” she said.