As we conclude the month of November, we say goodbye to two dear members of our community
Linda Kraemer, widow of our own Deacon Mike Kraemer, died this morning at home surrounded by her family. She had bravely fought cancer for 18 years. More recently, she endured the loss of her beloved husband--a loss we shared as we so appreciated his devoted service here at Holy Family. Now they are reunited in eternity!
Linda's funeral will take place at her home parish of St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center (7025 Halifax Ave. N.) this coming Friday at 11am. A visitation will be held preceding it at 10am. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for the consolation of her family--having lost both parents in the past year and a half.
Elinor Shaw, longtime parishioner, died yesterday at a local nursing home. Elinor was a regular fixture in our adoration chapel. She would arrive early Saturday afternoon and stay and pray all the way until the vigil Mass which she would then attend. She would always be there on duty when I or the deacons would come to move the Blessed Sacrament to the main altar at 3:30pm as confessions begin. The past year or so she was unable to be here due to her declining health. She offered her prayers and sufferings for us from her sickbed. We will count on her continued assistance as she comes to rest in the merciful embrace of Jesus!
Elinor's funeral arrangements are still pending. Please keep her and her family in your prayers!
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them! May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!
The meaning of the "Hail Mary" after every Sunday Mass at Holy Family
The month of November is always dedicated to praying for the poor souls in Purgatory. Though the month may end, our prayers for those who go before us should never end!
Lest even a recent custom lose its meaning, it is a good time to remember that we drop to our knees after the closing hymn at Sunday Masses in order to offer Thanksgiving to the Lord for His blessings and to lift up two special intentions.
Our "Hail Mary" is offered for the next soul from our community to be called home to God. Linda and Elinor are the latest recipients of these prayers. Someday, it will be our turn and we will be grateful that our community lovingly prays for one another as we face the judgement seat of Christ.
The second intention accompanies our "St. Michael Prayer." Each one of us individually battles various temptations and we need heavenly assistance to remain faithful. In our days, the Church also faces mighty challenges from both inside and out. We pray that the Lord may send His angels to watch over and protect us so that we stay true to Him despite the opposition or enticements encouraging us to make peace with this world which is passing away!
Today also marks the Feast of Saint Andrew and thus the beginning of the traditional prayer to be said daily from now until Christmas:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.
Amen.