Religious Education 

 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

 all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 

This week we celebrate the Feast of All Saints and All Souls Day.

A Prayer for All Saints

We give you thanks, O God,for all the saints  who ever worshiped you.Whether in bush arbours or cathedrals, weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses where your name was lifted and adored.We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise: Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil, Strong hands and those gnarled with age Holy hands used as wave offerings across the land.We thank you, God, for hardworking saints; whether hard-hatted or steel-booted,head ragged or aproned, blue-collared or three-piece-suited.They left their mark on the earth for you, for us,for our children to come.Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. Bless the memories of your saints, God. May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love. 

Amen

Source: Irish Central

On this day, we remember those who have died, particularly in the past year;names and voices we will never know, yet sisters, brothers all.For victims of war, caught in unresolved conflict crossfires, soldiers, civilians, adults and children.For migrants who died seeking a haven for themselves and their families.For victims of hunger, denied their share in earth’s bounty.For victims of Covid-19, AIDS, Malaria, Ebola, and other infectious diseases,who died without adequate care.For refugees seeking asylum from war, who died in a land not home.For victims of emergencies and calamities,who died amid chaos and confusion.For family members and friends, near and far,who died in a time of lockdown and pandemic,when we could not easily farewell them.Lord, as you command, we reach out to the fallen.For all of these we pray,Grant eternal rest, O Lord. 

Amen 

Source: Adapted Catholic Relief Services