All Saints Day, which is on Saturday, November 1, is a Holy Day, but, since it is on Saturday this year, it is not a day that we are obliged to attend Mass.  There will be an All Saints Day Mass at 8:00 AM at St. Anthony’s. All Soul’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, November 2, starting with the November 1 Saturday evening Vigil Mass.
During the month of November, we remember and pray for all the faithful departed, those holy souls who are being purified and made ready for heaven. The candles with the names of our loved ones will burn in our Church during the month of November, starting next Sunday, All Souls Day. Take an envelope and write the names of those you want to be remembered on it, place your offering in it, and drop it in the basket this week or next week.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we read: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo a purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.” (1030-1031)
“By virtue of the ‘communion of saints,’ the Church commends the dead to God’s mercy and offers her prayers, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, on their behalf.” (1055)