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| Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv |
"Friendship and concern does
not end at death, but continues," Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., told some
60 people Nov. 18 at a Service of Remembrance, co-sponsored by St. Joseph
Fraternity and St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church. "We have the opportunity to
reflect on how they have touched our lives and to reflect on how they are part
of the reality of God's church."
He urged the assembly, there to
remember Franciscans and members of the parish who embraced Sister Death in the
past year, to "recognize we are not just praying for them, but they are
praying for us… We have quite literally an army of saints who pray for
us."
Fr. Henry added, "They
continue to touch our lives."
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| Mary Stronach, OFS, leads prayer service. |
Held in the church, the prayer
service was led by Mary Stronach, OFS, with Roberta Mickey, OFS, reading a
passage from the New Testament and leading the intercessory prayers. Inquirer
Ellen Benton read the names of the deceased and invited family members to come
up and place flowers in vases at the foot of the altar in memory of their loved
ones. Ana Pereira, OFS, Bill McMyler, OFS, and Inquirers Ed and Sandy Rooney placed
flowers in memory of those who had no family member present.
Music was provided by Andrew
Siuta and Christine Mickey. Fraternity Minister Joanne Lockwood, OFS, produced
the prayer service program.
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| Fr. Richard Dellos |
Fr. Richard Dellos, pastor,
concluded the service with a blessing and offered thanks to Secular Franciscans
for organizing the service and to Fr. Henry for traveling from the Albany area
to participate.
The flower vases representing the
deceased were then placed before the Blessed Sacrament in the Perpetual
Adoration Chapel, while the assembly adjourned to the parish center for refreshments
and fellowship.
