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Remember in November .... Pastoral letter from Bishop Francis.
31/Oct/2020
Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois‘Remember In November’ – A Pastoral Letter for November 2020
Bishop Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois
November is a time to remember and pray for family members, colleagues, neighbours and
friends who have died since this time last year. Those who have gone before us, those who
were so much present with us, so central to our lives, have left us with a deep sense of loss.
We look for peace, for healing of heartache, and for hope.
This year is particularly difficult for those who have been bereaved since March. Those
profound feelings of loss have been heightened by not being able to be present at a time of
death and by the absence of the familiar family and community supports.
Familiar Faces
The lockdown and restrictions have impacted on how we say goodbye to our loved ones.
Some sadly died without familiar faces around them, some left this life with the caring
presence of hospital and nursing home staff, we are grateful to them.
Familiar faces, consoling words and reminiscence are all important in our grieving process.
Many have not had the traditional practices that help us: wakes, gatherings at home, reception
of remains at the church and a funeral Mass with an unrestricted attendance. These
experiences have added to the sense of loss.
Sacraments
We have been without the normal free flowing schedule of Masses and sacraments for over
seven months now. Our priests and parishioners have made great efforts to keep our
churches open and safe and welcoming, for this we are very thankful. Although we have
moved online, and on television, for Mass, it is not the same. In his message for World
Mission Day 2020, Pope Francis writes,
‘Being forced to observe social distancing and to stay at home invites us to rediscover
that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God.’
We long so much to be back in church, with the support of a gathering, and the meaningful
participation of being present with others, an expression of who we are and what we believe
in.
Uncertainty for young people and the economy
Our remembrance this November takes place at a time of continuing uncertainty, isolation
and economic hardship. We take reassurance from the good practices learned in all areas of
life about how to keep ourselves and others safe. Every day we should reassure our young
people of our love and support and help them to nurture their God-given gifts.
We take reassurance from the determination of our political leaders to bring us through this
pandemic as safely and as socially and economically resilient as possible. We take
reassurance from our belief in a caring God who encourages us to make wise decisions for
the common good and to look out for each other. Jesus’ call to ‘love your neighbour as
yourself’ has taken on a new meaning in the current context of caring and of keeping safe.
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Hope based in Jesus ensures all will be well
We have the reassurance of the Lord that all will be well and that He will strengthen our
ability to lift ourselves and others with resolve and hope during this terrible time. Resolve to
do our very best to ensure maximum safety. Hope based in Jesus’ promise to be with us
always ‘until the end of time’ (Matt 28: 20). In his extraordinary Urbi et Orbi address of
March 2020, Pope Francis said,
‘In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances
to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to
the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side’
The risen Lord is with us.
#Remember in November
During the month of November parishes will continue with their remembrance practices in so
far as the restrictions allow, November lists, remembrance trees, candles and other local
traditions.
On Sunday 1 November at 3.00pm a special Remembrance Service will take place in Saint
Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, and will be broadcast by webcam on www.longfordparish.com . I
invite you to join us online as we remember, pray for those who have gone before us and for
those who mourn. In a similar way on social media I encourage you to use the hastag
#RememberInNovember along with your prayerful messages to commemorate the souls of
our loved ones. May our departed rest in peace and may the Lord bring consolation to those
who grieve.
+Francis Duffy
Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois