Pray4... The Dead

It is our Christian duty to pray for our departed brothers and sisters. Last night hundreds of people joined us at St. Dominic's to fulfil this duty, remembering our loved ones who are no longer with us before the Lord at the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Many people arrived early to pray silently for their loved ones.

The Parish Priest, Fr Tim Calvert OP, presided at the Mass, during which the Parish Book of the Dead was placed near the altar.

Fr Tim censes the altar

Fr Gregory Pearson OP proclaims the gospel

In his sermon, Fr Tim reflected on the Lord's words that there are "many rooms in the Father's house" (John 14:2), noting that in Christ our sorrow and mourning takes on the light of God's hope.

Other members of the Dominican community concelebrated or attended in choro. Many of those attending had first met the community through the ministry of our two hospital chaplains, Fr Dominican Ryan and Fr Peter Harries, or as a result of a recent funeral. Despite the obvious sadness, it was nice to welcome so many friends, old and new, in a spirit of thanksgiving and hope.

  

Many people stopped to chat after Mass, and some joined us for refreshments in the cloister. The Parish will continue to support the bereaved: Fr Leo Edgar - recently returned to London after six years as Prior of Newcastle - will be running a bereavement group that will meet regularly for prayer, reflection and supportive fellowship.