By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic
Celebrants process toward the entrance to the chapel at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, led by Knights of Columbus.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino gives the homily. "We are created to be forever young, forever with God," he said.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino consecrates the Eucharist. Behind him, left to right, are Father Michael Hoyer of St. Gregory Church, Plantation; Deacon Denis Mieyal of St. Andrew Church, Coral Springs; and Deacon Daniel Blaha of Blessed Sacrament Church, Oakland Park.
Leading the worshipers in contemporary Christian songs are Mike McKnight on keyboard and soloist Linda Ingrisano.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino gives Communion to a Mass participant.
After Mass, Bishop Peter Baldacchino offers to let a little boy hold his crozier. The boy didn�t accept.
Photography: JIM DAVIS | FC
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
After Mass, Bishop Peter Baldacchino offers to let a little boy hold his crozier. The boy didn’t accept.
NORTH LAUDERDALE | More than 350 people attended All Souls Day Mass Nov. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, seeking consolation and offering prayers for departed loved ones.
And Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino, the main celebrant, hastened to offer them that consolation.
"The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no evil can touch them," he told his listeners in a marbled chapel at the cemetery. "We are created to be forever young, and forever with God."
The Mass drew a capacity crowd, with about 45 people watching via video in an overflow room. All Souls Day is a special time to pray for the spiritual purification of loved ones who have died. In contrast to All Saints Day, Nov. 1, All Souls Day is for gathering to pray for those who have not yet attained heaven.
"Certainly, the memories we bring today are painful," Bishop Baldacchino acknowledged to his listeners who were grieving. But, he reminded them, "Even if we pass through a dark valley, we have hope that the plan of God is superior to ours. Life on earth is short. What are 30, 50, 100 years compared to eternity?"
Bishop Baldacchino was among a half-dozen clergy at the Mass, including priests and deacons from nearby churches. Seven Knights of Columbus provided a color guard during the procession.
Leading songs were soloist Linda Ingrisano and keyboardist Mike McKnight. Besides psalms and Alleluias, they sang Christian contemporary songs, such as "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord."
