Each November, the Catholic Church remembers and prays for the souls of all the faithful departed in a special way.
Following the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st (2023), the following day is the Commemoration of All Souls. For several years, St. Aloysius Parish has celebrated this day beginning with Mass at 7:30 am, followed by an extended period of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm, during which we remember the members of our parish and family members who have passed away over the past year.
This year, our Commemoration of All Souls will be on Thursday, November 2nd (2023). Each person’s name is recited and family members who are present are invited to light a memorial candle in remembrance of their loved one.
As we continue to form our Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community Family, we are inviting parishioners of all our family of parishes to remember their loved ones during this service. Invitations have been sent to the next of kin of those who have had a Mass of Christian Burial at our parishes. If you have lost a family member in the past year who did not have a Mass of Christian Burial in one of our parishes, we would like to include them as well. Please call St. Aloysius Church rectory at (716) 592-2701 and let us know the name of your family member, whether you or another family member will be present to light the candle in their memory (the name will be included and a candle lighted even if you are not able to be present), and whether you and your family will be joining us for a reception following the Evening Prayer service in St. Aloysius Parish Hall.
We would also appreciate an approximate number of people attending the reception so that we can prepare appropriately. If your family member had a service through one of our parishes, and you did not receive an invitation from us, we apologize for the oversight and hope that you will contact us with the information so that they may be remembered as part of our commemoration.
Based on the bulletin of October 15, 2023.
