We will remember them

The month of November provides ample opportunities to pray for the departed, including today's Remembrance Sunday.  I attended the service at the Leyland War Memorial and the Civic Service at St Andrews, the Anglican Parish Church.  Though, of course, as Catholics, we are doing so much more than remembering - rather praying as well for the souls of the faithful departed.

The church in quiet readiness for Mass.

Yesterday, a Requiem Mass was offered here for deceased members and friends of the Order of St Lazarus, for the War Dead and for all the Holy Souls in this month of November.

A number of members have had significant bereavements over the past months.

Thank you to the ad hoc group of singers who sang the chant of the Mass and created such a prayerful atmosphere. Offering Mass with any of the traditional chant is so dependent on the services of those willing and able to provide music. In this the parish and the Order is admirably blessed by the talents and help of Mr Anthony Dickinson.

As well as members of the Order of St Lazarus, there were three other Chaplains of the Order present, so I was able to sit in choir and soak up the atmosphere.  My thanks to the Sacred Ministers.  Particular thanks to Canon Amaury Montjean (from Ss Peter and Paul's,, New Brighton) for acting as the MC and to the other servers.