Diocese Day of Remembrance

Traditionally, November is the month when we call to mind all our loved ones, who are no longer with us. It is also a time when we make time to visit family, friends and neighbours who have been bereaved and who might find November a difficult time of the year.

Little did we think this time last year, that in a few months, something we had never heard of, could have such an impact on every aspect of our lives – Covid-19.

And so we are in a November when we cannot reach out and visit family or friends who are bereaved and in need of comfort and support at this sad time. Knowing how important it is to connect with grieving families, a group, working together in the Diocese of Killaloe, got together to plan on how to assure these people that even though we cannot be with them, we all join together as Faith Communities to support them and grieve with them albeit at a distance.

This is how a Day of Remembrance on November 20th has come about in the Catholic Diocese of Killaloe, in collaboration with the Anglican Diocese of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert. The day will help us to remember our own beloved dead and those who have been bereaved through the death of loved ones, whose passing and mourning in the past 9 months has been so cruelly affected by the Covid-19 protocols in hospitals and nursing homes and around funerals.

On the Day of Remembrance, there will be invitations to short moments of prayer through the day:

A short radio message and blessing from Bishop Fintan and Bishop Kenneth Kearon (Church of Ireland) will begin the day (this will also be available on diocesan and parish websites, on Facebook and other social media platforms);

A Diocese-wide moment of silence and individual prayer at 12 noon to remember the dead and bereaved. The angelus bell will be a reminder of this moment.

A short prayer time to be broadcast on Clare FM and Tipp FM on Friday evening around 7p.m.;

People are invited to light candles and place them in the window in the evening as an act of remembrance.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”