November 2, 2025
Dear Most Holy Trinity Family,
This weekend we will be remembering our beloved departed sisters and brothers. Some of us will remember our grandparents, spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends, and relatives. We pray for them because this is a sacred duty, and an act of care, and love. Praying for them is a reminder that the power of love, and of the resurrection, is stronger than the force of death. Our belief in the life of the resurrection is an act of faith and of love. The commemoration of the faithful departed reminds us that Christ has turned suffering into glory, and death into life.
Moreover, the commemoration of the faithfully departed reminds us that we are only pilgrims on the earth. This weekend’s celebration should be infused with hope for us because the belief in the resurrection is at the core of Christian faith and doctrine. Saint
Paul, one of the early writers of the New Testament, came to this understanding early on. In his letter to the Thessalonians, he says:
“If we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
This deeply and moving statement of faith comes to us prior to the writings of the gospels. The dead shall be raised to dwell in the eternal dwelling place. So, let us not lose hope, but rather join in prayer for our beloved departed brothers and sisters to entrust them to the love and care our merciful God.
Thank you,
Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ
Pastor
