The COVID pandemic has caused time lapses and disruptions for all of us. These have been stressful when they have affected weddings, graduations, celebrations of family and life events with last minute postponements and cancellations. 

Some of the more especially painful moments were the restrictions on in-person attendance at wakes, funeral Masses and rites of committal. Loved ones—family members and friends who died whether from COVID or not—passed on to new life without our being able to express our condolences or hug those who were grieving. This loss has deeply touched our parish faith communities at St. John the Evangelist, St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Mary.

To allow us at The Holy Rood Collaborative to remember and honor the lives of loved ones who passed to new life during the time of COVID restrictions, the Ministry of Hope is planning a “COVID In Memoriam”—a simple ritual to be observed at our Annual Outdoor Mass on Sunday, September 11. This ritual will provide a way for all who wish to remember, at a Eucharistic celebration, the life of a loved one who passed during this time period: March 2020 through June 2021. We remember and we believe in new life. We celebrate as believers in the Paschal Mystery.
 
Ribbon banners displaying the names of our loved ones will be carried in the entrance procession of the Mass and will be placed near the altar. This will be a visual reminder to keep these loved ones in prayer.
 
If you would like to submit the name of someone you wish to have remembered at this Mass—someone who passed to ‘new life” during the time of COVID restrictions—please complete the form that can be found to the right.