By Ann Marie Foley - 26 November, 2013
Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork.
Deceased loved ones are being remembered at a special Mass in Cork this weekend in which candles will play a significant symbolic role.
Prayers for loved ones on altar lists of the dead are usually offered during November, the month of the Holy Souls.
However, this is the first time that this particular Mass is being celebrated by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
“The Light Up a Memory Mass is an opportunity to remember with fondness and affection those who are no longer with us,” according to Fr Michael O’Connell MSC.
“A light is a unique gift in honour of someone special, a loved one who is in your thoughts. The light that shines and becomes an inspiring beacon of remembrance and reflection for you,” Fr O’Connell, who will celebrate the Mass, said.
The Sacred Heart Church in Cork will be decorated with church candles in lanterns and candle holders of various sizes, candelabras and tea-light candles.
To add to the prayerful ambience, ‘The Marian Singers’ will perform songs and hymns and the congregation will be encouraged to participate and join in.
Traditionally the dead are remembered in November with novenas and at Mass. Every day, during November, 10am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Western Road is celebrated for benefactors, their families and friends, and a special novena of Masses takes place each year from 2nd – 10th November.
Fr. Michael O’Connell, msc
However, this year, to conclude the month of the Holy Souls, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have introduced the Light Up a Memory Mass.
It will take place at 6.30pm on Saturday the 30 November in the Sacred Heart Church in Cork.
As a mark of appreciation for their support, the names supplied by MSC’s benefactors for the novena of Masses for the Holy Souls will be included at Saturday’s Mass.
All are welcome to attend and those wishing to celebrate the memory of a loved one can send in names before 12 Noon on Friday 29 November.
For full details see: www.mscireland.com
