By Sarah Mac Donald - 20 November, 2013
The Diocese of Derry is holding a Mass this weekend for the families and friends of young people from the diocese who have died.
Diocesan Administrator, Fr Francis Bradley, will lead the service which will commemorate all deceased young people at St Eugene’s Cathedral at 4pm on Sunday. It is the eighth year this Mass has been held.
Representatives of community, social and sports groups will gather with families and friends of the deceased to remember, pray, and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
Speaking ahead of the Mass, Fr Bradley said, “The death of a loved one is always a difficult experience, but this pain can be even greater when the deceased is only an infant, a child, or a young adult.”
He said the Mass will be an opportunity for families and friends to come together and to find strength in being together as a diocesan community.
“In the Gospel of St Matthew, Jesus invites us to ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest’ (Mt 11:28). In times of difficulty these can be difficult words to accept, and yet we are each invited to place our woes and difficulties at the foot of the Cross,” Fr Bradley said.
He said the Diocese of Derry was extending an invitation to all who are grieving the loss of a young friend or relative at this time to “cast your burden on the altar of the Lord.”
Music for the Mass will be provided by the Long Tower parish folk group.
