ST. GEORGE — The month of November in the Catholic Church is a time to remember the saints, those men and women who recognizably offered themselves in loving service to God and their neighbors.
Not only did these Catholic men and women of varying ages offer themselves in service, many of them sacrificed their lives because of their strong religious beliefs and convictions.
Nov. 1 is identified as All Saints Day and regarded as a Holy Day of Obligation, a principal feast day in addition to Sundays, wherein Catholics are obliged to attend church and participate in the Eucharist.
Members of the Catholic community view saints as role models. Many of these saints whose lives are remembered and celebrated within the Catholic Church are probably unknown to many non-Catholics. However, two of the church’s modern-day saints, recently canonized, are more recognizable.
Saint John Paul II, who served those of the Catholic faith as Pope from 1978 to 2005, was canonized in 2014. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who lived among and served the poorest of the poor as Mother Teresa, was canonized on Sept. 4, 2016. Both had significant impacts on the lives of others.
On Nov. 1, the confirmation class students of Saint George Catholic Church will dress as saints and bring these people to life by telling their stories to the younger religious education students. The younger students will then be given an opportunity to take part in craft activities that will identify patron saints such as Saint Joseph, patron saint of carpenters; Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost items; and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, patron saint of bakers.
Following this activity, all the students will gather at the church to process in with the priest for the evening Mass.
The following day, Nov. 2, is identified as All Souls Day in the Catholic Church. Although it is not designated a Holy Day of Obligation, it is a day to remember all those who have died and to pray for the happy repose of their souls. The entire month of November is a time the church family recalls and remembers loved ones, family and friends who have passed away.
Catholic services associated with the Saint George Catholic Church
- St. George Catholic Center; 259 W. 200 North, St George.
- St. Paul’s, Hurricane; 171 Main Street, Hurricane.
- Zion Lodge, 1 Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Springdale (Sunday celebration in the absence of a priest, usually facilitated by a deacon; no services from Nov. 1 until Palm Sunday)
- San Pablo Mission Beryl; 702 N .Highway 18, Beryl Junction.
- Regular mass schedule for all four locations online.
Submitted by Carole J. Drake, Saint George Catholic Church.
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