On All Souls’

I’m thinking Easter (for a project due in the next few days). Which is actually appropriate.

I ran across this, from Benedict’s Easter Vigil homily of 2007, at found it so striking, I overcame my bloglethargy to share:

Love made Christ descend, and love is also the power by which he ascends. The power by which he brings us with him. In union with his love, borne aloft on the wings of love, as persons of love, let us descend with him into the world’s darkness, knowing that in this way we will also rise up with him. On this night, then, let us pray: Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await you. Bring them to the light! In my own dark nights, be with me to bring me forth! Help me, help all of us, to descend with you into the darkness of all those people who are still waiting for you, who out of the depths cry unto you! Help us to bring them your light! Help us to say the “yes” of love, the love that makes us descend with you and, in so doing, also to rise with you. Amen!

And if All Souls’ is on your mind and heart, as it should be, a couple of links:

Gashwin Gomes has a great, great roundup post, with YouTube offerings and much more. Check it out.

Mike Aqulina has useful historical perspective.

Finally a random link I ran across at Sr. Anne Flanagan’s blog (btw, Daughter of St. Paul Sr. Anne was featured in the SF Gate’s “Finding My Religion” column recently.  The link is for a charity dedicated to providing personal supplies to parents whose children have been hospitalized. They are experienced an urgent need now, and it’s very easy to help. His Hands Network:

When a child is admitted to the hospital under emergency conditions, the parents are usually unprepared for time away from home. In addition to feeling worried and frightened for their child, they are also unable to meet many of their own personal needs during the first day or two when things are so chaotic.
What we have found in our local children’s hospitals (and that may be the case elsewhere) is that they are overrun with donations of toys and goodies for the children, but there is little to no help for the parents who really are suffering too. Any of you with children know that there is nothing worse than watching your child suffer and being unable to fix it.

His Hands Network came into being to help meet the needs of these parents so that they can more easily focus on their child without other worries during a very stressful time. We put together care packages that contain personal hygiene items (shampoo/conditioner, soap, deodorant, body lotion, toothbrush/paste, mouthwash, hair brushes or combs, mini-pads), practical items (pen and paper) and just plain old comfort items (candy, gum, new t-shirt, slippers, fleece throw). We are also providing copies of the New Testament (thanks to Fr. Tom Fogarty, SSP) that can be given to those who request them. We hope that in meeting their physical needs, these families might experience a little of God’s love for them when they may be feeling very helpless and out of control.

If anyone would like to coordinate such a project in their own city, we would be happy to help get things started. If you aren’t able to start your own project but would still like to help, donations of care package fillers are always welcome!

And the present need:

We are grateful for the generosity of so many wonderful people that helped get our first batch of packages filled and delivered to the two children’s hospital’s  in our area – St. Louis Children’s and Cardinal Glennon. We hope to keep them well supplied with care packages for families in crisis, and it’s time to get rolling on the next batch! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please look at our supply list on the next page. Since winter is coming I’d really like to have plenty of those fleece throws for the next batch. *The hospitals have already used up the care packages delivered in September – please help us get them more! Children’s Hospital alone needs approximately 100 packs per month!

If you are in the St. Louis area and would like to offer direct help, get in touch with Dawn. Otherwise, she provides very easy ways to purchase items that are sent directly to the charity.