A sense of community and hope resonated throughout A Night of Remembrance & Peace, which was a unique event hosted by the Diocese of St. Augustine as part of the worldwide Jubilee of Consolation that took place on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The event focused on helping those dealing with bereavement and grief find the healing and hope they had been searching for in their lives.
“The grief we have here on Earth is something we all carry,” said Regina Quiñones, with Red Bird Ministries, a Catholic grief support ministry through the Office of Human Life & Dignity. “There’s no worse feeling than feeling alone. But, when you gather in community and see people going through the same thing, we can help each other discover the hope we need.”
Father Edward Rooney was the celebrant for the Mass that opened the event, where everyone who attended had the opportunity to honor their loved ones who passed away by writing their names on a remembrance poster and bringing up a small cross in memory of them during the presentation of the gifts.
It was a powerful moment and one that had great significance for those taking part.
“We all laid down our crosses,” she said. “In our faith, even though the person we loved is no longer here, we know that Jesus died and rose from the cross so that we can see them again in eternal life.”
According to Quiñones, there are many tools that are available that can help in the grieving process and the event sought to explore each of those.
“It starts with the sacraments and the Mass,” she said. “We are blessed to have a lot of parishes in our diocese that have bereavement or consolation ministries, and many were brought in for the event.”
Conversations were able to be had with the various ministries on hand, as well as spiritual directors and Catholic therapists following the Mass.
Photos by Fran Ruchalski
