Mercy Mondays: Taking stock, giving thanks, remembering loved ones

As November begins, it is always a time to take stock, give thanks, and remember our loved ones. It is the time to reflect on the year we have been living, mourn the losses of the year, look forward with anticipation to the coming year, and wrap ourselves in the memory of all who have made us who we are and all who encourage us to be better.

November is a time to take stock

This is a time of year where we can ask important questions about the past, as well as looking into the future. Questions such as: Do we have enough set aside for the winter? How are we feeling about letting this year go (pretty good in 2020)? Who will we choose as our elected leaders for the coming years? Are all the gaps filled to keep out the winter cold? Is the car in shape for the impending winter weather? Is there enough daylight to go for that walk? For what do we stand?

November is a time to be grateful

The holiday of Thanksgiving at the end of November puts us in mind to give thanks. Gratitude is for every day, of course, but here in the Northeast it comes quite naturally in November. We give thanks for family, for friends, for health, for enough, for warmth and for the harvest.

As a Salve Regina community associated with Catherine McAuley, our own gratitude moves us to act for those who are in need. There are so many in need this year in so many ways. Maybe our gratitude strengthens a resolve in us to be generous, to take action for others, to pray more and to take nothing for granted.

November is a time of remembrance

In the Catholic tradition, we begin November with All Souls Days on Nov. 2 with celebrations that remind us to remember and honor all those who have gone before us. We recall all who have shaped us, loved us, helped us on our way or made the world a better place for us.

While you take stock and give thanks, you might find yourself drawn to the memory of family members or friends or maybe people you have never met who have none the less made our lives better by their own lives. You might think of special people who have passed away.

The Catholic doctrine of the Communion of the Saints means that those we have lost are not lost, but are with us still. We continue to draw on their example and love, as they are a connection to our past and an inspiration to our future.

Join an upcoming chapel service

Join us at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life if you feel drawn to take stock, give thanks and remember special loved ones in the presence of community this November.

• Monday, Nov. 2, at 5:30 p.m.: A special Taizé Prayer Service in memory of our loved ones for All Souls Day.
• Masses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m.
• Masses on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 23, at 7:00 p.m.: An Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service.

These services and mass times are all devoted to the memory of those who have passed this year. Throughout the entire month of November, you can place the name of a loved one in the Book of the Names of the Dead, which will be available in the entry of the chapel.

No matter what, take some time throughout the month to reflect on the year gone by, to connect to your sense of gratitude, to remember your loved ones who have passed away and to find inspiration to go forward.

Written by Amy Cady, assistant director of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life

This post is part of an ongoing series called Mercy Mondays that highlights Salve Regina’s dedication to its Mercy Mission. Search the tag Mercy Mission for more updates on the Mercy branches of Salve Regina.