The ashes of many of our parishioners and friends of the parish have been scattered and interred in the Memorial Garden since 1987. Their names are written on plaques affixed to the stone columns under the pergola in the garden.
All Hallow’s Eve dawned quite chilly, the first fall-ish day we have had. We bundled up and gathered on that chilly morning with candles and flowers and grateful hearts to remember and pray for our loved ones who have died, and to reflect on the meaning of death and eternal life.
We do death well at Saint Michael’s. We confront it head-on, participate in it, pray through it, and celebrate and mourn simultaneously.
Following a service of remembrance we enjoyed an extended period of storytelling, remembering the saints in our lives, those people who loved, influenced, mentored, and inspired us, and who contributed significantly to the deeply faithful formation of the Saint Michael’s community.
Our candles kindled the light of remembrance, a symbol of the soul and spirit of those who have died and of the eternal love of God. Our markers, the flowers, and small stones laid down in the garden said that someone remembers and that our love and memory are strong and enduring.
We spoke their names. We told their stories. We pledged to live their legacy.
In those stories, told with laughter through tears, we found the binding thread connecting us.
Because they were, we are.
by the Rev. Suzi Drury
835 SW Polk St.