All Souls’ Day Mass 2015 Photo Gallery
Bishop Robert N. Lynch bows in reverence toward the altar at the beginning of Mass on All Souls’ Day, November 2, 2015.
It was perhaps one of the warmest November days of record at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, but that did not deter those who attended the 55th Annual Mass on All Souls’ Day. Nearly 300 of the faithful gathered beneath the shade of heritage oak trees and canvas canopies to praise God for the lives of deceased loved ones and pray for souls.
We were especially blessed that the celebrant, Bishop Robert N. Lynch, included a request for a breeze in his morning prayers. For indeed there were gentle winds at times as the bishop and five priests celebrated Mass at the outdoor altar.
Mass is celebrated at Calvary Catholic Cemetery twice each year at the outdoor altar on Memorial Day and All Souls’ Day. And a Month’s Mind Mass is celebrated on the last Thursday of every month in the Chapel of the Resurrection at 12:15 p.m.
Alessandra Flanagan holds a flowerpot of mums that Franciscan Sister Rose Behrnard, asked her to place on the grave of her longtime friend, Father Roch Coogan, OFM. Father Coogan, who passed away on August 1, 2013, was a retired Air Force Chaplain and also was a chaplain at St. Anthony Hospital.
The faithful join in the Opening Prayer at Mass on All Souls’ Day.
Jo Greene, Assistant Music Director at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, leads the Psalm Response at Mass on All Souls’ Day at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Carol Abate and Richard Phares listen to the reading of the Gospel during Mass on All Souls’ Day at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
While joining in the Prayer of the Faithful, Rose Stalikas holds a lone red rose she brought to place on the grave of her sister, Angela Stalikes, who passed away on July 27, 2015.
The faithful pray the Lord’s Prayer at Mass on All Souls’s Day.
Father Ralph Argentino, Director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, distributes the Eucharist.
Bishop Robert N. Lynch and clergy pause for prayer at the graves of the priests who are buried alongside of the altar at Calvary Catholic Cemetery after Mass on All Souls’ Day.
Aelred and Linda Lauth pause for prayer at the graves of some of the priests who are buried alongside of the outdoor altar at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Father John Colgan was a friend of the Lauths, who have been parishioners at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle for nearly 40 years.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Photographs: Copyright 2015 Ed Foster Jr.