Greetings fellow pilgrims,
Baptism: Last week, I announced that Bob Coughlan and their daughter Angela were getting baptised on 30th October. It was a joyful occasion. I am excited to let you know that we have the joy this Sunday of welcoming Jonathan Perratt into the life of Christ through baptism. The baptism liturgy takes place within our usual Eucharistic worship (after reading the Gospel). Please pray for Jonathan as he prepares to publicly confess his faith in Jesus Christ and to receive the sacrament, and please come to the service on Sunday if you can, to bear witness and pray with him on this special occasion. Jonathan will take part in the confirmation service (done by Bishop Ross) together with Bob and Angela at Holy Trinity Cathedral on Sunday 7th December.
All Saints/All Souls: This weekend are the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. Together with the vigil for All Saints, popularly known as Hallowe’en, they make up a small season that some call “All Hallows-tide”. You may notice that Christmas trees are up in the malls and Christmas decorations are in the shops already. But those of us who observe the Christian calendar are instead focusing on important matters of what it means to live and die well, and praying for the ones we love but see no longer.
As is our custom, we are going to merge the observance of All Saints and All Souls together this Sunday, in a service that includes celebrating the saints of God, reflecting on what it means to be one of the saints ourselves, and commemorating those who have died. There will be a part of the service where you can light a candle for your loved ones who have died. I look forward to celebrating this special day with you all.
Yukiko
