Church
Remembering Our Children Service at St. Alphonsus
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The death of a child at any age is devastating. The darkness that sets in when a child has died is all too well known to families who have lost a child. St. Alphonsus Church will once again provide the opportunity for grieving families and their friends to come together on Sunday, December 9, at 7:00PM to celebrate the life, love and light of those children gone much too soon. This candle light service will symbolize that the light of these precious children will forever be held in our hearts.
Below is a letter from a parent describing the event and what it means to families who are facing the holidays with the loss of a child on their hearts:
Remembering Our Children
Gone but Not Forgotten
On Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 7:00 pm, we will unite once again with our hearts heavy with grief, but filled with love and honor. On this date, St. Alphonsus Church will host its 4th annual candlelight service, “Remembering Our Children”. It has become a moving holiday ritual, but one I pray you never to have to attend. The message of the night is heartbreakingly simple: Parents come together to honor their sons and daughters who have passed on. We encourage any bereaved parent who has not yet attended to attend this year.
For many families in our community, “Remembering Our Children” has become a tradition to grieve their lost child, and, for other families, this will be their first year in attendance. The night is filled with love for some, but heavy with grief for others. After some special readings, each parent is given the opportunity to walk up and light a candle and say their child’s name. All candles are united to form a spectacular glow in the dark sanctuary. Those lights symbolize the lives that our children lived: gone, but not forgotten. In the past few years, our community has lost too many young lives; with the continued efforts of our church bringing us together, we, the parents, have this special day to stand side by side sharing the same grief. We are blessed to be able to participate in a night as emotional as this.
This will be our 6th Christmas without our beloved son Kareem. These few months are spotlighted by a tragic event for us: the second week of December when Kareem died. Although we may gather with family for the holidays, we can’t help but think of the one who is missing. We trust that everything happens according to God’s plan with his purpose. As the years pass, our love is as strong for him as it was when he was with us. We take special time to remember him on his birthday and the anniversary of his death, and this night, too. This year the event will occur on the anniversary of his death and we are looking forward to sharing this day with others.
For my wife and I, the Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to serve other grieving families by being members on the planning committee. This event is near and dear to our hearts. Once again, we will go to the Lord’s house in fellowship to share our sorrow, but to also laugh and love in celebration of the memories left behind. Praise God, for he is close to those who are suffering; and, only by God’s grace and mercy, we are able to carry on without our children.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
– Psalm 23
If you have lost a child, before or after birth, through miscarriage, illness, accident or reasons known only to God and you, please join us for prayer, reflection and fellowship on Sunday December 9th at 7:00 pm. Contact St. Alphonsus church office for more details (225) 261-4650.
Henry Sabbagh
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