We begin November by celebrating All Saints Day, November 1, honoring those who now enjoy the blessings of heaven for eternity.
On November 2, we remember the faithful departed who have gone before us and await God’s mercy to enter the fullness of the Kingdom. This year, November 2 falls on a Sunday. This memorial is always observed on November 2, so our Masses will be dedicated to the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. It is not a feast or a celebration, which is why we do not sing the “Glory to God” as we typically would on a Sunday. Instead, we sing about God’s mercy and ask Him to grant His promised rest to those who have died. I hope that the music for this memorial will bring comfort and hope.
On November 2, we welcome both the younger and the advanced youth choirs to St. Joseph Church. This wonderful choir is made of parishioners from both St. John Neumann and St. Joseph Churches. They sing at school Masses and throughout the year at our two Strongsville parishes.
On Monday, November 3rd, our Mass of Remembrance at 7 pm for all who have died from St. Joseph Catholic Church this year will have gorgeous sacred music sung by Amici Cantare, a local semi-professional Catholic Choir. It’s one of the most beautiful Masses of the year here at St. Joseph.
On Sunday, November 9th, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, a special day that honors the mother church of the world. This basilica is not just a building; it’s a symbol of the Church itself, the seat of the Bishop of Rome, and a living sign of our unity in Christ.
What does this feast truly celebrate? The entrance antiphon points us to the heart of the mystery: it speaks of “the holy City, the New Jerusalem” — a glimpse of Heaven. This powerful image comes from the book of Revelation and is echoed in the familiar hymn, The Church’s One Foundation, where we sing of the unity and holiness of God’s people, and of God’s unity with the entire human race.
The psalm and offertory chants remind us of the River of Life flowing from the Temple, which in Christ becomes the source of new life. As we approach Communion, we are reminded by the communion antiphon that we ourselves are the temple: “built up of living stones into a spiritual house,” united in Christ’s body.
The music for this feast helps us celebrate this great gift of new life in Christ and our shared identity as the Church. In our closing hymn, we once again raise our voices to sing of the New Jerusalem — Heaven itself, of which the Lateran Basilica is but a beautiful symbol.