Allow me a moment to ask how your week has gone for you.  Have you done anything this past week that required more reflection and mindfulness?

What about taking some time to pause and reflect on life?

As I conducted my internal review of the week, I spent three days celebrating Mass starting Wednesday, November 1, 2023, with “All Saint Day.” Then, on Thursday, I observed “All Soul’s Day. I cumulated Saturday morning with our Zone 4 2023 Knights of Peter Claver, Mass of Remembrance.

Each year, typically in November, the Knights of Peter Claver, honor the deceased as our way of remembering both the Ladies and Knights that are no longer present.  Last year, our council hosted the event in Huntsville, Alabama.  This year, the event was hosted in Montgomery, Alabama; next year, Birmingham has the honors.

I attended this year’s ceremony not out of obligation.  I was glad to make the trip.   Mainly because so much heritage is connected with the nation’s largest and oldest Black Catholic fraternal order.  Peter Claver – Wikipedia

I must tell you that the Mass was celebrated by Father Vernon F. Huguley, Pastor St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Hoover, AL, Gulf Coast District Chaplain who provided many quotes worth remembering.

One was, “You don’t have to be sick to die.”

Another was, “Look at what you had, instead of what you lost.”

The last one was, “You have to go through it to get to it.”

Each of Father Huguley’s quotes has a special meaning; for those who didn’t attend the event, it was one of those moments that you needed to be there to understand the message.

This week, I also prepared my mind, body, and spirit to continue my remembrance of my Father, a Soldier and Husband who passed away on Veteran’s Day 2020.

As I sat in the church pews last Saturday, I heard two great testimonies from one of the Ladies Auxiliary members and the other from a Brother Knight.  It was about her faith, the organization, and the support of others in the Knights’s of Peter Claver organization.

Sometimes, just as Father Huguley had said, “You have to go through it to get to it.” Each person goes through it with one of the deceased they remembered and honored this weekend.

My attendance at the memorial Mass was not new, and it was something ingrained in me to do out of respect. I’ve attended both as a Knight of Columbus and Knight of Peter Claver.  The event was worth the time on the road and what I learned.

Sometimes, the lessons we learn are unexpected.

Although this event only happens once a year, there is plenty of preparation for hosting this type of event.

As I looked around the church (Saint Jude Catholic Church), I witnessed how beautifully it was ordained with its stained-glass windows.  Not to mention, all the history being represented in detail on the walls and ceilings.

Even in the Liturgy of the Word, starting with Ecclesiastes 3:1-14, Psalm 23, Revelation 14:13, and John 14: 1-6, it made you think about why we are here.

Just as an unknown Author has said, “Although it’s difficult to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

Each of us has our special memories, especially this time of year, as we prepare to give thanks for what we have.

This reminds me of Father Huguley’s quote: “Look at what you had, instead of what you lost.”

As you prepare for the week, take a moment and reflect on the special memories in your heart.

Sometimes, we must slow down and take the time to look inside out and see the blessings right in front of us.  Who knows, maybe one of the three quotes within this blog can help you see things differently.