In November we remember

During this month of honoring the souls of the faithful departed – and into December and the new year – Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Omaha will offer several opportunities to remember and pray for souls.

Saturday, Nov. 4 – All Souls Day inurnment ceremony, 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery, 5226 S. 46th St. in Omaha.

The archdiocese will place to rest the cremated remains of about 100 people at this committal rite.

The service is offered for free and helps families who otherwise couldn’t afford a committal of their loved one’s remains, those who have been improperly storing remains at home or elsewhere, and those whose remains have been left at a mortuary.

Benedictine Father Daniel Lenz of Mount Michael Abbey in Elkhorn will lead the service, assisted by Deacon Jim Tardy, outreach manager for Catholic Cemeteries. Members of the St. Cecilia Cathedral choir will sing at the annual committal rite, which is open to the public.

Saturdays, Nov. 11 – Dec. 16 – The Way workshop for those grieving the loss of a loved one will be offered 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Catholic Cemeteries office, 7710 West Center Road in Omaha, in Calvary Cemetery.

The program, led by Deacon Tardy, takes participants through the Stations of the Cross and to the Resurrection in their journey of grief.

Wednesdays, Nov. 29 – Dec. 20 – Advent prayer service, 6-7 p.m. at Holy Angels Mausoleum in Resurrection Cemetery, 7800 West Center Road.

The annual prayer service is open to everyone but is geared especially for people entering the holiday season without their loved ones for the first time. Deacon Tardy will lead the service, which incorporates the “O Antiphons,” Psalms, other Scripture passages, and music.

Participants can write down their petitions and hang them on a tree. During a January Mass the petitions are gathered and blessed before being buried on the cemetery grounds.