Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Church,
Nelson Lancashire

As St. Paul told the Romans 'the life and death of each one of us has its influence on others' and that is why Christ is Lord of the living and of the dead. It is good to remember those who have moulded us by their love and example. This is an important part of any funeral liturgy where the memories of a person are transformed into prayers in the house of God. And it is good that we continue to remember because by doing so we are proclaiming our belief in the resurrection.

The particular understanding that each one of us has as we stand in silence on Remembrance Sunday is different but we all recognise that people have had to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. And when we remember in those terms this inevitably leads us to the centre of our faith: Jesus Christ, God made man, Emmanuel, God with us, who suffered and died so that we might be free from sin and ultimately free from death itself through his resurrection.

And so memory is of the greatest importance and during this month of November there is no better place for us to remember than in the Mass. Here we recall in the deepest way possible the love that Christ has for each one of us and receive a foretaste of the banquet of heaven where we will be reunited with our loved ones. As we remember let the influence of those we love be lived out in the memory of the love that Christ has for each one of us. Then our memory will ensure true meaning and sense of purpose.

For all those we remember this month who have died. 'Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.'