There is lots of attention paid to Halloween. I was shocked to read that $9 billion is spent in the U.S. this year alone on costumes, decorations, candy and greeting cards. In the hectic preparation of this event, we often lose the reason behind the existence of Halloween - the two feasts of All Saints and All Souls.
Our last aunt, Aunt Jean died in January of this year. My siblings and I realize that we are no longer at the “kids table” and are the elders of the Champagne/Konicki Clan. At her funeral we all were telling stories of Jean dating our Uncle Champ and the first time she met all the future Konicki nephews and niece. She couldn’t believe that my Mom peeled 10 lbs of potatoes for Sunday dinner. “Who is going to eat all those potatoes?” Then the she saw the “Konicki Locusts” swarm the table and within minutes after grace all the prepared food was devoured.
The feasts All Saints and All Souls are so important to our spiritual lives. Recalling all those in our families who have gone before us reminds us to bring them into our prayer circle each day when we pray. The stories of “kids table”, Sunday meals and gatherings, going for a Sunday ride as a family to get ice cream, clam fritters, picking apples, Rocky Point Amusement Park and more are what this time of year is meant to be.
So now that the Halloween decorations are down and the candy parceled out, take the time to reflect on the Feasts behind the Halloween gatherings and rejoice in the people who have gone before us, who gave us life, helped us grow, shared their faith, even those who may have caused us grief, and rejoice in the gift of their shaping the person you are today!
Yes, lots of attention is paid toward Halloween, but don’t miss the opportunity that lies behind “All-hallows Eve!”
Fr. Bill