All Saints Church Leads Scores of the Faithful in a “Day of Saints”

 

 

Pastors Zelda Kennedy and Antonio Gallardo led scores of the faithful Wednesday evening at All Saints Church, in its annual “Day of Saints and Faithful Departed” ceremony.

“What is life?,” Gallardo questioned the congregation, as he pointed out and explained how various cultures consider the notions of life and death.

The Egyptians, for example, packed final resting places with items that friends and family of the departed though the idea might need either on their continuing journey, or in the afterlife, said Gallardo, in the bi-lingual presentation.

Other cultures considered the idea of a heaven, as the place we all go, while still others considered the living spirits of those who have gone, as being all around us constantly, he said.

Gallardo then shared the story of a friend whose daughter had passed away in her 20s eleven years ago. Each year her mother gathered together her friends and family for a celebration of her life and story.

“Each year,” said Gallardo, “That celebration grows. Now, young people who never knew her are at the celebration, along with the children of her friends. This is how we remember each other, by telling each other’s stories and celebrating their lives.”

With that, members of the congregation called out the names of those they had lost, as all in the church shouted “Presenté!,” in response. It took a few minutes, but as it ended, those who needed it, had a little cry, and all shook hands with strangers, and wished them peace.

And so we remember.