Special Edition!

The Catholic Church celebrates All Saints' Day on Nov. 1st and All Souls' Day on Nov. 2nd.

All Saints' Day is a holy day of obligation celebrated every Nov. 1. It is dedicated to the recognized saints of the Church and all those who have made it into heaven. Anyone who makes it into heaven is a saint, even if the Church does not yet recognize their sanctification. All Saints' Day is celebrated by attending Mass and honoring the saints by visiting their holy shrines and offering prayers seeking their intercession. We honor the saints best by emulating their lives, by striving to become examples of holy, meritorious people, just as they were. Mass will be held at Holy Rosary at 7 pm on Thursday, Nov. 1st.

All Souls' Day is celebrated on Nov. 2 each year. All Soul's Day is dedicated to all those who are departed from this world and who wait in faith of the promised Resurrection. All Souls' Day is often celebrated by attending Mass, although it is not a holy day of obligation. Many people visit cemeteries or shrines dedicated to their loved ones and ancestors. On this day, we particularly ask for the repose of their souls and the intercession of the saints to usher them into heaven in accord with the promises of Christ. In other words, we pray for our loved ones to enter heaven. We will have our school mass, in honor of All Souls' Day, on Friday, Nov. 2nd at 9 am at Holy Rosary. We hope you can join us. This will be hosted by 2nd grade.

On these days we must recognize the truth that we too will someday join our ancestors. Those who come after us will pray for us. And we too will be raised from the dead in fulfillment of the promises of Christ. We anticipate with hope the day we will be saints ourselves in perfect communion with God.

https://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=71629

A History of Dia de los Muertos:

Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead disrespectful. For these pre-Hispanic cultures, death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit—and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth. Today’s Día de los Muertos celebration is a mash-up of pre-Hispanic religious rites and Christian feasts. It takes place on November 1 and 2—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar—around the time of the fall maize harvest.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/mexico/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico/

Altars are made to honor the dead and they are decorated with photos and favorite foods (and other favorite items) of the deceased. We have one such altar in our second floor hallway, complete with photos of Fr. Wagner, Mrs. Silva, and Mr. Darrell Jesse. Thank you to Ms. Lucia Flores for putting this together for us!

Ms. Jacqui Lemus also worked with the 7th and 8th graders to create an altar for Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy (honoring Mrs. Silva) that is being exhibited at the Tacoma Art Museum. Thank you to Ms. Jacqui and Ms. Lucia, as well as Mr. Gabe and Mrs. Farias for setting up the altar. Have you had a chance to check it out? They have a lot of exhibits surrounding this theme. They will be on display through Friday, Nov. 2nd. You can find out more info at: https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/dia-de-los-muertos-2018/

Here is a schedule of events for Thursday and Friday:

• Thursday, November 1 – Day of the Dead Neighborhood Night – RSVP on Facebook
  • Join us in TAM Studio for an artist-led art-making experience, inspired by Dia de los Muertos. Artist of all ages and experience levels welcome.
  • Find your inner artist and sketch in the galleries with an expert teaching artist.
  • Go upstairs to see TAM Local Community Art installations.
  • This event is FREE and open to the community.
• Sunday, November 4 – 14th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Free Community Festival – RSVP on Facebook
  • View 30+ gorgeous community altars
  • Performances by traditional Aztec dancers
  • Experience the art of sand tapete
  • Traditional food, art vendors, and more!
  • This event is FREE and open to the community.
  • Traditional Aztec dancers