Another terrific e-mail blast from Father Leo!!
Sweet Anniversary!
This past summer, I was surprised to hear how the backyard apple tree produced very sweet apples this year. In the past, the apples were very small, quite sour, and left a bitter aftertaste. This year, however, it was a different story. The emergence of edible apples brought my family sweet memories of the man who planted that apple tree almost 25 years ago – my grandfather, affectionately known as papa, who died one year ago tomorrow.
In the Filipino tradition (and perhaps superstition) , the one-year anniversary commemorating someone’s death brings survivors special graces and sometimes fascinating stories. My mother swears she’s seen my grandfather in dreams; my aunts have felt his presence in their home where he lived in his waning years; my grandmother still talks to him in prayers. She is a holy woman. I believe her!
In other words, in the year of mourning, there are sometimes signs that the deceased are somehow still in a relationship with us. There is nothing official that says souls cannot communicate with us on earth, but the Catholic Church does caution people to not make more of this experience than necessary. Nevertheless, these un explainable experiences can help people see that we are called to live forever, and that our souls are eternal.
I don’t want to go too deep into these ”mystical” experiences that some may have after someone dies. But again, it’s safe to say that our souls – which are eternal – have a way of "communicating" with those who still remain on this earth. If we, as Catholics, Christians, or general believers in God d on’t accept the eternity of the soul, then we can throw out the devotion of intercession of the saints as well as the need to pray for the dead. So, while I don’t doubt my relatives’ experience of papa, I also think there are other significant lessons to learn from these fascinating experiences that commemorate the one year anniversary of his death.
For me, the one-year anniversary provides an opportunity for the family to pray together for the repose of the soul of the loved one. It also gives the family a chance to share happy memories of this great man. And at the same time, we have a chance to share our sadness and tears with the encouragement of each other. In other words, while we still grieve, we don’t grieve alone. These are concrete signs that papa’s death shows that his life is still significant and meaningful – even if he’s not physically with us. When family and friends come together to remember the beloved dead, we do these souls a great service by honoring their lives in prayer. We show to God that these souls are stillworth loving and praying for! With Halloween and All Souls Day coming in just a few weeks, perhaps now we can start to consider a prayer list of family and friends who have died, and for whom we should remember in prayer.
Regardless of the fantastic things family members may claim about experiences with papa, I have to admit it’s a bit uncanny that in the year my grandfather died, the apple tree he planted finally produced edible fruit. And not just edible fruit, but very sweet fruit for a man who still brings sweet memories!
Call me corny, but it’s almost grandpa’s way of reminding us he enjoyed nature; he enjoyed being generous with his service; and above all, as a great cook, he enjoyed feeding his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – like my youngest nephew!
Papa, we will miss you. But, more importantly, we will never forget you, especially in our prayers.
Apple Delight
I realize apple-picking season is upon us. And in the crisp fall air, when cider and pies become staples, I thought I would offer a few recipes we’ll prepare with grandpa’s apples. However, since I’m not a baker, I had to defer to seminarian, John Hamm’s recipe he received from his stepmother Katy. Hopefully the crisp and sweet taste of apples will also bring you and your family some sweet memories of special people in your life, just like my grandpa!
Click here for the recipe.
"By God's special timing, I want to thank the Oyler Eden Valley Farm for delivering 4 boxes of apples for our seminarians! I gotta wonder if the "Eden" part of the family farm has anything to do with the Garden of Eden and the "forbidden fruit?" I seriously doubt it, especially since this is such a devout and faithful family.
Here's a picture of Fr. Brannen (Vice Rector of the seminary) and Mom and Daughter of the Oyler Eden Valley Farm in Biglerville, PA.
Death and Wedding Anniversary!
Tomorrow not only marks the anniversary of my grandpa’s death , it also marks my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding anniversary. Last year, it was a sad for them to have to share their wedding anniversary , such a happy day, with such a n unpleasant event, but it was a hopeful day as well. It gave the couple the chance to reflect on how long grandpa and grandma were happily married – more than 75 years! Today, I invite you to say a prayer with me to help us remember the tender gift of life in your marriage and in your family.
Father in Heaven, help us to never let a day go by without reflecting on the gift of life! May we treat each other with the love you have for us, and help us to never take for granted the people in our lives – our spouses, children, in-laws, and friends – who not only show us Your love, but are also in our lives so that we can love. Bless those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, and help us to always keep them in our heartfelt prayers. Bless my sister and brother- in- law, and keep all married couples close to you, so like grandma and grandpa, they can celebrate a long life of faithful marriage. Amen!
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