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Bishop Burbidge celebrates All Souls Day Mass at Fairfax Memorial Park

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

A number of diocesan priests concelebrated Mass with Bishop Burbidge at Fairfax Memorial Park. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Catholic Herald staff writer Zoey Maraist reads the first reading during the Mass. NATALIE J. PLUMB | SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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More than 300 people attend Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge’s Mass for All Souls Day at Fairfax Memorial Park Nov. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge speaks with visitors before celebrating Mass for All Souls Day at Fairfax Memorial Park Nov. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blesses the graves of diocesan priests for All Souls Day at Fairfax Memorial Park Nov. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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More than 400 people gathered in the Garden of the
Crucifixion section of Fairfax Memorial Park as Arlington Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge celebrated Mass for All Souls Day. The Mass was concelebrated by
Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde and a number of diocesan priests.

“The month of All Souls, November, reminds us of our sacred
privilege and duty to pray for the faithful departed, as we do in a special way
this day, as we celebrate Mass on this sacred ground,” said Bishop Burbidge in
his homily. “We pray for, and remember with great affection, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh,
Bishop John R. Keating, the priests and deacons, consecrated religious and lay
faithful, who have lived and served in our diocese and gone before us marked
with the sign of faith.”

 

Bishop Burbidge said there is a multitude of emotions people
came with to the Mass — sadness and longing; a spirit of gratitude and
thanksgiving; and also an acceptance of a challenge.

“There is sadness and longing because we miss the physical
presence of those who were so dear to us,” he said. “That’s natural, because we
loved. It is only in love that we can entrust someone dear to us to the God
who’s love is without end. I remember my mom in her final moments of her life
turning to my brother and me and saying ‘Let me go to God.’ Only love will allow
you to say yes, matched with a deep faith that she taught us.”

He said people are thankful for God’s blessings in life and
death. The challenge is not only to pray for those who have died but to honor
them. “(We honor them) with the way we will continue to live our earthly lives,
until that day when we will be together again with them,” he said.

Many came to pay their respects to loved ones buried in the
cemetery.  

“Normally we come to pay our respects to Father Richard Martin
and Father John Hughes, and found out the Mass was happening so we decided to
make it a celebration,” said Jim Day, a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in
Burke.

 

Visiting the cemetery on All Souls Day is a tradition for Michael
and Maggie McMannus. “We are very happy with the opportunity of having Mass at
the cemetery,” said Michael.

Jamie Martin, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Herndon,
said attending the Mass was a special occasion. “My parents are buried here and
it gives us an opportunity to pay our respects. It’s an experience for us and
having (Bishop Burbidge) here is very special.”

Bishop Burbidge also blessed the graves of several diocesan
priests. The Mass was followed by a reception. 

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