‘Blue Christmas’ remembrance Mass in Chillicothe to comfort grieving Dec. 21
Guest Column / Jack Desatnick
Christmas season is the birth of Jesus Christ, the gathering of family and friends, the giving of gifts, and the prayer of thanks for what we have.
When I was blessed to meet and marry my wife, Terri, we celebrated two Christmas dinners. On Christmas Eve we traveled to Whiting, Indiana, to be with my parents and my sister’s family for Midnight Mass and dinner. On Christmas day we journeyed to South Bend to be with Terri’s parents and her four brothers and sister and their families for dinner. Joy was everywhere.
For many, Christmas is a time to reflect on family and friends that are no longer at the dinner table.
As time went on, my parents and Terri’s parents and two of her brothers and a sister-in-law went to spend Christmas with Jesus. The joy of seeing our parents laugh and sharing happiness with their families at Christmas is replaced by only good memories.
The loss of our loved ones, especially at Christmas time, can be extremely difficult to cope with.
JESUS UNDERSTANDS, IS WITH US
For many, Christmas is a time to reflect on family and friends that are no longer at that dinner table. It can be a time of grief and a time that we do not feel like the joy of Christmas. Jesus understands and he is there to comfort you. He wants to be there for you and give you that comfort of a friend that understands.
There will be a “Blue Christmas” Remembrance Mass at St. Edward Church in Chillicothe on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. for everyone who has lost a loved one. It will be a time of healing and Jesus knows that one can be sad at this time of year. It is OK to feel this way and this Mass will be that comfort for you.
St. Edward Church is located at 1216 N. 6th Street in Chillicothe. Msgr. Mark Merdian will celebrate the Mass with the purpose of telling us that Jesus understands and that He is there for us. During the Mass there will be a candle lighting ceremony for those who want to light a candle for their loved one. You can light a candle or not. You can sit in church and just pray to our Savior. Hymns will be sung with the promise that Christ has given us that He is with us.
You are not alone as we all have suffered from a loss. Please join us.
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JACK DESATNICK is a member and former trustee of St. Edward Parish in Chillicothe. He is the former chief executive officer of Midwest Kidney Centers and chief financial officer of Jumer Hotels and Casinos.
