by Mary Ann Zimmerman
Halloween was an ancient celebration held the night before All Hallows Day. Hallow means holy or to honor. This celebration has its roots from the Catholic Church. Our focus is on the celebration of All Hallows Day now referred to as All Saints Day on November 1st. This year, it is not a holy day of obligation. Today, our culture has added demonic costumes and decorations.
Our children can still participate in the trick-or-treating tradition but it’s not okay to focus on evil or demonic things. Jesus defeated evil and darkness. As Christians, let’s reclaim the holiday as we await the feast of All Saints.
When I was growing up, we would stay in our neighborhood where we knew our friends. I remember my mom having a party at our house after the trick-or-treating. We bobbed for apples, pin the tail on something, and she hung a rope across the kitchen and hung donuts on it filling some with coins. The kids went wild over the idea of winning money. Your hands were behind your back trying to sink your teeth into one. It didn't matter that you had chocolate all over your face because you got a quarter in the donut.
Be creative with your parties keeping the kids safe. Maybe have a costume contest for the best saint or other hero who exemplifies faith. Read about the saints such as St. Joseph, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and so many more. Carve small pumpkins, Pass-the- Word relay race using a cut-out of a Bible, musical chairs is still fun.
Our Immaculate Hearts Gift Shop stocks several saint books and prayer books. When we ask the saints to intercede for us, they carry our requests to our heavenly Father. Scripture tells us that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ name (and through the intercession of Mother Mary) our prayer will be answered. Sometimes the answer is not what we are expecting. Our heavenly Father knows best what we need. Click here.
Pray Hope and Don’t Worry – Padré Pio