All Souls Day
November 02, 2009
In the Catholic Church, All Souls Day--celebrated on November 2nd each year--follows All Saints Day--celebrated on November 1st each year. All Souls Day reminds us to pray for all of the faithfully departed.
Among the "faithfully departed" to remember from this past year, my thoughts and prayers return to my father-in-law, Duane Lemm, who died this past March. His fifteen-year battle with cancer inspired all of us in the family. He met death with a quiet confidence, a deep faith in God and a peace that he would be reunited with a long line of family, friends and acquaintances. He trusted in God.
At my father-in-law's funeral, his pastor shared that he had asked Duane if there were any specific messages he would like preached at his funeral. Without pause, Duane had two messages he wanted shared with his family and friends. First, get the crops in. As a long-time farmer who lived his entire life in the Red River Valley of the North, Duane knew that regardless of what else may be going on in life or what the weather may be, it was critically important to get the crops in for your own survival and sustainability.
The second message he wanted his pastor to share at his funeral was equally direct: vote Republican. His pastor preached on why Duane belived his family and friends should vote Republican long after his death. As one of the few Democrats at his funeral--and the family did count the number of Democrats on one hand at his funeral--I understand my father-in-law's desire to encourage his family to continue to embrace their civic responsibility. The long list of my father-in-law's involvement with township, county and state boards, commissions and agencies was an example he left for his children and grandchildren.
I know my father-in-law is with God. He is one of the "faithfully departed" that I have remembered in prayer on this All Souls Day. I pray that he, and all of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, will rest in peace. JDH
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About Dr. Hardwick
Dr. Hardwick has been the Vice President for Student Life at Carroll since 2002. He brings to Carroll 20 years of experience working in higher education. Learn more about him!