La pregunta siempre es extraña para estos padres, no importa cuán común sea.

Faith, hope, love and grief have marked Rex and Rachel Yabut’s life together

For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, the holiday season can be difficult. Grieving a baby lost before birth may make it hard to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. All those images of Mother and Child! Maintaining a mask of holiday cheer can be draining.

Estos días de noviembre, al mirar por la ventana y andar por las calles mirando las hojas caer teniendo por fondo un cielo húmedo y gris, la Iglesia nos recuerda que los cristianos estamos llenos de esperanza. ¿Por qué, cuando parece ser una temporada sombría, estamos llenos de esperanza? Porque nunca estamos solos.

This November, as we remember our departed in a particular way, it is a good time to remember also that the church offers comfort for the men and women left behind when a beloved spouse dies. Widows and widowers have a life full of dignity, purpose and mission. As Vatican II declared, “Widowhood, accepted bravely as a continuation of the marriage vocation, should be esteemed by all.”

While we pray for the dead, we can also lend support to grieving friends and family with a remembrance basket

In these November days, as we look out our windows and walk the streets watching leaves fall against the backdrop of a wet, gray sky, the Church reminds us that we Christians are full of hope. Why, during what might seem a season of gloom, are we full of hope? Because we are never alone.

PORT TOWNSEND – The newly dedicated Garden of Hope at St. Mary Star of the Sea Cemetery is a sacred space where people can remember babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion.