ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Soldiers and civilians gathered at the Arsenal Club for a Roman Catholic Mass celebrating All Saints Day here, Nov. 1.
In Catholicism, All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation serving as a celebration, or feast, of all the known and unknown saints. Saints are those individuals who have been recognized as ascending to heaven.
The Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Richard Adam, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa.
Adam recited Mark 5: 3 -- 10, or, the eight beatitudes of Christ, which Catholicism views to be the attitudes one should live by in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
"Who is your saint, and why?" Adam asked.
Adam explained: "We pray through saints when we talk to the Lord. These models and examples are always with us.
"Whatever and wherever you are in life, know that God puts us there for a good reason," Adam said. "We should strive to do our very best at all times, and keep our beatitudes close to heart.
"Be glad and rejoice that your reward in heaven will be great," Adam said.
Adam concluded Mass with the Lord's Prayer, followed by communion.
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