May Day or the festival of Beltane celebrates the start of the bright half of the year. One of the four main festivals of Celtic spirituality. According to Caitlin Matthews, author of The Celtic Book of Days, it marks "the return to outdoor gatherings and and celebrations. . . . There are pleasure, plenty, and pastimes to be enjoyed. It is a time of love and adventure, inspired by the fledging birds which leave the nest at this time to find their own territory."
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First Saturday Mass will be celebrated at 11am this Saturday - May 4th in All Saints Chapel at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. Rev. Mike Quinn will celebrate - all are invited.
Annual fund raising event for "Josie's Place" a San Francisco Bay Area support group for children and teens who have lost a loved one - a most special support group. Saturday, April 27, 2013 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm First Unitarian Univeralist Society of SF, 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit www.josiesplace.org.
Beloved folk icon Richie Havens died this morning in his home from a sudden heart attack. He was 72. Havens first became part of musical history during his impromptu opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Best known for his distinctive intense, rhythmic guitar style and soulful covers of pop and folk songs, Havens toured and recorded music for over 40 years before retiring from the road 3 years ago. Beyond his music, those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and...
How can you care for the earth when you die? This takes a lot of thought these days – there are many shades of green. Why not use Earth Day to begin to think about this issue – how to be green when we die. Each person’s idea of what they feel is natural or sustainable is unique.
We are dying naturally at home with the help of hospice using less health care resources It’s common sense that if we die naturally why not care for ourselves naturally when death occurs. You can do this...
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Fred Rogers Many thanks to the "helpers" in Boston.
Annette Funicello, Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer, passed away today at age 70. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. We will miss you Annette.
There are four elements associated with the star signs: fire, earth, air and water. We have paired each element with a ritual, ceremony or option for a different kind of goodbye based on the Star Signs. Thinking like this gives you options that may be more in keeping with the person's character and nature or even reflect their own wishes. It's about a celebration of their life, honoring them and sending them off with love.
Fire: Aries, Leo Sagittarius
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Ching Ming is a Chinese festival to remember the dead, by visiting and cleaning grave sites of the deceased. Often, people will bring food and drink as offering to the ancestors. Paper money is often burned at the grave. Ching Ming 2013 falls on Thursday, April 4th; however, the tomb visiting is often done before that and usually starts on the Spring Equinox. While Ching Ming is celebrating death, it is a festive occasion. Extended families often plan the grave visit together becomng a...
