September 18, 2016 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

CATHOLIC CHURCH

203 EAST MAIN ST., PO BOX 730, TEUTOPOLIS, IL 62467

Parish Office

203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL 62467-0730 Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. – 9:00 am-4:30 pm Phone (217) 857-6404 Fax 217) 857-1031 Parish E-mail: stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Diocesan website: www.dio.org Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number (217) 321-1155

Parish Pastoral Team Fr. Joe Carlos, OFM, Pastor Fr. Ken Rosswog, OFM, Associate Pastor Fr. Thinh Tran, OFM, Associate Pastor Kim Deters, Director of Music Ministry Anita Broom, Bookkeeper Bernice Matteson, Part-time Secretary Jane Miller, Part-time Secretary Ron Ruholl, Maintenance

Religious Education: Sr. A. Pierre Wilken, OSF, Director of Faith Formation: 857-6404 Sr. Ann Siemer, SSND, Gr. Sch./Jr. Hi. DRE: 857-6477/3015 Lisa Siemer, Youth Director & Sr. High CRE: 857-1500 Carlene Rauch, Part-time Rel. Ed. Secretary: 857-6477

Parish Council Dan Beckman Rich Niebrugge Sandy Gillespie Tony Pals Lois Meinhart Sharon Waldhoff Steve Kroeger Cory Wermert Karen Runde

St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 2

From the Pastor TODAY IS CATECHETICAL SUNDAY. WE CON-GRATULATE ALL WHO ARE HELPING IN THE RE-LIGIOUS EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN. ALL ARE EVANGELIZERS—PARENTS, CATECHISTS AT ALL LEVELS, MASS WALKERS, VIDEO PRE-SENTERS, OFFICE HELPERS, BUILDING SUPERVI-SORS. GOD BLESS YOU, AND THE PARISH THANKS YOU. If you fill any of these roles, please come up after the homily at any of the Masses to be rec-ognized and to receive a special blessing. Textbooks of the children in grades 1 through 6 will be on display for browsing after all the Masses in St. Clare Hall.

ASISSI FOR AFRICA: After limited internet ser-vice during the summer, Father Damien finally is able to write: “Our possibilities are limited because we have ac-cepted 42 children, so we were not able to brighten up our vacation with many activities nor work. The smaller chil-dren had it better than the older ones. For more than one month, they went to the parish for what is called a “colony” that is animated by games, music, sport and at noon corn meal mush and fish! The older boys sought work wherever they could in order to have some pocket money … some members of the new government … are putting pressure on us, at our own expense. One good thing, they reminded us of … the physical examination of the children. So we went to the hospital with all 40 of them. It cost us $400 and … made some discoveries that oblige us to deal with some very specific cases. Thanks to the Salvatorian sisters whose clinic examined the children, we can pay the money when we find it.

Our team … badly planned their budget so at the end of the month there was no more food for the children. The last four days have been fasting days and I myself am running around town trying to borrow some food that we can pay for at a later date. Not many people like to help for we are going through a terrible financial crisis … One reason that the team blew it is that they gave priority to preparing the children for school that begins during the first week of Sep-tember. So far this return to school has cost us more than $1200.00 for some 40 children … Blessings on you all and thank you, Father Damien Isabell, OFM”

Please offer prayers and continue your financial support for these pressing needs of the children, using the yellow enve-lopes in envelope sets or envelopes at church entrances. Look for short bios on some of the children in upcoming bulletins!

This weekend we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. We honor and ask God to bless all of our religious education teachers or catechists and all the people who help them. We also include the many people contributing their time and energy with the PSR program. May God bless you and your fami-lies. All the priests serving in the diocese are expected to attend the Fall Clergy Convocation this week: 19 to 22 Sept. For the first time it is being held in Quincy, IL. If you are curi-ous why it’s the first time for Quincy, get your map out and locate Quincy! If you dropped a plumb line down from Quincy, you would be west of St. Louis! Fr. Ken is staying home. There will be the regular schedule of Masses except on Wednesday: only the 6:30 Mass on Wednesday morn-ing. Next Sunday afternoon, 25 Sept, at 2 o’clock our diocese is hosting a special Mass in the cathedral for all couples mar-ried 50 years or more. We congratulate all the couples in our parish who have been living the sacrament of matrimo-ny for 5 decades! Thank you for your example. That is the same day as our Band Breakfast right here in the grade school hall. Please plan on attending this breakfast and supporting our local band. It is time again to begin our Annual Catholic Services Ap-peal (ACSA) campaign. As you know, this is the diocesan method of raising funds to do its work. If you need to be convinced of the need for your financial help, just look at only one of the beneficiaries of ACSA: our seminarians. We need priests, good ones. It takes years of study and preparation for a man to discern and be ready to be or-dained. It also takes a good deal of money. At the theologi-an level (the last 4 years), the diocese assumes the expenses for the seminarians. If you contributed enough to cover just one seminarian, it would be thousands of dollars! Please contribute hundreds instead of thousands! We can reach our goal; we should surpass it. Our second collection to help Louisiana flood victims was: $2,854.51. A couple people told me they are putting funds in the collection this weekend, and they will mark on the envelope: Louisiana. If you have an email address, please make sure we have it at the parish office. I would like to be able to send messag-es on a regular basis about events in the lives of our people.

Protecting God’s Children sessions will be held at St. Francis at 6:30 in St. Clare Hall this Tuesday, Septem-ber 20, 2016. Everyone in ministry at St. Francis is re-quired to attend a training session. If you have not already done so—now is your opportunity. Register by calling 857-6404 tomorrow.

RCIA meets this Monday, Sept. 19, at 7:00 with the top-ic: Sacraments: an overview. If interested or someone you know is interested in the Catholic Church and its teachings please call S. Pierrre, 857-6404 for more information.

God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene, Cody Bushue, Leighton Blankenship

Liturgy Schedule 25th Week in Ordinary Time

September 19 - 25

Monday, St. Januarius Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm

Tuesday, SS Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Paul Chong Ha-sang and Companions

Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am

Wednesday, St. Matthew Mass at 6:30 am NO 7:55 am Mass

Thursday, Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm

Friday, St. Pius of Pietrelcina Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am

Saturday, Mass at 8:00 am & 4:30 pm

Sunday, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am

Confession Schedule

Saturday, September 24 - 3:00-4:00 pm

Liturgy of the Hours with Friars

Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm

Stewardship of Treasure

Sunday Total Fiscal 9/11/2016 Year 278 Adult envelopes $7,090.00 $89,274.00 Other $576.55 $8,274.87 TOTAL $7,666.55 $97,548.87 Assisi for Africa $490.00 $6,466.00 Louisiana Relief $2,854.51

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Pray for the Sick

Monday September 19

CCW mtg., 7:00 pm, St. Clare RCIA, 7:00 pm, Catholic Charities DeColores, 7:00 pm, Museum Meeting Room CHWC mtg., 7:30 pm, Museum Dining Room Tuesday, September 20

55+ to Moonshine/Casey, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm Protecting God’s Children, 6:30 pm, St. Clare Wednesday, September 21

Jr. High & H.S. Religion, 7:20 pm Jr. Hi. Parent mtg. Rosary, 8:00 pm, Chapel Thursday, September 22

Adult Choir, 7:00-8:30 pm Saturday, September 24

Confessions, 3:00-4:00 pm Blessing at Mass of couples married 50 plus years Sunday, September 15

Blessing at all Masses of couples married 50 plus years

Band Booster Breakfast, Gr. Sch. Aud., 7:00 am

Parish Calendar

Mass Intentions

Please remember in your prayers: Cheryl Ann Huber, Jack Hardiek, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Anne Nelson, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine Deters, Dolores Kingery, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Craig Lindvahl, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner, Paula Spencer, Sr. Jane Marie Hotze, SSND, Martha Wente, Ray Willenborg, Roger and Betty Borries, Jody Furlano, Mark Roedl, Carolyn Poe, JoAnn Deters, Elizabeth Waldhoff, Maggie Overbeck, Linus Willenborg, Dorothy Gardewine

Sing Along St. Francis Singers and Friends will be singing at Lakeland Nursing Center on Thursday, Septem-ber 22nd, at 10:00 am.

Planning Marriage Jerrod Estes and Bailey Spalding

Saturday, September 24, 2016 1:00 pm

Monday, September 19, 6:30: Louis Buenker death anniv. Monday, September 19, 12:10: Kay Knaus Tuesday, September 20, 6:30: Betty Koeberlein Schottman Wednesday, September 21, 6:30: Joseph Buscher Thursday, September 22, 6:30: Betty Koeberlein Schottman Thursday, September 22, 12:10: Leonard Wernsing Friday, September 23, 6:30: Richard Thoele Saturday, September 24, 8:00: Betty Koeberlein Schottman Saturday, September 24, 4:30: Bernard Deters Sunday, September 25, 6:30: Pro Populo Sunday, September 25, 8:30: Wilma Holkenbrink

Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, September 25th are Theresa Funneman 821-4867 and Mary Jane Koester 857-3697.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 4

Religious Education News

GRADE SCHOOL—Parents, children in all classes have received information regarding persons—Grandparents and others—being asked to sign up to be Prayer Sponsors for individual classes. The children pray for these prayer sponsors and their families, and in turn the Prayer Sponsors pray for blessing on the children. Please check with family members, friends, neighbors, parishioners to see who would like to be a Prayer Sponsor for a particular class this year. We would like all forms to be returned by Monday, October 3. There has always been a good response in the past; hopefully, we can repeat the response again this year. As Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta says… “Prayer makes your heart bigger, until it is capable of encompassing the gift of God Himself.” All classes received short notes advertising the activities celebrating St. Francis weekend—to bring home and place on the refrigerator so that none of the activities that families can take part in will be missed. On Saturday, October 1, a family gathering of food and activities in the mini park following 4:30 Mass will take place. On Sun-day, October 2, there will be blessing of animals on the school grounds in front of Mary’s grotto at 1:00. On Monday, October 3, the Transitus service recalling St. Francis’ life, death and entrance into heaven will take place in church at 7:30 followed by refreshments in the Franciscan friary. Tuesday, October 4, St. Francis feast day, the Masses will have special readings remembering the life and spirit of St. Francis. Choose one or all activi-ties for you and your children! Happy Patronal Feast coming up in the days ahead! St. Francis of Assisi, bless all of us here at St. Francis Parish and intercede for our planet and our world that God may bless all with peace and joy! GRADE 6 children will be informed about the Search Program on Tuesday morning this week, when Mrs. Elaine Vonderheide visits the classrooms. Also, they will be invited to participate in this worthwhile program, as well as be invited to sign up to help with the Sunday Morning Pre-K religion program. Forms should be re-turned as soon as possible. Thanks to parents for encour-aging their children to be of service to others who need their help! PRE-K Sunday morning classes during the l0:30 Mass will be in session in the Museum Dining Room beginning on Sunday, October 16. Registration forms can be found at all the entrances to the Church beginning this weekend and online at stfrancischurch.com. JUNIOR HIGH CLASSES and PARENT MEETING will take place this Wednesday evening at the Junior High building from 7:20 to 8:30 pm. Parents should go directly to their students’ homeroom, or the room listing their name, for the first 15 minutes and then to the cafeteria to receive information regarding the classes this year.

Year of Mercy: Not enough. A personal relation-ship with God is important but it is not enough. Not if we listen well to the spoken Word of God. From Amos and the people of the Old Testament, we learn this: do not be greedy, do not cheat, do not beat down the poor. From Luke, we learn this: own your possessions and use them for good. Do not let them own you. Do not—because we are mere stewards of what belongs to another. It really all be-longs to God the Creator of all. If I look at all I have, what can I give away? How will I serve God by serving others? This week I will _______________.

Laudato Si: “The Earth Charter asked us to leave be-hind a period of self-destruction and make a new start, but we have not as yet developed a universal awareness needed to achieve this. Here, I would echo that courageous chal-lenge: ‘As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning….Let ours be a time remem-bered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.” (LS 207)

High School Religious Ed Classes start for ALL grades this Wednesday! Freshmen through seniors, please meet in the gym for our opening prayer and to find out your classroom assignments! Classes start at 7:20 pm and are finished at 8:30 pm. It’s going to be an awesome year of sharing faith!

Youth Activities Calling all junior high and high school students: The Youth Council Kick-Off Picnic is THIS WEEKEND!!! Come join us Sunday from 5-7 pm! We’ll play intense games, have pizza and do some dream-ing for what we’d like to see happen this year in youth min-istry! Don’t miss out! We have NEW faces joining our youth ministry team! Wel-come to Chelsey Hutmacher and Jenna Ruholl who will be helping plan events and mentoring students! They each bring lots of laughter and high energy with them! It’s going to be a fantastic year!

CHWC – let the planning begin! We will be starting our CHWC Crew for 2017 with a kick-off meeting on Septem-ber 19 at 7:30 pm. We will unveil where we are going and give out forms for registrations! Registrations will be due by October 3. There are several sports games being played that day. If a student can’t make it, please send a parent or call the high school religious ed office at 857-1500 for in-formation and forms. Servant hearts are happy hearts!

September 18, 2016 ♦ 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time page 5

Grade School Catechists Rita Habing Connie Ritz Kathy Willenborg Debbie Niebrugge Pauline Mette Cindy Hardiek Mary Lou Gier Donna Spannagel Cindy Konkel Sue Brummer Sue Palmer Linda Hemmen Sue Esker Bernice Matteson Carrie Vahling Jean Willenborg Cathy Brummer Dolores Kroeger Anita Deters Lisa Uthell Cindy Buenker Louise Sheehan Stephanie Niemerg Karen Pruemer Jean Habing Barb Runde Dan Niemerg Angie Esker Tina Schwinke Diane Siemer Zita Niebrugge Cindy Vahling Fr. Ken Rosswog Fr. Thinh Tran Fr. Joe Carlos Joe Zerrusen (sub) Mary Fuesting (sub) Penny Beckman (sub) Maureen Habing (sub) Deb Magee (sub) Marge Wiessing (sub) Joan Cahill (sub) Tracy Dennis (sub) Cari Buehnerkemper (sub) Laura Deters (sub) Sr. Ann Siemer (sub)

Prayer Service Leaders Barb Runde Lisa Siemer Sr. Ann Siemer Fr. Joe Carlos Anita Deters

Microphone Helper Carlene Rauch

Musician/cantor Pam Esker Jeanine Blankenship

Wed. Children Lectors Lenora Drees Carol Heuerman

Junior High Catechists Lisa Starwalt Maria Kingery Carrie Copple Ted Rhodes Chris Probst Denise Weichman Monica Kremer Lori Mette Paul Rhodes Jill Schumacher (sub) Debbie Niebrugge (sub) Lynn Huber (sub) Tracy Dennis (sub) Kathy Willenborg (helper) Carlene Rauch (helper) Dan Blankenship (helper)

High School Catechists Sr. Pierre Wilken Sarah Hewing Monica Feldhake Molly Higgs Rich Niebrugge Cari Buehnerkemper Karen Pruemer Amy Ruholl Theresa Bushur Kate Pruemer Jacob Pruemer Heather Pruemer Amy Hewing Lisa Siemer Fr. Joe Carlos Vince Heuerman

Kdgn & Pre-School Catechists To be announced

Baptismal Catechists Jeff & Cindy Hardiek

RCIA Catechists Sr. Pierre Wilken Sr. Carol Beckermann Jerry Goeckner Lenora Drees Jean Habing Dolores Kroeger Linda Willenborg

SEARCH Catechists Stacey Meyer Elaine Vonderheide Bev Hemmen Phil Fearday Deb Einhorn Nancy Pals Jody Probst Pam Bloemer Lori Mette Lee Althoff Judy Martin

Mass Supervisors JoEllen Zerrusen Sue Schultheis Pauline Mette Mary Ellen Kremer Regina Figueroa Christy Repking Lenora Drees Deb Magee Janet Zerrusen Pauline Hoedebecke Mary Mette JoAnn Deters Myrna Haskenherm Norma Deters Ken Will Clare Swingler Alberta Willenborg Ruth Drees Tess Probst Rosie Kremer Jeannette Westendorf Bernice Broom Barb Runde Regina Walker Alice Niebrugge Mary Ann Zerrusen Doris Deters Sherri Sandschafer Laura Koester Maureen Habing (sub) Ann Weis (sub)

Video Programs Connie Ritz Becky Rhodes Lenora Drees Kathy Wellbaum Jessie Kirby Regina Figueroa Mabel Harris Elaine Dust Christy Repking Sharon Schumacher Christina Probst

Children’s Eucharistic Ministers Norma Hawickhorst Carol Heuerman Kate Schmidt Janet Buenker

Office Helpers Connie Wessel Norma Hawickhorst Ann Weis Mabel Harris Leola Zerrusen Pam Bloemer Carlene Rauch

Protecting God’s Children Sr. Pierre Wilken Barb Runde Ginny Cooper Tracey Dennis

Children’s Liturgy Kathy Bloemer Rachel Chamberlain Maureen Habing Cheryl Heuerman Lynn Huber Kay McMahon Jody Smith Lisa Starwalt Jacki Tabbert Jill Buhnerkempe Darlene Buehnerkemper Elaine Buehnerkemper Ginny Cooper Monica Feldhake Debbie Niebrugge Jennifer Weidner Judy Wermert Loretta Zane Janet Goldstein (sub)

R.E. Building Supervisors Hank Niebrugge Larry Habing Barb Runde Jim Niebrugge Alice Niebrugge Becky Rhodes Ruth Drees Reta Swingler Ron Probst Mary Ellen Wente Linda Hutmacher Jamie Habing Sharon Brummer Lucy Uptmor Rosalee Hinkle Pat/Janet Dhom Angie Esker Monica Stortzum Judy Wermert Leann/Mike Buening Gordon Zuber Jean Cornell Rick Cornell Jean Sehy June Grunloh Amy Frey Jen Thoele Tammy Willenborg Bernice Broom Mary B/Harold Hartke Dolores Kroeger Patty Kreke Tom Runde Jim Weis Karen Ruholl Marilyn Heuerman Mary Lou Esker LuAnn Heuerman Jane Ruholl Steve Walker Karen Weber (sub) Camille Neihls (sub) Emily Willenborg (sub)

Welcome, Catechists, to a new year!

St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 6

40 Day Prayer Campaign for Life: Our parish will soon be participating in this locally organized prayer and action effort from Sept. 28 to Nov. 6. We will be join-ing people of faith across our nation to pray and fast for an end to abortion. We praise God for the closing of the Eff-ingham Planned Parenthood office, ending a major abortion referral center and dispenser of abortifacient medications in our area! Much prayer is still needed to close abortion cen-ters and restore respect for human life, and we will have Eucharistic Days of Prayer at St Francis Church on Oct. 6 and Nov. 2. We will also be asking for Acts of Mercy in giving of time in helping moms, dads, and babies by sorting clothes or cleaning items at the Silk Purse thrift store, which serves Family Life Center clients in using their “Mommy Dollar” coupons. More details soon!

Thanks to Fr. Thinh, the Teutopolis KC’s, and all those who came to pray on Sept. 10th at the KC Memorial to the Unborn for the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. We remember the humanity of the more than 58 million boys and girls whose lives were violently-and legal-ly-ended by abortion. Let us work and pray to affirm and protect all life, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Even if a mother could forget her child, I will not forget you. I have carved you in the palm of my hand. Isaiah 49:15-16

St. Francis “Family Meal,” music and fun! Join the parish family to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, our parish patron saint! On Saturday, October 1, we’ll have Mass at 4:30 pm followed by a meal, music and fun in the mini park. Bring your families and friends (and your lawn chairs and beverage of choice) for a fun parish social!

55+ We still have a few spots open on the bus for the 55+ trip this Tuesday to Moonshine for lunch and then a tour of Casey’s World’s Biggest Displays! We leave at 10:30 am and will be back by 2:30 pm. Call the parish office to hold your spot!

The Fall Golf Cart Ride is being held October 4 beginning at 1 pm! We’ll do the ride and come back to St. Clare Hall for snacks following! Sign up by calling the par-ish office! Let them know if you have a golf cart you’ll be bringing or if you’ll be a passenger!

The Teutopolis Band Boosters are holding their annual Fall Breakfast on Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. until noon at the Teutopolis Grade School Audi-torium. The Boosters and Band Members will be serving an “all you can eat” breakfast of whole hog sausage, fried and scrambled eggs, pancakes, homemade rolls and breads, coffee, juice, and milk. Also, there will be a Country Store with crafts and baked items for sale, as well as a raffle for many nice prizes and services. This is the only fundraiser the Band Boosters have to support the Teutopolis Band Pro-gram. Proceeds from the breakfast will be used to help pay for expenses incurred with the band program.

Catholic Charities Fall Fun Run will be Satur-day, September 24, beginning at 8:00 am at the Teutopolis Community Park. 3.75 Mile Run/Walk (Scenic Snake Trail) - $25.00; 1 Mile Run/Walk (Teutopolis Jr. High Track) - $15.00. For questions or to register, contact Cath-olic Charities at 857-1458. All proceeds will support the mission and ministries of Catholic Charities.

The Teutopolis American Legion Breakfast is taking place today, Sunday, September 18, from 7:00-11:30 am at the Teutopolis American Legion Hall.

Family Life Center Fundraising Banquet will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29th, at the Keller Conven-tion Center. Seating at 6:30 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Fea-tured speaker: Melissa Ohden, survivor of failed saline abortion. Reservations are required, and may be obtained by contacting the Family Life Center. Kindly R.S.V.P. by Sept. 20.

Lunch for Liam - September 25, 11 am - 3 pm. Bene-fit for Jackie and Coach Walker’s grandson, and son of Jake and Aiko Reed, who has had a liver transplant. A pulled pork sandwich lunch will be served. There will be live mu-sic, silent and live auctions, raffle and a corn hole tourna-ment. All funds raised in honor of Liam are used for trans-plant-related expenses for his lifetime through COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association). Visit cotafor-liamr.com to read more about Liam and his family’s jour-ney. For tickets or other questions, contact Teri Jansen - 857-6093.

St. Hedwig’s Oktoberfest - This annual family friendly event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 25th, from noon to 4 pm on the Newman Center grounds at EIU, 500 Roosevelt Dr. Charleston. There will be games, food and music for the whole family to enjoy.

Fall Breakfast - St. Isidore Parish, St. Joseph Church, Island Grove, will have its Annual Fall Breakfast on Sun-day, October 2, 7 am to 12 pm at St. Joseph Parish Center.

Teutopolis Grade School Blood Drive (Community Blood Services of Illinois) to be held on Thursday, September 22, 3:00 to 7:00 pm, in the TGS cafe-teria (please enter through the west ramp entrance).

A 4-H Blood Drive sponsored by the 4-H clubs of Effingham, Jasper, Fayette and Clay counties will be held on Monday, Oct. 17, 3:00-7:00 pm, at the University of Illi-nois Extension Office Basement, 1209 Wenthe Drive, Eff-ingham.

Holy Humor...Bulletin blooper...Please place your dona-tion in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.