All Saints Day parties and processions are popular in Catholic families and schools. Whether you’re ordering or making them, now is a good time to start planning for your kids’ saint costumes and related festivities. Find loads of ideas at www.catholicicing.com and www.catholicallyear.com, where there are more than 150 All Saints Day costume ideas, including last-minute options that can double as a more typical Halloween costume. Think St. Francis of Assisi and a Jedi Knight.
Leading up to early November feast days is a good time to pray for the deceased and for the intercession of the saints. Sign up for an All Saints’ Day novena on Oct. 23 or an All Souls’ Day novena on Oct. 24 – nine days prior to the feasts – at www.praymorenovenas.com. And remember to add the names of your deceased loved ones to your parish’s remembrance book before Nov. 1. Many churches leave the book on the altar throughout the month of November.