Fr. John Kiley on the Realities of Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell

“‘No sun; no moon. No morn; no noon. No dawn; no dusk. No proper time of day. No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease. No comfortable feel in any member. No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees. No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! November!’

“Nineteenth century English poet Thomas Hood offers this gray depiction of the 11th month grimly placed between the bright orange leaves of October and the glistening white snows of December. Americans of course celebrate a festive Thanksgiving Day toward the end of the month but that date has been kidnapped from November by being labeled the start of the so-called holiday season. . . . Yet the secular world which observed Veterans (formerly Armistice) Day on November 11 is for once in step with the Christian world which marked All Souls Day on November 2nd. Dim November is ideally suited to reflect on our deceased – the demise of fallen heroes, the death of family members, the earthly departure of friends.”

In a recent commentary, Father John Kiley (Pastor Emeritus, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Warwick, RI, and Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Providence) reflected on the realities of death, judgment, heaven, and hell – even though many people choose not to think about them or only superficially consider them.

To access Fr. Kiley’s complete column, please visit:

The Quiet Corner: Thinking about judgment and eternity (15 NOV 12)