We, the TYP family, came together on September 6, 2025, for our yearly memorial service, a moving occasion that paid tribute to our departed loved ones. A mixture of sadness and happiness characterized the event as family members gathered to express their love, memories, and grief.
Canon Mutasa delivered a powerful Eucharistic mass to start the event, which set the tone for the subsequent emotional journey The TYP choir’s lovely, heartfelt songs enhanced the solemnity as usual.
New members of the family took the opportunity to write letters to their departed loved ones, expressing their grief and longing. As they read their letters aloud, the atmosphere was filled with tears and emotion. This powerful exercise allowed family members to process their feelings and pay tribute to those who had passed on.
The letters were then burned as a symbolic act of love and release, representing the discharge of feelings and the continuation of love outside of the material world. As the letters burned, the family joined in prayer and song, making it an emotional and memorable moment.
Furthermore, this year’s theme, “Cultivating Gentleness, Practicing Humility, and Celebrating Gratitude,“ was revisited, as the family acknowledged that they had not fully embodied these values in the past year. The repetition of the theme served as a reminder of the importance of striving for personal growth and self-improvement.
This Theme Is Being Repeated Because:
- We Often Struggle to Live It Out
Most of us hear the message but fail to consistently apply it in daily life. Repeating the theme reinforces its importance and encourages practical growth over time.
- Spiritual Growth Is a Process
Humility, gentleness, and gratitude aren’t developed overnight. Repetition gives room for gradual transformation and deeper understanding year by year.
- The World Constantly Challenges These Values
In a culture driven by pride, aggression, and entitlement, these virtues can be lost. Repeating the theme is a way of countering societal pressures with Kingdom values.
- New People Join the Journey Each Year
Not everyone started when the theme did. Repetition ensures new members or younger generations don’t miss out on foundational teachings.
- Consistency Builds Identity
A repeated theme can become part of a group’s spiritual identity and culture, reminding everyone what they stand for.
TYP Councilors gave special words of support as the ceremony was coming to a close, pushing the family to keep moving forward on their path of love and self-discovery. With a feeling of hope and rejuvenation,
The family later gathered for lunch, dessert, and socializing as the ceremonial proceedings drew to an end. As family members snapped pictures and relished the chance to spend time together, the mood changed to one of happiness and connectedness.
Above all this memorial service served as an inspiring illustration of the strength of love and remembrance. Even though it was bittersweet, the occasion was a moving reminder of how important it is to remember our loved ones who passed on and to uphold moral principles that foster individual development and family harmony.
