A Mass of thanksgiving honoring members of the Fons Vitae Society was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, Downtown Brooklyn, on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez, the annual Mass was attended by nearly 30 friends and family members of the Fons Vitae Society, which translates into the “Fountain of Life” Society. The Fons Vitae Society is the Brooklyn Diocese’s planned and estate giving organization, which gives members of the diocese a way to make an impact on the Church beyond their physical life. In his homily, the bishop spoke of the need to honor the deceased and the physical spaces they occupied in this life.

Bishop Sanchez blessed new members of the Society, whose names were added to the Fons Vitae book, which is housed at the basilica. During a light brunch that followed, Bishop Sanchez and Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development, thanked guests for their commitment to the diocese. (Photo courtesy of Futures in Education)