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The Value of a Funeral: A Catholic Perspective

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For additional information on 'Catholics and Cremation' - click here

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In 1993, the Bereavement Ministry was formed by a small group of parishioners with Monsignor Vincent O’Donohue.  They provided support to immediate family members of the deceased in the Parish.  This included making a visit to the funeral home and inviting family members to a special memorial mass on the last Saturday of each month.  The annual “All Souls Day” mass also began in 1993 remembering all parishioners who did during the past year.

 

In 1995, Pastor Father Hugh Gibson expanded the responsibilities of the Bereavement Ministry to include taking an active part in the vigil prayer service for the deceased by reading a selected passage from the Liturgy of the Word and to lead the congregation in reciting the responsorial Psalm.

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In 2017, our Ministry was carried forward by our Pastor, Father Peter Rowe, Associate Pastor, Father Gregory Schmidt, and Deacon Gunther Eyer.  

 

Under the leadership of Father Mathew, our Ministry is now continuing. 

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A team member will meet with the family to assist with preparations for the funeral. When assisting at the vigil, the team member will present the next-of-kin with a memorial mass card from the Parish with the date of the next mass in memoriam, at which the deceased will be remembered and prayed for.  These memorial masses are scheduled for the lFirstt Saturday of February ,Mayand August  at the five o’clock mass.  The family of the deceased will be notified by letter, and a follow-up phone call, about the special “All Souls Memorial Mass” celebrated in November for all deceased during the past year.  At this special mass, one person from the family is asked to place a rose in a vase as the name of the deceased is read aloud.  A team member will place the flower if no family member is in attendance.  

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Providing families support, love, and prayers of the Parish Community, through the Bereavement Ministry is a gratifying and humbling experience.  Please consider joining our ministry and become a team member.  An extra friend in times of sorrow, make the future a much brighter tomorrow!  Completion of police check is required for Volunteers.

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Ministry Lead - Sinéad Graham - sineadg065@gmail.com