-
-
If you have lost a loved one to death, you don't have to go through the processes alone. We will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences.
We serve parish families with funeral planning in the event of a loved one's death or the imminent need to plan for a funeral knowing death is near. Following a loss of a loved one, we remain available to the grieving for support and prayer.
Should you experience the death of a loved one, you are most welcome to contact us directly. However, please know that your Funeral Director of choice will take the responsibility of contacting the parish on your behalf to schedule the Funeral Mass. Once scheduled, the pastor or his pastoral assistant will contact you to answer any immediate questions and to begin a conversation about the process of selecting the passages from the Sacred Scriptures as well as the liurgical hymns that will be proclaimed and sung during the Mass of Christian Burial."If we died with him,
we will also live with him" 2 Timothy 2:11 -
Reminder Concerning Eulogies at Funerals:
This is a reprint of a notice that was first published back in May 2015 by The Most Reverend Thomas Tobin, Bishop Emeritus of Providence
The Priests and faithful of the Diocese of Providence are reminded that the liturgical law of the Church clearly prohibits the presentation of eulogies at a Catholic Funeral Mass at any time during the Mass. The law does allow for the presentation of brief “words of remembrance” to be offered by one individual following the closing prayer of the Mass and before the Final Commendation. The decision to allow or not allow “words of remembrance” belongs solely to the pastor who is responsible for the oversight of the liturgy in his parish. The pastor must ensure that if “words of remembrance” are to be presented that they be appropriate and in keeping with the sacred nature of the Mass, both in length and in content. If the pastor cannot do so, then the “words of remembrance” must be omitted.
Guidelines for Words of Remembrance:While there is no obligation for anyone to speak, we would like to say that if ONE family member or friend would like to offer "words of remembrance" vs a eulogy about the deceased loved one at the end of the Funeral Mass, after the prayer following Holy Communion and before the Prayers of Final Commendation, such an opportunity can be provided.
If someone would like the opportunity to speak in church at the end of Mass, that person will be required to send their prepared text to the pastor or his pastoral assistant by way of emal for review.
Given that words of remembrance vs a eulogy may be given in church, the person who will be preparing remarks must adhere to the following outline and guidelines.
1) The words of remembrance may take 3- 5 minutes to deliver.
2) The one person speaking on behalf of the bereaved family is encouraged to thank those present for attending the Funeral Mass.
3) Thereafter, the person speaking should direct the attention of those in attendance to God by thanking God for the gift of the deceased person's life.
4) The person speaking should then identify two - three blessings that the deceased person brought to the lives of others or was in the lives of others.
5) The person speaking should then ask those in attendance to pray for the soul of the deceased person.
6) The person speaking should conclude by talking about how the life of the deceased person brought others closer to God.
7) Again, prior to the day on which the Funeral Mass is scheduled, if someone would like the opportunity to speak in church, it will be necessary for the pastor or his pastoral assistant to review what that one family member or friend is planning on saying.
Bereaved families are reminded that family members or friends are able to speak without restrictions as related to content or length of time during calling hours at the funeral home, at the cemetary following the commital prayers and bestowal of the final blessing or at the gathering that so often takes place after the celebration of the Church's Rite of Christian Burial.
-
-