tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post4724225192198433106..comments2024-03-27T13:12:39.343-04:00Comments on A Concord Pastor Comments: When there's a funeral: Catholics come home!Concord Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-83468797928578516872012-05-04T20:09:07.492-04:002012-05-04T20:09:07.492-04:00I tried posting from work earlier and blogger kept...I tried posting from work earlier and blogger kept eating my comments...<br /><br />In any case, at my work parish we have been really blessed in this area. First of all, anyone who comes in for a funeral is welcomed with the same care whether we know them well or we are just meeting them then. That matters - a lot.<br /><br />As part of our ritual, we have these wooden crosses that I put the deceased person's name on and their date of death. This goes to the viewing and is presented during the Vigil prayers. It usually stays on or near the pillow. <br /><br />That cross then comes to the funeral mass and after the casket is in place, a family member places the cross on top of the pall. After communion, but before the final commendation, someone from the family signs the memorial book and there is a beautiful procession to our memorial wall, where the cross is placed. The cross will stay on the wall for a year, I'll get to that in a minute.<br /><br />We do a month's mind mass and invite the family to that, 30 days after the date of death. We also have a lot of correspondence, cards as well as grief books, that get sent in increments; they are a series. <br /><br />An especially lovely All Souls mass is held. I did not realize the impact of just what this meant, although I had been to so many of them... until it was for my own relative's death. And my husband went over to that wall of crosses, looking at his sister's name. I would stop there daily and say a prayer, but I took that for granted in a way. That night, so many people went to that wall, for that reason.<br /><br />When it is the 1 yr anniversary, we invite the family back to a mass of their choosing, on or near the date. The cross is presented to them with a lovely prayer.<br /><br />It is all very, very personal and beautiful.<br /><br />We see so much that comes from this. It is so powerfully beautiful. I am happy to share photos of the crosses, prayers or anything else, with anyone that wishes to contact me.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-9601046678418714122012-05-04T03:03:58.337-04:002012-05-04T03:03:58.337-04:00Wise words, as always, Austin.
I totally agree th...Wise words, as always, Austin.<br /><br />I totally agree that funerals can be very powerful moments of welcoming.<br /><br />I'm wondering if you've heard of any successful efforts AFTER FUNERALS to reach out to the lost or marginalized. Any specific practices that you can share? Our Consolation ministry, which is involved with the planning, celebration, and follow-up after funerals is looking for some better programatic ways to help their follow-up consolation ministries.Fr. Gene Vavricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-6899304821917455872012-05-03T00:35:43.881-04:002012-05-03T00:35:43.881-04:00I agree...funerals are occassions that bring Catho...I agree...funerals are occassions that bring Catholics home. I have had friends who were so moved by the gospel message and the music, in addition to the familiar signs and symbols. They stated the beautiful liturgy moved them...I guess the Holy Spirit was at work!ASSISIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11241907096708550370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-7409395472354258632012-05-02T21:53:37.310-04:002012-05-02T21:53:37.310-04:00You are so right! I've seen this too. Anothe...You are so right! I've seen this too. Another tool for bringing Catholics home is the marriage ceremony. Here's an opportunity to explain the beauty of vows pronounced in a church. And if there's a nuptial Mass, then there's even a better opportunity to explain step by step the sacredness and importance of why this couple would want to pronounce their vows in front of the True Presence.Faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13945662015612932618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-3156006685222518052012-05-02T21:33:45.124-04:002012-05-02T21:33:45.124-04:00Amen to that. Not the only reason but attending an...Amen to that. Not the only reason but attending and then singing in the choir for Catholic funerals drew me to the church. So beautiful, joyful, poignant, and Christ-centered.Meredith Gouldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260267368064065843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-2490190192908287842012-05-02T19:41:27.554-04:002012-05-02T19:41:27.554-04:00Beautifully put and so very true.Beautifully put and so very true.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.com