|
I
AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Dear
Friends: The
parish family of St.
Andrew Avellino extends its condolences to you at this time of loss.
Be assured that our prayers and concerns are with you during
this time of bereavement and last farewell. We
are with you as you pray for your loved one during the days ahead.
One of the priests will be with you at the Wake the day before
the Funeral Mass. He will
usually come to the Funeral Parlor the afternoon or evening before the
funeral to lead those present in prayer and reading from Scripture
providing hope and comfort to the bereaved. The
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial is a time for all to join together
with Christ in celebrating the Eucharist.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for the life of the
deceased and for the hope of resurrection given to all of us in Christ
Jesus. In the Eucharist we pray for the eternal peace and rest of
the deceased and for comfort and strength for those who mourn. We would like to make the Mass spiritually enriching for the family and friends of the deceased. If you wish and feel up to it, at this most difficult time, you may assist in the planning of the Mass and participate in the following ways: CHOOSING THE MUSIC There
are four times during the Funeral Mass when hymns are sung - Entrance,
Offertory, Communion and Recessional.
If you have any favorite hymns, please list them on the form
enclosed. CHOOSING
THE SCRIPTURES Normally
the priest will chose the readings for the Mass.
If there are particular readings from the Old Testament or New
Testament that would give you special comfort or were favorites of the
deceased, you may note them
on the same form. The
Funeral Director has a book containing a number of suggested selections.
If a family member or friend wishes to do any of the readings,
please indicate that on the form. PLACING
THE PALL ON THE CASKET As
the casket is brought into the Church, it is blessed with holy water and
covered with a white cloth which reminds us of the Baptism of the
deceased. Family members or friends may place the cloth on the casket
as a sign of reverence and respect for a fellow child of God called to
the Lord. PRESENTING
THE GIFTS AT THE OFFERTORY The
bread and wine to be used at the Eucharist are brought to the Altar by
family members or friends. DELIVERING
A EULOGY Someone
may wish to deliver a few remarks about the deceased.
This may be done after the Communion of the Mass. You
may consider participating in one or more of these ways.
Please indicate your choices on the form enclosed and the priest
will discuss them with you at the Wake Service. Because
of parish commitments, a priest from the parish is able to go only to
the two local cemeteries, Mt. St. Mary's and Flushing.
There is usually a Cemetery Chaplain at other Catholic Cemeteries
who conducts a graveside Service. If
we can be of any service to you during the time of loss, please do not
hesitate to contact the Rectory. We
would also bring to your attention that there is a Bereavement Group
that meets weekly at St. Andrew Avellino Rectory. I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE |
|
