Just as our birth is a mystery so also our death. Church teaches us not to be afraid or negative about death because it is not an end rather it is a change. “Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven” (Preface of the Christian Death 1). Our Lord died in His humanity and conquered death with His glorious resurrection and has urged us to hope for resurrection. At the death of our loved ones, we come together to share our pain of loss, and celebrate our joyful hope that the deceased will by God’s love enter the beatific vision. “At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist.”(Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction #4).
If a parishioner is sick, someone should contact our Pastor so that he may go to see him/her. If a parishioner passes away, our Pastor should be informed as early as possible. There should be a proper coordination among the family, the funeral home involved and our Pastor to ensure that our beloved member has a respectable funeral. The family is required to call and schedule an appointment with the Pastor and the secretary. This meeting is very important so that the family gets adequate information about our Parish Liturgical procedure. The secretary is available to help the family with information and explanations. We want our parishioners to realize that the funeral we are arranging for our parish member who has passed is a Catholic funeral.
Funeral Mass begins in our Parish at 10:00 am on Saturdays. The Funeral Home brings in the body into the Church at 8:00 am. Viewing lasts from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. We pray the Rosary from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. A few people are allowed to share a few thoughts about the deceased from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, or viewing continues. After the internment at the cemetery people are asked to please return immediately to our Parish Hall for a repast.
If the Funeral is on a weekday, the Funeral Home brings the body into the church at 9:00 am. Viewing lasts from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Rosary is said from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. Sharing of thoughts or viewing lasts from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Funeral Mass starts at 11:00 am. People are asked to immediately return to the Parish Hall right after the internment at the cemetery.
Vigil for the Deceased:
If any family wants to organize a Vigil for their deceased family member they should work it out with the Pastor. When there is Vigil, funeral Mass shall begin at 10:00 am (Saturday) or at 11:00 (weekday) the following day without viewing and Rosary, because they have been covered at the Vigil.