Funerals and Prayer

Funeral Planning Guides are available from Fr. Tom. 

We are creating a booklet to help you pre-plan your funeral or a loved one’s funeral Mass. It includes suggestions for readings and hymns. There are worksheets for planning out the Vigil Service and the Funeral Mass. You may fill these out at any time and leave a copy with the parish office. (WE ARE SETTING THIS UP FOR ON-LINE ONLY BECAUSE OF STAY AT HOME ORDERS)

After your loved one passes, you may call the parish office to let us know and to give us an idea of what day you are wanting to schedule the funeral Mass. 

When you go to the funeral home, they will walk you through everything and call us while you are there to schedule the funeral Mass. If we know ahead of time, we can get hold of the priest so that we can have an answer for you at that time. We will also schedule a family meeting with you, the priest, and one of our funeral coordinators. At this meeting, you will plan the readings and music. The priest will also have an opportunity to get to know your family and stories of your loved one.

The Catholic Funeral Mass is one of the Church’s greatest gifts during the time of loss and grief. It celebrates our belief in the resurrection of the body and God’s forgiveness.

PRAYERS FOR OUR ILL AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

Mass intentions may be scheduled by contacting Fr. Tom.  St. Mary’s does not charge for a Mass Intention; all are welcome and equal when it comes to prayer and the power of the Mass!

When scheduling a Mass intention for a specific time and date, we will do our best to honor that.  But when a priest is not available for that Mass, it may have to be rescheduled to another time.  You can always be notified of that change if you leave your address or telephone number.

Masses can be for a living person. 

WHY DO CATHOLICS OFFER MASSES FOR THE DEAD?

Jesus said, “…Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31). And 2 Maccabees 12:46 reads, “thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.”

Do you have a good friend? Do you ever talk to that friend; interact with that friend; or ask for certain help? As Catholics, we believe in the “communion of saints.” In other words, we transition from this eartly life to a heavenly one in the presence of the living God. If you were friends with someone who has died, what better person to take your prayers and requests to the throne of God! As Catholics, we do not pray “to” the saints or to statues; we ask people who walked this earth to intercede with us. What better friend can there be!

PARISH INTERCESSIONS

If you’d like someone remembered or prayed for at Mass, please drop a note to Fr. Tom!