Last weekend I quoted from the Church's official teaching on cremation. It says "Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased person be present for the funeral rites." My experience as a priest is that when a body is present for the vigil/rosary service and for the Mass for the deceased person, the people (family and friends) are given a unique opportunity to grieve the loss of the person in a way that is unlike when the cremains of the person are present.
Funeral homes can make it possible for cremation to take place after the funeral rites. The family would then gather at the place of internment a few days after the funeral with a priest or deacon for the final prayers and blessing of the person's resting place. I ask that, if cremation is your decision for yourself and/or your loved one, that you consider the Church's teaching on the value of having the body of a deceased person present for the funeral rites and inform your family and me of your desires for yourself and your loved one. If immediate cremation is your final decision, know that it is permitted to have the cremains present at the rosary/vigil service and/or the funeral Mass. Practical and logistical factors with regard to all of this, should, of course, be recognized and considered.
Funeral homes can make it possible for cremation to take place after the funeral rites. The family would then gather at the place of internment a few days after the funeral with a priest or deacon for the final prayers and blessing of the person's resting place. I ask that, if cremation is your decision for yourself and/or your loved one, that you consider the Church's teaching on the value of having the body of a deceased person present for the funeral rites and inform your family and me of your desires for yourself and your loved one. If immediate cremation is your final decision, know that it is permitted to have the cremains present at the rosary/vigil service and/or the funeral Mass. Practical and logistical factors with regard to all of this, should, of course, be recognized and considered.
Some of us show an interest in our "family tree" by researching the origins of our family, or as far back as we can go. I know someone in my family was able to trace our family (my dad's side) back to the 1700's. As impressive as that is, it is even more amazing that ALL OF US (who are Christians) can trace our origins back 2,000 years to Jesus Christ. I will be blessed to join about 25 or our parishioners, under the leadership of our tour director Fran Boudreaux, to the Holy Land November 9-18. We will literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus and His apostles at a number of holy sites. Please keep us in your prayers in our travels and know that you will be in our prayers.
Those who receive stewardship envelopes know by now that there is an envelope in the packets which can be used to write names of deceased loved ones whom you want remembered on All Souls Day and throughout the month of November. You are welcome, of course, to include all the names of your deceased loved ones. For some, there may not be enough room on the envelope to put all of these. I would counsel you to include the names of loved ones who have died in the most recent past. This might be in the range of the last 10 or 20 years.
An offering in the envelope is welcomed, but is not expected. If you didn't remember to bring your envelope to put in the basket this weekend, please place your envelopes on the altar on All Saints Day, All Souls Day, or in the few days after that. Eternal rest be unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
An offering in the envelope is welcomed, but is not expected. If you didn't remember to bring your envelope to put in the basket this weekend, please place your envelopes on the altar on All Saints Day, All Souls Day, or in the few days after that. Eternal rest be unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.