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Funerals

In the Funeral Rites of the Roman Catholic Church, we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that Christians who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ will pass with Him from death to life.

We offer prayers and petitions for the deceased and their families. In this way, we pray for God’s consoling hope for ourselves and others.

We acknowledge the pain and grief associated with the death of a loved one and as Christ’s presence on earth, the Church seeks to aid all who mourn.

The involvement of the family in the planning process is important. For example, the family has the opportunity to choose readings from Sacred Scripture and music for the various parts of the celebration.

It is our hope at Saint Anthony Parish that families will contact the parish office immediately upon the death of a loved one. Usually families will be put in touch with one of the priests or a staff person. That person can help put you in touch with a funeral home that is familiar with our faith traditions and customs. The priest or staff person will be happy to meet with you to explain the various options available to you in planning the funeral service. Our goal is to plan a tasteful and appropriate ceremony.

Music is an integral part of any liturgical celebration. Because the funeral rites are prayers of the Catholic faith, the music should come from our worship tradition. Other non-liturgical music might be more appropriate at a reception following the Funeral Mass.

Funerals offer an extraordinary opportunity for families and friends to gather and share memories. Frequently a reception (luncheon or punch and cookies) provides a wonderful occasion to renew acquaintances and celebrate a life well-lived. The Funeral Reception Committee is happy to provide this service.

The customary time we celebrate a Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass is 11am on weekdays.

You may wish to establish a living memorial in the name of your loved one. Friends are often at a loss as to the appropriate way to express their love. Your or the loved one’s favorite charity or the charity of the donor’s choice might be a way to let the deceased be remembered.

We as a parish family are here to assist you. Please do not hesitate to call upon us. We support you in prayer and assure you that as a community gathered around the Table of the Lord, we pray, “Lord, remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.” Those you have loved will not be forgotten.