Together in Christ
for the Greater Glory of God
for the Greater Glory of God
In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by His death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the Author of life and the Hope of the just.
The Order of Christian Funerals uses "funeral rites" as a general designation of all the liturgical celebrations whereby the assembled community worships God, commends the dead to God's merciful love, and offers support and consolation to the grieving. The first of these rites is the "vigil" or wake service. The "funeral liturgy" is the central celebration, whether as a funeral Mass or a funeral service without Mass. The "rite of committal," usually at graveside, completes the funeral rites.
Offering worship, praying for the deceased, and consoling the family are a primary ministry and responsibility of our faith community at Holy Family Parish.
The Vigil for the Deceased
At the Vigil, the Christian community gathers in prayer to console and support the grieving family and to intercede with God for the deceased. One of the Holy Family priests or deacons generally presides. The Vigil takes place in the funeral home and offers the support of Christian faith, hope, and love. By request, a member of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased during the Vigil. The assembly at the funeral home seeks to participate fully (spoken or sung) in the liturgical action of celebrating the Vigil.
The Funeral Mass
The funeral Mass is celebrated in the Parish church. A Catholic church is the place where the Christian life is begotten in Baptism, nourished in the Eucharist, and now where the community gathers to commend one of its deceased members to the Father. At the funeral Mass through the Rite of Final Commendation and Farewell, the family, friends and the faith community at Holy Family acknowledge the reality of separation and that the deceased is commended to God. In this way, they recognize the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaim their belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.
The funeral home Director, in consultation with the Parish priests and staff, will involve the family in planning the funeral Mass, i.e. recommending readings, prayers, music, and needed liturgical ministry. As with the Vigil, the assembly at the church seeks to participate fully (spoken or sung) in the liturgical action of celebrating the funeral Mass.
The Rite of Committal (Burial)
The act of Committal expresses the full meaning of the funeral rites: that the grave, once a sign of despair, is now, through Christ's own death and resurrection, a sign of hope and promise. This liturgical action includes prayer, Scripture, intercessions and blessings and is generally presided over by a priest or deacon.
St. Joseph Cemetery, in Amesbury and operated by Holy Family Parish, offers consecrated ground for a final resting place.
The Order of Christian Funerals uses "funeral rites" as a general designation of all the liturgical celebrations whereby the assembled community worships God, commends the dead to God's merciful love, and offers support and consolation to the grieving. The first of these rites is the "vigil" or wake service. The "funeral liturgy" is the central celebration, whether as a funeral Mass or a funeral service without Mass. The "rite of committal," usually at graveside, completes the funeral rites.
Offering worship, praying for the deceased, and consoling the family are a primary ministry and responsibility of our faith community at Holy Family Parish.
The Vigil for the Deceased
At the Vigil, the Christian community gathers in prayer to console and support the grieving family and to intercede with God for the deceased. One of the Holy Family priests or deacons generally presides. The Vigil takes place in the funeral home and offers the support of Christian faith, hope, and love. By request, a member of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased during the Vigil. The assembly at the funeral home seeks to participate fully (spoken or sung) in the liturgical action of celebrating the Vigil.
The Funeral Mass
The funeral Mass is celebrated in the Parish church. A Catholic church is the place where the Christian life is begotten in Baptism, nourished in the Eucharist, and now where the community gathers to commend one of its deceased members to the Father. At the funeral Mass through the Rite of Final Commendation and Farewell, the family, friends and the faith community at Holy Family acknowledge the reality of separation and that the deceased is commended to God. In this way, they recognize the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaim their belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.
The funeral home Director, in consultation with the Parish priests and staff, will involve the family in planning the funeral Mass, i.e. recommending readings, prayers, music, and needed liturgical ministry. As with the Vigil, the assembly at the church seeks to participate fully (spoken or sung) in the liturgical action of celebrating the funeral Mass.
The Rite of Committal (Burial)
The act of Committal expresses the full meaning of the funeral rites: that the grave, once a sign of despair, is now, through Christ's own death and resurrection, a sign of hope and promise. This liturgical action includes prayer, Scripture, intercessions and blessings and is generally presided over by a priest or deacon.
St. Joseph Cemetery, in Amesbury and operated by Holy Family Parish, offers consecrated ground for a final resting place.
? For More Funeral Rites Info,
Contact: Sue Greaney
978-388-0330 Ext. 104
parishoffice@hfamesbury.com
Contact: Sue Greaney
978-388-0330 Ext. 104
parishoffice@hfamesbury.com
