You may not have noticed, if you looked at the funeral planning form that I provided a few weeks ago that offered choices for the Mass of Resurrection, the first two involved having the body present in a casket followed by either interment OR cremation and then interment in the ground or in a columbarium. I purposefuly put the options in the order I did, as they reflect the "Church's" preferences though obviously on such a form, there is not room to include the "why's" of these preferences. I can honestly say that while the choice of cremation has become the norm in our parish and we are blessed to have a beautiful Columbarium garden with four columbarium with niches that hold the cremains for one or normally two people, most are still not informed as to why the Catholic Church "urges" that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy or liturgies before cremation takes place.
It does so firstly out of respect for the body that was the temple of the Holy Spirit and that was washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation and fed with the bread of life. Also, to be considered, is the reality of the grieving process which is strongly supported and effective when a body is present and when possible is viewed at least by the family before the funeral liturgies take place. We have seen and no doubt remember certain "dignitaries" who lied in state before their funerals took place in order for many people, family and others "pay their respects" and grieve the loss. This is important and should be considered as one makes their own or their loved one's arrangements for what is done after death.
Funeral homes are ready to rent out a casket for a person's funeral rites with the understanding that cremation will follow. While there are additional costs for arranging to have a person's body present for the funeral liturgies before cremation, I would hope that financial costs would not in this important matter be the first or only consideration in what is done after a person dies. While cremation is understandably the choice of many in our parish for some very practical reasons (like insufficient cemetery space around here), I want to encourage you to ponder the Church's view on the value of having a person's body present for the liturgies the Church offers after a person has died. Please remember, too, that the Church urges that we inter a person's urn as soon after the funeral ligurgies as possible and decries any plans to scatter cremains or divide them up for any reason after the cremation takes place.
Also, let me say that if the choice of immediate cremation is made, I will always to supportive of the family in the planning of the funeral liturgies, in lifting up the one who has died in the Mass of Resurrection and in offering bereavement support as is welcomed by the family of the deceased person. I pray "pastoral sensitivity" will always be practiced by all who are involved in bereavement ministry as we lift up to the Lord of love and mercy those who have passed from this life into the hands of God!
It does so firstly out of respect for the body that was the temple of the Holy Spirit and that was washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation and fed with the bread of life. Also, to be considered, is the reality of the grieving process which is strongly supported and effective when a body is present and when possible is viewed at least by the family before the funeral liturgies take place. We have seen and no doubt remember certain "dignitaries" who lied in state before their funerals took place in order for many people, family and others "pay their respects" and grieve the loss. This is important and should be considered as one makes their own or their loved one's arrangements for what is done after death.
Funeral homes are ready to rent out a casket for a person's funeral rites with the understanding that cremation will follow. While there are additional costs for arranging to have a person's body present for the funeral liturgies before cremation, I would hope that financial costs would not in this important matter be the first or only consideration in what is done after a person dies. While cremation is understandably the choice of many in our parish for some very practical reasons (like insufficient cemetery space around here), I want to encourage you to ponder the Church's view on the value of having a person's body present for the liturgies the Church offers after a person has died. Please remember, too, that the Church urges that we inter a person's urn as soon after the funeral ligurgies as possible and decries any plans to scatter cremains or divide them up for any reason after the cremation takes place.
Also, let me say that if the choice of immediate cremation is made, I will always to supportive of the family in the planning of the funeral liturgies, in lifting up the one who has died in the Mass of Resurrection and in offering bereavement support as is welcomed by the family of the deceased person. I pray "pastoral sensitivity" will always be practiced by all who are involved in bereavement ministry as we lift up to the Lord of love and mercy those who have passed from this life into the hands of God!
"The facts, ma'am, just the facts." This quote from the old television series, Dragnet is something that some of us would say used to apply to the "News" we got from television and newspaper "reporting" that provided information about what had happened or was happening in a variety of fields (ie. sports, politics, crime etc.). Sometimes at the end of a television newscast the anchor or someone else would give a short editorial or commentary on something that made the news.
Sadly (or some would say tragically) we seem to get commentary, opinions, and slants that are anything but "the facts." The way we approach the media when it comes to items they "report" on needs to be guarded in every instance especially, I would say, when it comes to religious stories. The story that came out a few weeks ago that Pope Francis was showing an openness to gay marriages is an example of conclusions being drawn that are not reflective of our pope's beliefs and that of the Catholic Church when it comes to this subject. What I would strongly recommend is that we don't react to the media or even some bishops of the church who sadly are quick to speak negatively about the pope in this and in many other instances. The Vatican has recently asked papal representatives to share with bishops some clarifications regarding comments on civil unions. It indicates that Pope Francis' comments on gay civil unions were taken out of context in a documentary that spliced together parts of an old interview. Pope Francis since he has been pope and long before in his position as archbishop of Buenos Aires has STRONGLY opposed moves to allow same sex marriage while he has spoken on the right of people in civil unions to be covered legally.
I encourage us all to be careful about where we receive "Church News." I would recommend that we all read from such publications as the Arkansas Catholic. I invite you to "Google" Arkansas Catholic and see how to get a paper or digital version of this award winning publication. Our pope has not said anything in his teaching role that would indicate ANY change of teaching when it comes to marriage as being defined as being between one man and one woman. THAT is truly a fact that cannot be disputed!
Sadly (or some would say tragically) we seem to get commentary, opinions, and slants that are anything but "the facts." The way we approach the media when it comes to items they "report" on needs to be guarded in every instance especially, I would say, when it comes to religious stories. The story that came out a few weeks ago that Pope Francis was showing an openness to gay marriages is an example of conclusions being drawn that are not reflective of our pope's beliefs and that of the Catholic Church when it comes to this subject. What I would strongly recommend is that we don't react to the media or even some bishops of the church who sadly are quick to speak negatively about the pope in this and in many other instances. The Vatican has recently asked papal representatives to share with bishops some clarifications regarding comments on civil unions. It indicates that Pope Francis' comments on gay civil unions were taken out of context in a documentary that spliced together parts of an old interview. Pope Francis since he has been pope and long before in his position as archbishop of Buenos Aires has STRONGLY opposed moves to allow same sex marriage while he has spoken on the right of people in civil unions to be covered legally.
I encourage us all to be careful about where we receive "Church News." I would recommend that we all read from such publications as the Arkansas Catholic. I invite you to "Google" Arkansas Catholic and see how to get a paper or digital version of this award winning publication. Our pope has not said anything in his teaching role that would indicate ANY change of teaching when it comes to marriage as being defined as being between one man and one woman. THAT is truly a fact that cannot be disputed!
There are those who have "made it" and those who are "on the way." This is one way to describe All Saints (November 1) whom we honor, seek to imitate, and ask for their prayers and All Souls (November 2) whom we remember and pray for in a special way on All Souls' Day and throughout November. Both of these groups of people should serve to remind us that "our home is heaven" and that we are on a continual pilgrimage to our final destination which is to be in the loving presence and embrace of God for all eternity.
As we near another "election day" in our country, when so many people have fears about what might happen in the future in our country if certain candidates are elected it is indeed timely that we in the Catholic Church start the month with All Saints and All Souls Day as it reminds us of the eternally bright future that awaits us in heaven with the Lord and in the company of the Saints!
It's also a good time to bring up and make reference to our V. I. P. (Very Important Parishioner) for the next two months, as recently decided by our pastoral council, Tom Donnelly! Unlike the upcoming election in which some candidates are seen by some in a positive light and by others negatively, I can't imagine any parishioner who would argue the point that Tom is truly one of the "good guys" out there and is one who is continually striving to serve the Lord and many others as well. He is currently our coordinator for our Eucharistic Adoration Ministry which is much more than an administrative position. Tom was and is an Adorer and has taken on the role of substitute for a Holy Hour countless times. So too in his role as Grand Knight for two years and now as Faithful Navigator in our Knights of Columbus. Tom has distinguished himself in his efficiency in presiding at meetings, in working with fellow officers of the Knights of Columbus, and as a chef who cooks meals for gatherings of fellow Knights, for fundraising efforts and for special meals for homeless veterans at St. Francis House in Little Rock. As a retired colonel in the Marines who served during the Vietnam war, Tom was proud to serve his country in a career in the military and he humbly has served and continues to serve his fellow parishioners and others in the ways I've indicated and as a faithful usher at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Please acknowledge and thank Tom when you see him for all his service. He is a most deserving "Very Important Parishioner" of Sacred Heart Church for the months of November and December of this year!
As we near another "election day" in our country, when so many people have fears about what might happen in the future in our country if certain candidates are elected it is indeed timely that we in the Catholic Church start the month with All Saints and All Souls Day as it reminds us of the eternally bright future that awaits us in heaven with the Lord and in the company of the Saints!
It's also a good time to bring up and make reference to our V. I. P. (Very Important Parishioner) for the next two months, as recently decided by our pastoral council, Tom Donnelly! Unlike the upcoming election in which some candidates are seen by some in a positive light and by others negatively, I can't imagine any parishioner who would argue the point that Tom is truly one of the "good guys" out there and is one who is continually striving to serve the Lord and many others as well. He is currently our coordinator for our Eucharistic Adoration Ministry which is much more than an administrative position. Tom was and is an Adorer and has taken on the role of substitute for a Holy Hour countless times. So too in his role as Grand Knight for two years and now as Faithful Navigator in our Knights of Columbus. Tom has distinguished himself in his efficiency in presiding at meetings, in working with fellow officers of the Knights of Columbus, and as a chef who cooks meals for gatherings of fellow Knights, for fundraising efforts and for special meals for homeless veterans at St. Francis House in Little Rock. As a retired colonel in the Marines who served during the Vietnam war, Tom was proud to serve his country in a career in the military and he humbly has served and continues to serve his fellow parishioners and others in the ways I've indicated and as a faithful usher at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Please acknowledge and thank Tom when you see him for all his service. He is a most deserving "Very Important Parishioner" of Sacred Heart Church for the months of November and December of this year!