In our Catholic faith, we believe that death is not the end—life is changed, not ended. Because of God’s infinite love for each of us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to open the gates of Heaven through His death and resurrection. While the loss of a loved one brings deep sorrow, we find comfort in the promise of eternal life and in the knowledge that God walks with us during our grief.

The Funeral Liturgy is a sacred time to mourn our loss, celebrate a life, and find hope in the Resurrection. As a parish, we are here to walk with you during this difficult time and to help plan a beautiful and meaningful funeral Mass or service that honors your loved one and reflects our shared faith in eternal life.

A Catholic funeral typically includes three parts:

1. The Vigil (Wake) Service
   Usually held at the funeral home, this is a time for prayer, remembrance, and gathering as a community to support one another.

2. The Funeral Mass
   Celebrated in the church, this is the central liturgy of Catholic mourning, where we commend the deceased to God’s mercy and draw strength from the Eucharist.

3. The Committal (Burial) Service
   Held at the gravesite, this final farewell places our loved one in the earth, in the hope of the resurrection.

Funeral arrangements are generally coordinated through a funeral director, who will contact the parish to confirm dates and times for the services.

If you are facing the loss of a loved one, please know you are not alone. We are here to support you with prayer, compassion, and the comfort of faith. For assistance with planning a funeral, please contact Kathy Simonelli.