Remembering and Praying for Our Dead
10 Ways We honor those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith….at St. Mary’s & Our Lady of Fatima Mission
- 🙏 Have a Mass offered for a loved one
Mass intention cards are available through the parish office. The names of those for whom the Mass is offered are published in the bulletin and remembered at Mass. - ⚰️ Celebrate the Catholic Funeral Rites
When a loved one dies, the Church accompanies the deceased and the grieving family with prayer. The Funeral Mass commends the deceased to God’s mercy and offers the Eucharistic sacrifice for his or her soul. At the cemetery, the Rite of Committal provides the Church’s final prayers as the body is laid to rest in the hope of the resurrection. - 🍽️ Gather for a funeral luncheon at St. Mary’s
Following a funeral, St. Mary’s offers a luncheon for the family and friends of the deceased in Frederick Hall. Parish volunteers prepare and serve the meal, set the tables, and take care of cleanup, giving the family time to gather and share memories. There is no charge. Families may make a voluntary offering if they wish and are able. - 🕯️ Light a candle in prayer
Candles may be lit in remembrance of loved ones. See one of our ushers before or after Mass for assistance. - ❤️ Attend our November Mass of Remembrance
Each November, St. Mary’s celebrates a special Mass of Remembrance. The names of parishioners who have died during the previous year are read aloud as we remember them in prayer. - 📖 Remember loved ones in the Book of the Names of the Dead
During November, our Book of the Names of the Dead, also known as the Book of Remembrance, is placed in a place of honor in the church. The book is maintained by our parish secretary, preserving the names of our faithful departed as we remember them in prayer throughout the month. - ⛳ Honor someone through the Charles and Susie Middleton Golf Tournament
Deceased loved ones may be honored through sponsorship of our parish golf tournament, with their names included among those remembered. - 🕯️ Dedicate the Sanctuary Candle
Parishioners may request that the Sanctuary Candle burn in remembrance of a deceased loved one. These intentions are published in the bulletin. Sanctuary Candle memorials are available at both St. Mary’s and Our Lady of Fatima Mission. - ✝️ Pray for the dead at every Mass
During the Eucharistic Prayer at every Mass, the Church specifically remembers those who have died and asks God to welcome them into the light of His presence. - 🌷 Remember loved ones through Christmas and Easter flower intentions. At Christmas and Easter, parishioners may submit the names of loved ones they wish to remember through our flower intentions. These names are placed on the altar during the holy season and are also published in the parish bulletin—a beautiful way to surround our worship with the memory of those we love.
These aren’t simply parish traditions. They are expressions of a beautiful truth of our Catholic faith:
Our love and our prayers do not end at the grave.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.