Remembering and Praying for Our Dead 🕯️
As Catholics, we don’t simply remember those we love who have died—we pray for them. Here at St. Mary’s and Our Lady of Fatima Mission, there are many beautiful ways we pray for our faithful departed, honor their memory, and entrust them to the mercy of God.
🙏 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 lovingly prepare and serve the meal, set beautiful tables, and take care of the cleanup, allowing the family time to gather and share memories after saying goodbye to their loved one. There is no charge for the luncheon. Families may make a voluntary offering if they wish and are able.
It is another beautiful way our parish community surrounds a grieving family with faith, compassion, and loving service during a difficult time.
🕯️ 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 Remembrance Mass.
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 our 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 and kept up to date 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 also 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.
✝️ And at every Mass, we pray for the dead.
During the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church specifically remembers those who have died and asks God to welcome them into the light of His presence.
These aren’t simply traditions. They are expressions of one of the beautiful truths 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.