Funeral Preparation
By this final greeting “we sing for his departure from this life and separation from us, but also because there is a communion and a reunion. For even dead, we are not at all separated from one another, because we all run the same course and we will find one another again in the same place. We shall never be separated, for we live for Christ, and now we are united with Christ as we go toward him . . . we shall all be together in Christ.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1690
DEAR FRIENDS,
I and the pastoral staff at St. Charles offer our condolences and prayers to you and your family at this difficult time. The funeral rites of the Church are meant to comfort and console the sorrowing and commend the deceased to the mercy of God as we offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life and proclaim our faith in the Resurrection from the dead. The materials found on this page are provided to assist you and your family in preparing the funeral rites that we will celebrate for your loved one who has returned to God. Please see the column to the right of the page for additional information. I will be in touch to arrange a meeting to review the funeral liturgy with you and to give you the opportunity to share with me about the life of the deceased.
The faith of our St. Charles parish community brings support and strength to those who suffer the loss of those whom they love. “Blessed are they who mourn; they shall be consoled” (Matthew 5:3). The celebration of the funeral rites is a great gift to the deceased and an expression of our belief in the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead. Our community of faith is here to accompany you and the deceased along the Christian journey to our heavenly home. May we assist each other with our prayer and presence, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!
SINCERELY IN CHRIST,
Rev. Philip M. Forlano
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