Ministers for funerals

[leannemaree]

This is a subject that, I am not sure how people feel about, but it is something prevelant in the dioceses I live.
It is a bone of contention for me.
We have a course being run in this dioceses called a bereavement course, and it calls for participants to attend the family, of someone sick, attend the funeral and when called upon to officiate the funeral service
There is a lot more to unpack about this, but could anyone give there opinion.

I am helping run a weekend, for married couples this weekend, so I may not get back immediately

Leanne

[GilWright]

Good luck with the weekend.

I don't know what the specific rules are but I am aware that there is a form of the funeral rites that can be done by a Deacon and a form that can be used by an Instituted Acolyte because Fr Tim Deeter specifically mentioned this during the update for Acolytes during the release of the new GIRM (General Instruction for the Roman Missal).

I will look it up for more information (unless someone beats me to the punch).

[DavidObeid]

With all respect, I'd want a priest and I'd want a Mass.

My 2 cents.

[New Jack Swinger]

With all respect, I'd want a priest and I'd want a Mass.

My 2 cents.

Ditto. Give me a line up of Priests!

[leannemaree]

Thank you for your responses,

I would love mor info Gill,

BUT i would also want a Priest and a Mass.
I think our parishioners in this dioceses are being robbed. only my opinion.

God bless you all,

Leanne

[frjohnlm]

SYDNEY ARCHDIOCESE
GUIDELINES FOR LAY MINISTERS WHO PRESIDE AT
FUNERALS (http://www.liturgy.sydney.catholic.org.au/documents/pdf/funeralguidelinesx.pdf)

THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

The Order of Christian Funerals provides us with a series of rites, arranged to meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of the deceased and those who mourn, and intended to be considered as a continual ritual process. The three public liturgies are the Vigil for the deceased, the Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal. It is vital that in the celebration of these ritual moments a continuity is maintained, especially between the funeral liturgy and the rite of committal.

The Order of Christian Funerals reflects a strong sense of journey, and is centred upon the paschal mystery. The journey of Christ from death to life is also the journey of the Church and of the mourners who accompany the body of the deceased on its last journey. The
community ritualises this journey to the church, and then to the cemetery or the final resting place of the person who has died.

MINISTERS OF THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

The primacy of the assembly is insisted upon in the Order of Christian Funerals. The church calls each member of Christ’s Body - priest, deacon, lay-person - to participate in the ministry of consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort
those who mourn. 8
This it does principally through its active participation in the celebration of the funeral rites. The Order of Christian Funerals highlights this, by requesting that special consideration be given to the timing of the rites to ensure as many as possible can attend. 11

Members of the community assist the mourners with the preparation of the rituals and their celebration, as well as by practical expressions of comfort and consolation. It is desirable that all the usual liturgical ministers, musicians, readers, special ministers of communion, acolytes or servers are available to assist at the funeral liturgy, and associated rites.

Priests ordinarily preside at funerals, however, the Order makes provision for the delegation of this ministry to baptised members of the parish community.

The rite states: “Priests, as teachers of faith and ministers of comfort, preside at the funeral rites, especially the Mass; the celebration of the funeral liturgy is especially entrusted to parish priests (pastors). When no priest is available, deacons, as ministers of the word, of the altar, and of charity, preside at funeral rites. When no priest or deacon is available for the vigil and related rites or the rite of committal, a lay-person presides.” 14

Pastoral circumstances may therefore determine that a member of the parish community be delegated by the pastor to preside at any or all of the rites, and especially at the Vigil and Rite of Committal.

LAY PRESIDERS AT FUNERALS

1. The pastor of a parish may delegate to the lay faithful the ministry of presiding at the Vigil, Committal, and in exceptional circumstances, the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass.

2. Deputation may be for a limited but unspecified period, or for a fixed term, and only applies to the particular parish to which the lay presider belongs.

3. A lay presider of funerals will usually be part of a parish funeral team, who offer pastoral care and assist with the preparation of the funeral rites.

4. The lay presider collaborates with those who have prepared the funeral rites for the deceased person, and participates in the funeral liturgy to ensure continuity and the integrity of the order of the rites being celebrated.

5. A lay person who presides at a funeral liturgy outside Mass wears the liturgical vestments approved for the region. 182 (An alb?)

6. It is assumed that ministers will have made prior contact with the bereaved before presiding at a Vigil or Committal. It is not appropriate that lay presiders perform any part of the funeral rites in isolation from the central liturgical celebration of the funeral
Mass.

FORMATION

1. Lay presiders of funerals require suitable training to undertake their particular ministry. They would need to be people of pastoral sensitivity, and demonstrate the skill of presiding.

2. They must be thoroughly familiar with the Order of Christian Funerals.

3. Lay persons who preside at funeral liturgies give an instruction on the readings. 27 Their ministry is therefore clearly related to the Word, and assumes a knowledge of the scriptures.

4. Lay presiders at funerals should be prepared to participate in ongoing formation and regular supervision.

[leannemaree]

Thanking you for your post. Its nice to see it in writing.
This raises so many questions for me though.
I was asked to be part of this pastoral team, and undergo training, but it just wasn't sitting right with me. and still doesn't.
thank you though,

leanne

[DavidObeid]

That's a more than fair response Leanne. Simply because something is allowed or tolerated does not automatically mean it is a good thing to do or aspire to.

[leannemaree]

Its almost like saying, Ok we have a shortage of priest and we won't do anything about it, just bandaid it, by allowing laitety to be present in that role- So no Mass, just the communion service.
Sorry in advance if I have offended anyone, or opened a can of worms.

As I said it doesn't sit right,

leanne

[frjohnlm]

I did sense there is more to your post than meets the eye..you need to keep in mind that we don't all know Leanne like David does ;)...since you made your point clearer, I recall that I didn't display the Church guidelines in vain....
Now having said that, up against the Liturgical Guidelines one can take the ‘grey shades’, such as you mentioned, and present them to the PP etc, with the hope of black and white results in order for you to take an informed decision from there on..eg. you can choose whether to go on or join another form of service/worship in your parish..

In regard to the Funerals, we Maronites normally let the family decide if they want the Mass also, or next day or weekend thereafter .. which ever, Mass is inevitable..

As for the Latin Rite,.. fear not, bring forth your point to the PP's attention and say the truth about what you believe and how you feel regarding leadership roles etc: eg "I believe/feel that leading community prayer as such is best for the Ordained etc and that the contributions themselves specifically point to who is to do the religious services" thats if you have the heart to says so... or Remind him that there are many of the faithful whom are really sensitive to this issue and I do not want to become a stumbling block to the little ones of the Faith as Jesus warns us not to do (Matthew 18:6) or (Romans 14:15) More so, it doesn't make it more appropriate if most of the communities are placid in regard to this manner of serving.. then hear his side 'without interruption' even if you know where he is coming from before he says it..

If all else fails, especially after you speak your mind, you can remain at the service of the community. Consequently, your continual presence in the community of faith gives witness for 'the most praised form of Liturgical Worship' by the Ordained, as you believe God willed..

I will pray my bit from Argentina..