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Funerals

 

PREPARING FOR FUNERAL

  1. Contact the St. Theresa Parish office @ 337-783-1880.
  2. Make an appointment to meet with the priest.
  3. Set a service date and time.
  4. Follow the instructions in the packet from the church secretary or church Funeral Coordinator.
  5. Refer any questions to the priest through the parish secretary.
  6. Funeral lectors who will be reading at the mass and family members who will participate in placing the pall should make arrangements to meet with the church funeral coordinator the day before the funeral so that she may instruct them on the order of the service.
  7. The funeral package consists of:

ORDER OF FUNERAL MASS

Processional Hymn

Opening Prayer---------------------Priest

Placing of Pall, Cross, & Bible

First Reading------Old Testament

Second Reading------New Testament

Gospel/Homily----------------------Priest

Prayer of the Faithful

Offertory Selection (hymn)

Eucharistic Prayer-----------------Priest

Communion Selections (hymn)

Meditation Selection (song)

Concluding Rite----------------------Priest

Recessional Hymn

FRONT COVER OF THE PROGRAM

CHURCH NAME: St. Theresa Catholic Church

ADDRESS: 417 W 3RD ST

CITY: Crowley, LA 70526

PRIEST: Rev. Mark Odoguje, Pastor

8. THE FUNERAL SERVICE

  • Wake Service:  Visitation: 8.00 am.
  • Funeral Mass is usually at 10:00 am.

THE MASS MUST BE CELEBRATED ON THE SAME DAY AS THE WAKE SERVICE IF THE WAKE IS IN THE CHURCH.

  • RECOMMENDED STIPEND IS $300.00

NOTE:

In our effort to keep everyone safe, all present at the funeral services will be required to wear a mask.

  • All church fees are due in the parish office no less than twenty-four hours before the funeral mass. Church fees are applied directly to the church expense (for example, utilities, etc.
  • Although families may elect to give the priest a stipend, they do not charge for funeral services. However, gifts are greatly appreciated.
  • Every family must come to the church office before setting a date for a funeral. The church calendar of events determines date availability. Scheduled events are not changed to accommodate funeral services.
  •  Funeral lectors- family members and friends (must be Catholics) who wish to read at the funeral mass must follow the liturgical minister dress code (females: must wear a dress with knee length hem or longer; no sleeveless dresses and no low-cut neckline. Ladies are encouraged to wear -stockings and closed-toe shoes.
  • Men are to wear slacks, shirts, and ties. Men are encouraged to wear suits.
  • All lectors are given a copy of the readings before the funeral.
  • Readers are never to approach the altar with items in their hands.
  • They are to read from the lectionary, not copies of the readings.
  • Readers should always process with the priest and liturgical ministers.
  1. HALL USAGE-
  • Families preparing for funerals are invited to use the parish hall for a reception if the hall is available.
  • The stipend for hall usage for funerals held at the church is $300.00 to cover the cost of utilities. A deposit of $100.00 is also required if the hall is not cleaned after the funeral.
  • The hall will be available to the family from 9:00 am-2:00 pm on the funeral day.
  • Items are not to be brought to the hall before 9:00 am the morning of the funeral (notify your reception coordinator).
  • Food may be warmed in the hall kitchen but not prepared due to insurance regulations.
  • The family must provide all supplies for the reception. The church will provide the kitchen, stove and oven, tables, and chairs to accommodate up to 145 guests.
  • The family or its designee is responsible for removing trash from the building and straightening tables and chairs before leaving.
  • Due to the substantial discount given for funeral rentals, the church does not provide refunds due to a change in circumstances that are beyond our control.
  1. FUNERAL MUSIC PROCEDURE
  • You are being given this information because you have contacted the church office staff to arrange a Catholic Christian funeral service. This document includes essential information about the music for your service.
  • Theresa catholic church has designated the church musicians to coordinate music for all funeral services. The family contacts the musicians. They will coordinate the music (including song selection) with you.
  • Other musicians will not be allowed to use the church instruments. This document will detail church policies.
  • The musicians determine the fee. The fee, if any, is payable to the musician no later than 24hrs before the service unless the musician makes other arrangements.
  • The musician should be contacted when you have finalized the funeral plans with the church office. The musician assigned to your service, while assisting you with song selections, will have the final word on selected songs.
  • The funeral mass has six parts. The music must be suitable for a Christian burial.

The  music parts are:

  • The processional song: ____________________
  • The responsorial psalm: (should be sung, but may be read)
  • The gospel acclamation: (always sung-no option)
  • The offertory song: ______________________________
  • The communion hymn: ____________________________
  • The mediation hymn: (the only place for a solo) _________________

The mediation hymn should be uplifting and directly connected to the relationship between God and the believer. It should be sung to uplift the surviving family members and church body. It should magnify the presence of Christ.The soloist chosen must know the song selected. Musicians may implement additional fees for extra rehearsals with the soloist.

  • Recessional song: ___________________________

         Tapes, CDs, or other prerecorded music are not allowed during mass.