Skip to main content
My fellow blogger, Fr. Austin Fleming, has an ongoing discussion on the topic of funeral Masses. It all started when Eunice Shriver passed and Fr. Austin decided to address the issue of Catholic funeral guidelines as set forth by the Church. The spectacle exhibited by the Kennedy family for Ted Kennedy was very much in line with his very large ego. But the conversation on the Concord Pastor (http://concordpastor.blogspot.com/) is very interesting. I am a huge proponent of fairness and I agree that the lavishness of Ted Kennedy's funeral could possibly create an entire new industry, the Mega-Funeral, complete with requisite Funeral Planner. But the fact is that the rules have now been annihilated and the excuse given is that it is up to the discretion of the local pastor. Fr. Austin's comments notwithstanding, the Catholic Church has not done a good job conveying to the observant what we are to expect when we lose a family or friend and must plan a funeral Mass. The limitation on having one person speak for no more than 5 minutes after communion and before the final commendation seems to be very cold. I understand that the focus should always be on Jesus in the form of the Holy Eucharist but the purpose for the Mass is to celebrate the life of the recently departed. In this instance, I think it is time that the Church took a look at the rules and alter them somewhat. A funeral is often a time when friends and family members are attending a Catholic Church for the first time. It is a great opportunity to illustrate everything that is wonderful about living as a Catholic Christian. I think we might be missing an opportunity here to evangelize. What do you think?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woman, Behold Your Son

The spiritual climax of the Gospel of John, as Father John Waiss points out, occurs at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus utters his parting words: “Woman, behold, your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27). While these words were addressed to the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Church has long understood this moment as a universal adoption. To truly image Christ, we must share in His parentage; if we embrace God as our spiritual Father but reject Mary as our mother, we treat Christ as a half-brother rather than our "firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). As Origen noted as early as the third century, the profound depths of the Gospel are only accessible to those who, like John, rest their heads on Jesus’ breast and receive Mary into their own homes. This maternal role is deeply rooted in biblical typology, positioning Mary as the fulfillment of the great mothers of the Old Covenant. She is the New Eve , the mother of all the living according ...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Fisherman to Foremen: Peter’s First Act as Shepherd

In the immediate aftermath of the Ascension, we see a profound transformation in Peter, moving from the impulsive fisherman who once fled in the garden to the courageous shepherd of the early Church. By standing up in the heart of Jerusalem to deliver his first great "sermon" at Pentecost, Peter is not merely offering an inspired speech; he is stepping into the primordial role of the Papacy. He was specifically commissioned by Christ on the shores of Galilee to "feed my sheep," and here we see that nourishment take the form of the Word. He takes control of a frightened and confused community, providing the definitive interpretation of the Resurrection and anchoring the fledgling Church in the truth of the Gospel. This moment in the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the authority of Peter was never about personal power, but about the sacred duty of unity and guidance. By taking the lead in the upper room and before the crowds, Peter demonstrates that the "key...
Post a Comment
Read more