Vision: The Bereavement and Pastoral Care Committee seeks to be a presence to the suffering/grieving family when there is serious illness or a death in our parish communities.

Purpose: The Bereavement/Pastoral Care Committee provides the following services: offers condolences to the family on behalf of the pastor and the parishioners; a visit to a grieving family the day after a death; help with planning the funeral liturgy; answers to questions and availability for any help that is required.

Pastoral Care has been added to this committee.

Bereavement & Pastoral Care:

St. Joseph’s

– Helen Gillis, Rosita Gillis, Marie MacNeil, Mary MacNeil

St. Michael’s

– Helena Chiasson, Elaine LeBlanc, Odette LeBlanc, Dorothy MacKenzie

St. Patrick’s

– Sheila Fortune, Kay Hannigan, Cindy & John McBride, Cecile Miller

Tasks:

The day after someone dies, two of the members of the committee in the parish where there is a death will go to visit the family.  They will offer words of condolence, and offer a brochure with all the details to be attended to – readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altars servers, suggestions for music, etc.  The family will meet with the Pastor to discuss the readings and talk about the deceased, and also;

Be available if the family has any other questions, or requests before the funeral;
Attend either the vigil or a prayer service at the visitation.  Lead the vigil or prayer service if the pastor is absent;
Send a card to the family on the first anniversary of the death of a loved one:
Prepare vigil and prayer services to be used in the absence of the pastor;
Prepare a brochure to be used when visiting the grieving family; and
Prepare a list of appropriate music for funeral liturgies;

Binders were prepared with vigil prayer services; and it was decided that the vigil would incorporate prayers by CWL, Knights of Columbus, firemen, etc., so there would be one prayer service instead of many.  A co-ordinator for each parish was chosen.
All members of the committee received a copy of the books Sacred Scripture Selections for a Funeral Liturgy and Related Rites from the Order of Christian Funerals; and
Families have expressed their sincere appreciation of the work of the committee during their bereavement.

If you would like more information about this Ministry; or, would like to volunteer services – please contact us using the following link: contact us