Bethany Ministries

A Collaboration of Bereavement and Consolation Ministries

These ministries strive to share Christ’s love with those who are grieving the loss of a loved one by:

• assisting, as needed, in the preparations for the funeral liturgies,
• serving as ministers at the funeral liturgies,
• providing immediate and on-going support and friendship.

Formed by the Gospel

The name for this ministry comes to us from the gospel of John.   In the story of the raising of Lazarus (John11:1-26) we learn that Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha live in Bethany.  Jesus travels to Bethany and is greeted by Mary and Martha who inform Jesus that Lazarus has died.  Mary and Martha are mourning along with their friends.  Mary and Martha place their trust in the Lord.  They take him Lazarus’ place of burial and Jesus restores Lazarus to life.  This gospel text reminds us that we called to provide care and comfort for those mourning and place our trust in the Lord, who is “the resurrection and the life.”

Rooted in the Prayer Life of the Church

The Order of Christian Funerals, the official ritual of the Church, reminds us that through the waters of baptism and being nourished at the Eucharistic table, we are responsible for one another.  When a member of the Body of Christ dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation.  The Church calls each member of Christ’s body to participate by caring for the dying, to pray for the dead and to comfort those who mourn. (OCF 8)

People of Faith; Consoling in Faith

IMMEDIATE CARE AND CONCERN

Companions

Companions minister in the name of the parish and assist the family through the funeral and grieving process. They have been trained and formed to walk through the funeral process and serve as a liaison between the family, the parish and others.  They provide support and information.  Companions help make necessary connections and on-going support by remaining in contact with the family throughout the first year.

Depending on the needs of the family, Companions might: Visit the family at the time of death or shortly after, accompany the family to the funeral home and assist with making arrangements, assist in preparation for the funeral liturgies, be present at all of the liturgies associated with the funeral, make follow up telephone calls and visits, keep in touch with the family.

Liturgical Ministries

Assembly:     The gathering of the baptized to offer support for the family and to represent the community of faith.  Members of the parish are invited to participate in funeral liturgies for these are not private affairs but the work of the church and a corporal work of mercy.

Hospitality:   These ministers are called to welcome those who have come to pray and to create a hospitable environment for the entire community.  They assist with preparation of the church, seating, distribution of worship aids, answering questions of the community gathered.

Reader:       It is the task of the Church to minister to the family, ministers proclaim the

word of God at the liturgies associated with funerals—vigil (wake), funeral liturgy, and possibly at the committal (burial).

Communion Minister:     At Mass, these ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the people of God (the Body of Christ gathered together).

Altar Server/Assisting Minster:   These ministers assist at the Eucharistic table and assist the presiding minister.  They carry the cross and incense, lead the processions, hold the ritual books, and prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Choir Member:  Our Church’s prayer is meant to be sung.  Choir members assist the

community in prayer, particularly when the community is unfamiliar with the way Catholic’s pray.  This choir has no formal rehearsal or training.  They rehearse shortly before the liturgy.

Leader of Prayer:     These ministers may be called upon to lead various parts of the funeral liturgy, for example the rosary, the liturgy of the Word at the Vigil, or lead the committal service.

Preparations for Liturgies

Office Assistance:   For each funeral at Saint Patrick, a worship aid is printed so that the assembly may participate more actively.  Office assistance is needed: to design the worship (usually a pre-formatted template), to copy worship aids, to collate and staple them.

Sacristan:  This liturgical minister prepares for the liturgies to be celebrated by setting up (preparing vessels, ritual texts, and the worship space—placing of the Easter candle, the Pall, and other tables/arrangements that need to be placed.) and then puts these liturgical items away and secures the church building following the liturgy.

Samaritans

These ministers continue the long standing tradition in our parish of providing a meal or reception in our Social Hall for the family and friends of the deceased following the liturgy.  This allows the family to be free from the tasks of preparing for guests and allowing them to spend time with those gathered.  There are several tasks of this ministry: making phone calls to provide food, providing food, setting up, cleaning up, and being hospitable to those who are there for the meal.

NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE

Commemoration of All Souls

In the Catholic tradition, November is known as the month of All Souls.  The month begins with the great feast of All Saints and continues the next day with the Commemoration of All Souls.  On November 2, those who have experienced the loss of a loved one will be invited to a special prayer time (Evening Prayer or a Celebration of Eucharist) followed by a time of story-telling, fellowship and a reception.  Ministers are needed to help prepare the liturgy and to help with the reception.

Marked with the Sign of Faith

Each year the parish is invited to bring pictures of their deceased loved ones to Church to put on display for the month of November.  These pictures remind us of those who have “gone before us marked with the sign of faith” and for the community to keep them in prayer.  Ministers are needed to invite the parish to bring pictures to the Church (publicity), set up the display, maintain it and take it down (making sure all the pictures have been returned to the family/friends.)  These ministers also have the responsibility to remember in prayer those who are pictured in the display.

ON-GOING SUPPORT

Lean on Me

LEAN ON ME is a support circle that has been formed to provide support, friendship and opportunities for widows and widowers of the parish.   Meetings are scheduled the first Saturday of each month.  Those participating in LEAN ON ME are encouraged to come to the 9:00 AM Mass to pray together and then gather in the Church Office for a brief focus meeting. Afterward spend some time together sharing experiences, concerns, ideas, and needs in a safe and informal environment.

Directory of Resources

A list of community resources has been prepared to help those who are experiencing loss.  This directory has support groups and agency that care for the bereaved.

Educational Programs

Several times a year programs are offered for advance planning of funeral liturgies and as well as other programs related to death, resurrection and consolation.  These programs are advertised in the parish bulletin.

Columbarium

Advisory Committee:    This committee oversees the guidelines and policies concerning the columbarium.

Care-takers:  This is a group of gardeners and those who seek to keep the area around the columbarium a place of prayer and reverence.  These stewards of the environment show their respect for those who have died and their family and friends caring for this tranquil place of rest.

Leadership

Advisory Group:    This group provides opportunities to evaluate the ministries, to express concerns and needs that may arise, give insight to the good work that is done and continues to pray for the ministries, ministers and especially those who have died and their loved ones.

Ministry Team Leaders:     As with any group, there is a need for coordination and leadership, each particular ministry needs help organizing and carrying out the work.  Each ministry will have one or two people to help in that effort.

For more information, please contact:

Joe Long at  910- 323-2410 x112 or joelong@stpatnc.org