"By means of the funeral rites it has been the practice of the Church, as a tender mother, not simply to commend the dead to God but also to raise high the hope of its children and to give witness to its own faith in the future resurrection of the baptized with Christ."
~ Benno Cardinal Gut, Congregation for Divine Worship (1969)
Experiencing the loss of a loved one, whether or not such a loss was "expected," can be a tumultuous time in one's life. In a time where one's emotions can be difficult to express in words, the rites of the Church can assist families in their time of grief. The Church was born from Jesus' side on the Cross, a time a great suffering. Born from suffering, the Church can provide words and gestures to our emotions when our own seem to fail us. Praying for and burying our beloved departed are sincere acts of spiritual and corporal charity.
The funeral planning process is meant to be an aid and not a burden. While many options are presented to the family in planning a funeral, the family is not obliged to decide each one. Fr. Weber and/or Mark Konewko are happy to provide suggestions.
After your loved one has passed, contact a funeral home. Let the funeral home know that you would like to have funeral services at St. Jude. The funeral home will be the main point of contact in regard to scheduling funeral services here at St. Jude.
Please reach out to Fr. Weber (ext. 225 or frweber@stjudetheapostle.net) in order to notify the parish and to set up a time for him and the family to meet.
The funeral planning sheet is a step-by-step guide to planning the funeral. There is no need to fill out the planning guide in its entirety before meeting with Fr. Weber. But having reviewed it beforehand can be very helpful.
For links to the readings, please see the USCCB website:
Meeting with Fr. Weber allows you to share any important details you would like about your loved one. It is also the meeting where the liturgy details are finalized.
Seasons of Hope
In the days following the funeral liturgy, please consider joining our grief support group. Our "Seasons of Hope" ministry meets regularly providing an oppurtunity for loved ones, no matter how long ago they experienced loss, to share their stories and experiences which not only can help themselves but others on the journey through grief.
734 Glenview Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-258-8821
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