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Saint Elizabeth Seton Staff
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Sacraments |
Sacrament of BaptismPreparation of parents to accept their role as teachers and sharers of the Catholic faith is done on an individual basis by appointment. The Sacrament of Baptism is preferably celebrated during weekend Masses. Adults who wish to become members of the Catholic faith are welcome. Please call the office. Sacrament of EucharistPreparation for first Eucharist is part of the Faith
Development program and is usually received in the third grade.
The Eucharist is reserved in the Reservation Chapel on the northern side
of the worship space. This is a location for private prayer and
devotion. ReconciliationThis Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated as follows: In addition, at least two Reconciliation Prayer Services are celebrated each year, usually during Advent and Lent. Other times for individual reconciliation are available by appointment. ConfirmationHigh School Youth that are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation must attend 10 high school youth program events. The preparation process includes group activities, retreat days, liturgical experiences and service opportunities. Adults seeking the sacrament of Confirmation should contact Fr. Stu Pinette. Sacrament of MatrimonyA preparation period of at least six months is required prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony according to the policy of the Archdiocese of Hartford. The parish staff as well as married couples from our community meet with the engaged as they prepare for marriage and for their wedding ceremony. Those planning for marriage are asked to speak with Fr. Stu as early in the process as possible. Anointing of the SickIn the Beginning…The early Christian
Church prayed for its sick members. Oil, brought by the faithful, was
blessed by the Bishop. Anyone could use or apply the oil in times of
sickness. Today – The Proper Practice…The
Anointing of the Sick may be received by any baptized Catholic who is
dangerously ill and has sufficient use of reason to be comforted by the
sacrament. Children dealing with chronic or serious illness may be
anointed (if they have sufficient use of reason); elderly persons may be
anointed if they are in weak condition although no dangerous illness is
present. Those struggling with mental, emotional illness may seek the
sacrament; persons anticipating serious surgery are candidates for the
sacrament as well. Those who experience severe chronic and/or debilitating
illness are also encouraged to receive the sacrament. The Sacrament is often celebrated communally. At Saint Elizabeth Seton we celebrate the Communal Anointing of the Sick at least twice a year, during the celebration of Sunday Mass. Catholics may also receive the Anointing of the Sick privately with a priest, or with a few loved ones present. The Anointing of the Sick is not required or absolutely essential for a peaceful death. Other pastoral ministers can provide the prayers appropriate at the time of death. So…What are the "Last Rites?" "Last Rites" refers to the reception of Holy Communion by a person near death. It is called "VIATICUM" (food for the journey). It is a beautiful sacrament and can be repeated over several days as the person nears death. It may be administered by any Catholic pastoral minister as well as by the priest. For more information, contact the Church office at (860) 529-3222. Home VisitationWe welcome the opportunity to bring the Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation, an Anointing of the Sick to those who cannot be with the Community because of illness or age. Please call us. Hospital VisitationPlease notify us if you or a member of your family is hospitalized so that we can be with you or your family member during this time. |
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PLANNINGOF A CHRISTIAN FUNERALSaint Elizabeth Seton Church 280 Brook Street Rocky Hill, Connecticut (860) 5293222 ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life." #4, General Introduction Order of Christian Funerals. Why should you make some choices regarding your funeral prior to your death? First, planning now helps you to have your desires and needs met with regard to your funeral as an expression of your faith. Second, such planning help alleviate many concerns and questions which otherwise would fall solely to your survivors in a time of crisis. Third, it allows for the natural, healthy and necessary process of expressing and dealing with grief at the death of a loved one. The Catholic Christian community and its rituals stand as a unique support in times of morning. What is a Catholic Christian funeral? The rites (worship and prayers) take us from the time of serious illness through death, burial and the grieving process for survivors. The Order of Christian Funerals allows us to choose the rites and texts that are most suitable to the situation: those that most closely apply to the mourners, the circumstances of the death and the customs of the local community. The funeral ritual is a celebration and a reminder of our hope in the promise of our resurrection through our Lord Jesus Christ, We believe that, as our faith tells us, "life is changed not ended" In bodily death, and the ritual that we choose for this final celebration of our life on earth should reflect that faith. What are my options? First and foremost, please call Saint Elizabeth Seton Church (5293222) if a member of our parish is near death. The following outlines various elements of the Catholic Order of Christian Funerals: Prayer Service for a Dying Person When a person is at the point of death, his or her family and friends may gather at the bedside and pray this short ritual. This may be prayed with or without a church minister present, If a church minister is present, this person may be ordained or not ordained. What about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at the time of death (formerly known as "Extreme Unction")? This Sacrament should be administered during a person's serious illness which may or may not result in death. If a dying person has not already been anointed, please call the church. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not administered after one has died, however the above referenced prayer service can be celebrated. The Wake Service: Vigil for the Deceased Gathering of the family in the presence of the deceased: This service is for the first time the family gathers in front of the body at the funeral home. This may be led by a member of the family, the funeral director or a representative of the Church. Wake service: A prayer service at the funeral home during the visiting hours, It consists of Scripture readings and prayers. You may choose various options within this rite if you so desire, This is it time when a eulogy can be given and mementos of the deceased person's life may be shared. Funeral Mass This is the liturgical center of the Order of Christian Funerals. The body of the deceased person must be present in the Church for this ritual. The most meaningful celebrations are when the Scripture texts, prayers and musical selections have been chosen beforehand to reflect the life and faith of the person who has died. Your parish community stands ready to help you in this selection process and would be willing to provide lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and other ministers as needed. All selections should empower the full participation of those gathered to celebrate this liturgy in responses and singing. Many symbols are used during the funeral Mass. These include: The Paschal (Easter) Candle speaks to us of Christ's Resurrection: The holy water and pall (white cloth placed on casket) speaks to us of our Baptism; In addition, family members are invited to place on the coffin a religious symbol which was meaningful to the deceased person, such as a crucifix, bible, prayer book or rosary beads to name a few possibilities. "Any national flags or the flags or insignia of associations to which the deceased belong are removed from the coffin at the entrance of the church. They are replaced after the coffin has been taken from the church." # 132, Order of Christian Funerals. Funeral Liturgy Without A Mass This rite, with the body of the deceased person present, may be used for various reasons including when the Funeral Mass is not permitted, namely on solemn feasts including Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday or when for pastoral reasons the pastor and the family judge that the funeral liturgy outside Mass is more suitable form of celebration. This rite normally takes place in the parish church but may also be celebrated in the home of the deceased, a funeral home or cemetery chapel. Selections for prayers and Scripture readings may be made, however this rite includes neither the liturgy of the Eucharist nor the distribution of Eucharist. Burial The Rite of Committal The rite for burial is the conclusion of the funeral rites, celebrated at the grave. It includes prayers and scripture readings which again, may be selected beforehand. In Christ shall all be made alive Additional ConsiderationsCremation Catholics may be cremated, as long as the cremation is not viewed as a denial of the resurrection of the body. It is not permitted for the cremains (ashes) to be present in the church for the funeral Mass or the other rituals except for the Rite of Committal (burial), And, the cremains themselves must be buried, they may not be scattered in keeping with the Church's teaching on the honor due the human body. Memorial Masses If it was not possible to celebrate the Funeral Liturgy, a memorial Mass or service may be celebrated for the deceased person at another time. How do I plan my funeral rites now? Counsel is available from the parish pastoral staff by appointment. Once arrangements have been made, completed selection forms should be filed with the parish and your immediate survivors who will be responsible for your arrangements. The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God's mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis. # 7 Order of Christian Funerals |