Our Lady of Fatima Parish  extends to you our prayerful sympathy during these very difficult days. Be assured of our prayers for you and for your loved one. We offer you the services of the parish staff to arrange a funeral and burial that will prayerfully reflect our confidence in the abundant Mercy of Christ while imploring Him to show that Mercy on your beloved and on all of us.


As the family, you will be asked to help make some of the decisions for the funeral Mass and wake service. This website will hopefully serve as a guide.



Scheduling

The date and time of the funeral Mass and wake service are to be scheduled in consultation with the Pastor and the Funeral Home. This is then communicated to the musicians. Please note, there may be other previously scheduled activities at the Church that need to be taken into consideration. Funerals cannot be held on Sundays, Holy Days or during the Sacred Triduum.


Cremation

In recent years, the Catholic Church has allowed the practice of cremation and has revised the rites for services with cremated remains. While the Church favors cremation after the funeral liturgy, it realizes that financial constraints or other circumstances may result in the desire for cremation before the funeral service. The cremated remains can be brought into the church for the Funeral Mass. Typically, a priest will accompany the cremated remains to the cemetery for committal after the funeral. The Catholic Church encourages treating human remains with dignity and respect therefore the practice of dividing or scattering remains is not a part of Catholic tradition. It is possible to have a picture of the deceased placed in the entrance of the church or near the cremains.


Visiting Priests

Visiting priests are welcome to concelebrate and take part in the Mass at the discretion of the Pastor. All visiting priests must contact the pastor and submit all current credentials from their Arch/Diocese or religious order prior to the funeral ceremony.


The Wake Service

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of keeping vigil for those who have died. It is a time of public prayer that gathers and binds family and friends alike. Normally, the wake will take place at the funeral home the night before the funeral Mass. The priest or deacon will lead the service of Scripture and prayer.


It is possible to wake a loved one at Our Lady of Fatima provided the necessary space is available and other scheduled events are not in conflict. It is still necessary to engage the service of a funeral home. These arrangements must be approved by the Pastor prior to any publication.


Eulogies

The eulogy is not part of the liturgy of the Funeral Mass. If a eulogy is desired, it is done at the Wake Service or after the cemetery prayers. The eulogy should focus on the deceased person’s spiritual and family life and should be very respectful of the person’s memory. Please contact the pastor for additional information.


Stipends/Offerings

Money should not be the determining factor in providing a funeral. However, you should make arrangements with your funeral director for some customary offerings to assist us with the costs associated with the funeral service and maintenance of our church. Please contact our office for more information.


Mass Program Booklets

Our parish staff will be glad to assist you in developing and printing a program. We ask that you give them adequate time to prepare and copy a program. Pictures can be scanned and sent to ourlady229@gmail.com. You are also free to develop your own program. We ask that all programs be approved prior to printing and that all copyright laws must be followed.


Memorial Offerings

If you would like to honor your loved one by donations to the parish in lieu of flowers, please ask that contributions be made to the Our Lady of Fatima Memorial fund. Please contact our office for more information. Individual purchase of memorial vessels and vestments should be coordinated through our office to avoid duplications.


Mass Intentions

Masses for the intention of the deceased may be requested through the Parish Office. Mass dates are not always available, but you can offer a Memorial candle to be announced and burned in the church for a specified week.


The Funeral Mass

The Catholic Mass is a time spent focusing on the redemptive act of Christ as he willingly dies upon the cross for us. In the funeral Mass, we earnestly pray that our beloved dead might participate in the heavenly glory of Christ’s resurrection. It is a time of personal encounter with Jesus Christ, who says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28).


Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist

Family members or friends who are commissioned Ministers are welcome to serve. Please speak with the presiding priest prior to the service to make them aware. 


The Funeral Liturgy at a Glance: 


Introductory Rites

  • Greeting at the entrance of the Church
  • Sprinkling with Holy Water and Placing of the Funeral Pall
  • Procession to the Altar
  • Opening Prayer


Liturgy of the Word

  • First Reading (Old Testament most of the year)
  • Responsorial Psalm
  • Second Reading
  • Gospel Acclamation
  • Gospel Reading
  • Homily
  • General Intercessions


Liturgy of the Eucharist

  • Preparation of the Gifts
  • Eucharistic Prayer and Acclamations
  • The Lord’s Prayer
  • Sign of Peace
  • Communion


Final Commendation

  • Invitation to Prayer
  • Song of Farewell
  • Prayer of Commendation
  • Procession to the Place of Committal

 

Scripture Selections

There are numerous selections to choose from in the planning guide “Through Death to Life” which we will provide you. The liturgy usually contains readings from: the Old Testament, the Responsorial Psalm (usually song), the New Testament and The Gospel. You may choose the reading or if you desire, the priest can assist you.  You can also select readers for the Testament readings and the Prayers of the Faithful or the priest can assist you. (Please see the Reading selections at the bottom of this form and fill in your choices on the Funeral Planning guide).


Music Selections

Some possible appropriate music choices for the funeral Mass are included on this page. Choices should be God-centered. Favorite songs may have special significance or meaning but are secular in nature and not appropriate for the Mass. Our Music Director or a substitute will be available to advise. A professional Cantor can also be made available.


Presentation of the Gifts

Immediately following the Prayers of the Faithful, two gift bearers are usually asked to bring up the gifts (unconsecrated bread and wine).


Place of Burial

Your Funeral Director will help you make all plans for the burial of your loved one.


Refreshments or Luncheon

Depending on the family’s wishes and the availability, a luncheon can be made available in the parish hall. Please see the link to the Luncheon/Reception guide on this page. Our ministers can assist you in planning this portion of the ceremony. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.


Bereavement Group

The members of the Parish Staff extend their prayers and sympathy to you and your family during this time of sorrow. In the days and months that follow, please know that the staff is available for visits, prayer, and grief resources. Various reading materials and support groups are available, please see the bereavement group link on this page. As we go forward on our journey of life, may we comfort one another with our faith in Jesus Christ.

 


READING SELECTIONS
Our parish uses the book: Through Death to Life: Preparing to Celebrate the Funeral Mass. We will provide you with a copy of this book. This posting lists the readings that are found in that book without text. You can look these text up in a bible; however for the mass we prefer using the text in this book. 


Liturgy of the Word (Please list letter and number choice on planning guide)

First Reading Outside Easter Time (Old Testament)

C1 – 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.

C2- Job 19:1,23-27a I know that my Vindicator lives.

C3 – Wisdom 3:1-9 or 3:1-6,9 As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

C4 – Wisdom 4:7-15An unsullied life, the attainment of old age.

C5- Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9

C6 – Lamentations 3:17-26 It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord

C7 – Daniel 12:1-3 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.


First Reading during Easter Time (New Testament)

C8 – Acts 10:34-43 or 10:34-36,42-42 He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

C9 – Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

C10 – Revelation 20:11 -21:1 The dead were judged according to their deeds.

C11 – Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7 There shall be no more death


Responsorial Psalm

D1 – Psalm 23:1-3,4, 5, 6 – The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want 

D2 – Palm 25:6 and 7b, 17-18, 20-21 To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

D3 – Psalm 27:1, 4,7 and 8b and 9a, 13-14 The Lord is my light and salvation

D4 – Psalm 42:2,3,5cdef; 43:3,4,5 My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?

D5 – Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 My Soul is thirst for you, O Lord my God.

D6 – Psalm 103:8 and 10, 13-18 The Lord is kind and merciful.

D7 – Psalm 116:5, 6, 10-11, 15-16ac I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

D8 – Psalm 122: 1-2, 4-9 I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord.

D9 – Psalm 130:1-8 Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.

D10 – Psalm 143: 1-2,5-8ab, 10 O Lord, hear my prayer.

 

Second Reading

E1 – Romans 5:5-11 Since we are now justified by His Blood, we will be saved through him form the wrath

E2 – Romans 5:17-21 Where sin increase, grace overflowed all the more.

E3 – Roman 6:3-9 or 6:3-4,8-9 We too might live in newness of life

E4 – Romans 8:14-23 We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

E5 – Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 What will separate us from the love of Christ?

E6 – Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

E7 – 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 or 15:20-23 So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.

E8 – 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Death is swallowed up in victory.

E9 - 2 Corinthians 4:14 5:1 What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal

E10 - 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 “We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.”

E11 - Philippians 3:20-21 “Our citizenship is in heaven.”

E12 – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest who have no hope.”

E13 - 2 Timothy 2:8-13 If we have died with him we shall also live with him.

E14 - 1 John 3:1-2 We shall see him as he is.

E15 - 1 John 3:14-16 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.


GOSPEL 

The Gospel is always proclaimed by the priest or deacon and will be chosen by the priest. 


Click the links below to download the documents.


Funeral Planning Worksheet (new 12/04/23)


Funeral Reception/Luncheon Form (rev. 6/25/24)


Bereavement Support Group (under Service Ministries)

Click the links below for detailed recommendations from the Diocese of Bridgeport.


For suggested Readings, click here.


For suggested Hymns, click here.


For Words of Comfort, click here.


For information on Cremation, click here.


For a list of Intercessions, click here.