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. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Order of Christian Funerals, No. 4

A Catholic funeral liturgy celebrates the Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ and how, through Baptism, the deceased shares in the Life of Christ. It is one of the most important events a Catholic community celebrates in a person’s life. Volunteers minister to those grieving the loss of a loved one by extending compassion and friendship to the family and mourners before and after the funeral liturgy, attending and assisting at funerals and memorial Masses, and seeing that the needs of the family are met while within Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church. When a member of our Parish reaches the end of life, sympathies to the bereaved family are extended through the Bereavement Ministry.

The purpose of the Bereavement Ministry is to represent the compassionate and caring people of the Saint Joan of Arc Parish community to the family and friends of the deceased and to bring a spiritual presence and hope to the bereaved so that those who are mourning the death of a loved one may know the comfort of God through our Parish.The goal of the Bereavement Ministry is to assist those who have experienced the death of a loved one, providing them with empathy and compassion and assisting them through the celebration of the Holy Mass of Christian Burial.

Support is provided to families in planning the Funeral Mass and could possibly include joining in prayer during a visitation or wake service and liturgical assistance with the Rite of Committal. If you are a person of great compassion and empathy, please consider joiningand you are welcome to contact John T. Bryant, III (757) 898-1730; via email johnbryantiii@cox.net.