Our Consolation Apostolate serves families which are preparing for the funeral of a loved one.
Once a funeral Mass has been arranged in the parish office, ususally by the funeral home, a parishioner of our apostolate meets with the family of the deceased to assist in the selection of Mass readings and funeral music provided from a pre-determined list in our consolation booklet. The family is given the opportunity to choose friends or relatives as lectors for each of the two Mass readings and the prayer of the faithful. If the family cannot provide lectors, the parish will fulfill this role at the funeral Mass. The family also chooses who will bring the gifts of bread and wine to the priest during the funeral Mass. This bread and wine will become the Body & Blood of Christ to be received during the Mass by those who are Catholic and practicing their faith.
The Consolation Apostolate member can meet in the family’s home or in our parish office to offer guidance through the funeral process and to answer any questions. This is a unique apostolate which provides hospitality and comfort to the family during an otherwise stressful time.
In keeping with the Rite of Christian Burial, funerals Masses at St. Francis Xavier must lead to the interment (burial) of the deceased person’s body or cremains in a cemetery, either on the day of the funeral or another day very proximate with the funeral Mass.