On behalf of the staff and parish of St. Wenceslaus Parish, we extend our deepest sympathies on the passing of your loved one. Our pastoral staff stands ready to assist in planning a worthy celebration of the Rite of Christian Funeral.
“Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.” (Order of Christian Funerals, 5).
The procedures/protocols in this letter are intended to balance the needs of families, the limited staff with which we have to work, the sacred character of the blessed and dedicated church, and the many groups on our campus who make use of our Church facilities for worship and various programs.
What are my options for a Funeral at St. Wenceslaus, St. John the Evangelist, and St. Scholastica?
Funeral Masses are only allowed in church. Funeral liturgies without Mass (not a Celebration of Life) may be held in the church or at the Funeral Home.
If you are expecting a very small funeral, please don’t let the size of our church overwhelm you. The Funeral Liturgy and prayers are quite beautiful whether there are a few gathered together in Christ’s name or several hundred. We also have the option of either of our 2 Churches, St. John or St. Scholastica, which are smaller and more intimate for your use.
Funeral liturgies without a Mass are available for pastoral reasons either in the church or at the funeral home. Please talk with the Pastor or Pastoral Minister for assistance in making this decision.
Who may have their Funeral Liturgy at St. Wenceslaus?
A funeral for any deceased member of the Catholic faithful is generally celebrated in his or her parish church. Registered members of St. Wenceslaus have the right to Christian Burial through any of our three churches.
The decision to allow funerals for non-parishioners to take place at St. Wenceslaus belongs to the Pastor of St. Wenceslaus and requires both his consent and notification to the deceased’s proper Pastor.
Non-Catholic burial services are generally not allowed except in extreme circumstances and after the pastor has consulted with the Archbishop and his staff.
Guest Priest/Deacon.
Guest priests with faculties for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are always welcome to preside or concelebrate at a funeral Mass but must be arranged directly by the family with the knowledge and consent of the pastor. Priests from outside the Archdiocese may preside or concelebrate as long as the proper Letter of Good Standing is provided through the Chancery Office.
Wakes, Flowers, Memorials.
Wakes (visitation) may take place for one hour before the Funeral Liturgy. Anyone considering a wake longer than that time frame must utilize a funeral home service. Visitation will occur at the back of church where the memorabilia is located so a proper attitude of prayer may be maintained near the sanctuary where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Tabernacle.
A limited number of floral arrangements may be placed on the steps of the altar surrounding the casket or urn. Flower arrangements may be left for use in the church at the discretion of the family as a temporary memorial to the deceased. Floral arrangements may not be left in the church during the Lenten season. Again, anyone considering a wake/visitation longer than the one-hour time frame must utilize a funeral home service.
Funerals without a Funeral Director (e.g. Cremation Society of America, etc.).
Our Parish Pastoral Ministry Department is staffed presuming that funeral directors are available and used by the families. If the family of the deceased is not using a funeral home/director with the funeral arrangements, St. Wenceslaus Parish only provides the same services as we would when a funeral director is used; Liturgy Planning, Funeral Rites, and Burial Rites. All other set-up/preparation is provided by the family. We highly recommend the use of a funeral director. Contact our Pastoral Ministry Office for information on who might be able to provide this service for you.
Interment of Body or Cremated Remains
Out of our respect for the human body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church does not provide the Funeral Mass or Liturgy Without Mass unless a date for the interment of remains has been set within a reasonable amount of time after the Mass or Liturgy.
Liturgy of the Word
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's Kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. A careful selection and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family and the community with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. (Order of Christian Funerals, no 22-23).
Music Liturgy
Music has the power to console and uplift mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. “The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.” (Order of Christian Funerals, 30). Funeral music should be intimately linked to the liturgical action and possess the qualities of prayer, dignity, and beauty.
Contact Information
MaryCarol Wolf
Pastoral Minister
[email protected]
952-758-0463
Mary Bender
Pastoral Minister
[email protected]
952-758-0470
Debbie Gregor
Director of Liturgical Music
[email protected]
952-758-4207
Bruzek Funeral Home
Steve & Mary Frost
610 Main Street East New Prague, MN 56071
www.bruzekfuneralhome.com
952-758-4949