Sunday, July 4th at 7:30pm Family Campfire Singalong in the Churchyard Followed by a walk to the beach for Fireworks
In the days before the metric system of measuring liquids won out of the imperial system and before stores were open 24/7, my dear old Dad would give his sons this bit of sage advice, “Don’t forget to get your fifth for the fourth on the third.” Even without the drink, the Ragans always had fun on the 4th. So, I hope you can join us for a fun time next Sunday evening in the Churchyard at 7:30pm. It will be a family affair but feel free to BYOB.
The construction of the new safe access plaza to our Church will finally begin this week. I had hoped it could have been done during the pandemic shut down, but nothing is easy these days. And access to our Church will definitely not be easy for the next few weeks. You’ll need to come into Church through the Eighth Street entrance. Naturally, this side door entrance is our most tricky. So, be careful and be early. Otherwise, if Mass has already started, I’ll wind up being your greeter as you pass right by my chair. If your late, it might be a better option to sneak into the meeting room through the back sacristy door or watch the simulcast in the rectory carport. Thanks for your patience and understanding. It should be a great improvement when done.
As we move towards the month of July and a new fiscal year, I take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your awesome stewardship of the resources that God has entrusted to you. As you make the first return of your earnings to God through the offertory, you provide the means for our Faith Community to all the better share the Good News of God’s love here on Tybee. Thanks!!
The scripture readings this Sunday afforded an opportunity to reflect on the Mystery of Death and offer some practical considerations when this Mystery comes close to home:
The best situation is to call me while the person is conscious and aware of what is happening. In this way you and your loved one can be consoled by the Church's prayers, scriptural readings, and sacraments.
After Death: If it is possible, call me before the family leaves the body. There are prayers that the Church offers at this time. The prayers are to commend the deceased to the Lord and to console the living.
The normal Catholic Funeral includes a Vigil Service and Visitation, A Mass of Christian Burial, and the Final Commendation at the place of burial.
Traditionally in the Savannah Area the Vigil Service on the night before the Funeral Mass is referred to as a rosary but in fact the Church Ritual that is used is a more ecumenical scriptural "Vigil for the Deceased." A decade of the Rosary reflecting on the Resurrection can be added to the vigil service if the deceased had a strong Marian devotion.
Before your meeting with the funeral director is concluded, the funeral director should call the parish office to finalize the date and time of the funeral, making sure that both I and the church are available and to set up a meeting with me to plan the funeral Mass.
After the Funeral Mass, the body or the cremated remains are usually transported to a cemetery, where there is a formal committal or burial ceremony, presided over by a priest or deacon. In the case of cremation, this may take place at a columbarium or mausoleum.
In a 2016 document, the Vatican asked that the ashes of cremated loved ones not be kept at home, or scattered, or divided among family members, or turned into mementoes.
Taking the Gospel Home: In the Gospel a girl is raised from her deathbed. This action of Jesus prefigures his own resurrection. How does your belief in the Resurrection of Jesus inform your view of the mystery of death? The Book of Wisdom says, “By the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong to his company experience it.” Does this help you define death in any way?