In October of 2016, the Vatican issued a document entitled To Rise with Christ, “regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation.”  The document had become necessary as cremation is increasingly used around the world, along with a rise in beliefs (e.g. Peggy Lee: “If that’s all there is my friends...”) and practices (e.g. splitting up Mom’s cremains into different pieces of jewelry) that are contrary to Catholic doctrine on death, burial, and the afterlife.  The document is not that long and can been found on-line.  It is worth a read as it beautifully expresses our Catholic theology of death and the belief that “the resurrection of Jesus is the culminating truth of the Christian faith.”
 
Section #5 of To Rise with Christ states that “When, for legitimate motives (e.g. for sanitary, economic or social considerations), cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.”   The underlined phrase is where we ran into problems this week.  I was embarrassed to find out that although the proper civil authorities were consulted and gave approval to cremains being buried in our memorial garden, the proper church authorities were never consulted and therefore never gave their permission.  The memorial garden was never dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority as a place to bury cremains.
 
Apparently, the thought in going ahead with the project was that It's better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.  But, I never think it is a good idea ‘to run an end around’ your boss.  I have brief moments when I think it would be wonderful to be a congregational Church like our neighbors next door, the Chapel by the Sea, so that we could make our own decisions about everything.  Wouldn’t it be fun to be Pope of Tybee and only need to consult with Michael Cardinal Beytagh and Carolyn Cardinal Williams on the important matters of our faith community’s relationship with Jesus Christ?  It might be fun for a while but also a potential nightmare.  No, with all its shortcomings I am more than happy to be a minor player in a world-wide communion of over 1 billion believers whose apostolic ministry can be traced back to the very man to whom Jesus said, “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18)
 
Ten or more years ago, I asked Bishop Boland for permission to build a columbarium at Saint Mary on the Hill in Augusta.  He turned me down and I wasn’t quite sure of his reasoning, but I think he had a wider view of things than I did and was concerned that if we had a columbarium, it might upset the balance of power in the Augusta Deanery.  When Saint Teresa’s built a new church, a columbarium was part of the package and two years ago Bishop Hartmayer granted permission to build one at Saint Mary’s, perhaps to maintain a “balance”.  In the Savannah Deanery, I think one of the Bishop’s main concerns is that we already have a Catholic cemetery and columbarium that is not used as much as he’d like it to be.
 
In any event, we have a beautiful prayer garden.  If anyone feels that in buying a memorial brick some sort of “bait and switch” happened, please talk to me.  Needless to say, it was a great disappointment to Helen and the Stevenson family that Phil’s ashes could not be buried in the memorial garden.  They were gracious about it, but I know it was hurtful.  I think it helped that the Bishop talked directly to Fr. Mark Stevenson, Phil and Helen’s son.  Whether it is in the Columbarium at the Catholic Cemetery, or at All Saints, or the Tybee Cemetery, or in some other consecrated ground, I have promised Helen that I’d do everything I can to help her find a place where Phil’s ashes can be buried with dignity and reverence.  Please, keep Helen and her family in your prayers. 
 

• I’ll be at Ignatius House in Atlanta this week, participating in a Retreat for the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests.  I’m grateful to Msgr. Costigan who will celebrate the morning Mass on Tuesday and Wednesday and to Ken Douberly who will conduct a Communion Service on Thursday.  Behave while I’m away.
• I am excited to announce that Katie Gillen is our new Coordinator of Religious Education.  The program will gear up again on February 11^th.
• Excitement is building for Mardi Gras Night at 80e Gastropub on February 13^th.  After our last night out, we had 2 folks return to Sunday Mass on a regular basis and a couple interested in learning more about our faith.  March 13^th St. Michael’s Night out will be at the North Beach Grille.
• A resident at Oceanside Nursing Home needs a ride to the Vigil Mass and perhaps an occasional Daily Mass.  Please see me for details.

 
Fr. Jerry Ragan