The Ministry of Consolation has assumed some tasks a Sacristan did in years past. All you should have to do is CONFIRM the tasks are complete.
Refer to the set-up for a weekday Mass guidelines. Typically there will be only one EMHC on a weekday, the Altar Server; however you should assess if another one or two are needed. (The MoC ministers are also EMHCs. Do not set-up cups for the Precious Blood. There typically will not be EMHCs for the Precious Blood.)
Refer to the funeral’s Family Choices Form. If an offertory procession, set-up the wine pitcher and Presider’s host in the Presider’s ciborium on the table near the Baptismal Font, as you would for a weekend Mass. Cover both with a cloth. Be at the table to hand over the gifts when the family members come to the table to start the procession.
If no offertory procession, set-up the credence table as you would for a weekday mass; IF NEEDED, place additional ciboria.
After estimating the Hosts in the Tabernacle, complete the count for hosts as you would for a normal weekday Mass. If this is a large funeral guess the percentage of those receiving Holy Communion. Determine if you need to add hosts. Use your good judgement and be comfortable with your decision.
*CONFIRM – The Paschal candle is in its marked spot on the left side bottom step of the Altar.
Light all candles 30 minutes prior.
*CONFIRM – If cremains place cremains table at center of altar steps.
Place the Holy Water pot & aspergillum (wand) near the baptismal font.
IF A CASKET, place the pall on the back of the last right side middle pew.
Confirm there is incense in the incense boat (cup) with spoon. Load the thurible (metal censer) with charcoal and light the charcoal 10 minutes prior to Mass start. Place the two glass ‘holders’, one with 3-4 larger broken pieces of charcoal and one with a folded wet paper towel on the table near the lectern. The extra charcoal is added to the thurible by the Altar Server or MoC during Communion.
*CONFIRM – Reserved pew signs are in place.
*CONFIRM – You have an Altar Server, and Lector if the family is not reading.In addition to normal Presider assistance, set out the Roman Missal and Order Of Christian Funerals (black) book.The Altar Server should process and recess with the Processional Crucifix and, IF NEEDED, for the offertory procession.A MEMORIAL MASS utilizes Funeral Mass liturgy but without a body or cremains. Incense is not used, and there is no incensing hymn. Follow the normal Weekday Mass guidelines and refer to the MoC Memorial Mass guidelines.*COORDINATE WITH MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION GUIDELINES , BELOW2 of 6St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora, FLMoC SET-UP FOR A FUNERAL MASS……..11/4/2023(If a Memorial Mass, please see the Memorial Mass Guidelines.)Arrive at the Church approximately one hour before the Mass. (Ask the family members involved in the Mass (carrying cremains, reading, carrying gifts, placing pall) to arrive one-half hour early for instructions.)A maximum of three flower arrangements on the altar. All others should be placed in the Gathering Space. Flowers should not “be placed on or around the casket during the Funeral Mass.” (OCF, p. 3).During the Easter season, the Paschal Candle remains near the pulpit. If outside of the season, place the Paschal Candle on the ‘X’ marked spot in front of the altar steps, slightly to the left of center.If cremains, center the table from sacristy closet in front of the altar steps.If cremains, max of one (small) flower vase and one (8×10 max) photo on the cremains table.Place the selected Old and New Testament readings in the 3 ring binder, familiarize the readers, and place the book on the lectern.The podium normally used for the Parish Book of Intercessions is used for the guest-sign-in book. Set aside the Book of Intercessions then place the podium in the Gathering Space.Place the identified/labeled table cloth from the Ministry Room closet on the Gathering Space desk. Place the sympathy card basket on the Gathering Space desk/table. If needed, photo stands are in the MoC cabinet and easels are in the kitchen closet.3 of 6Place the “Welcome to my Kingdom” banner near the oils cabinet (on the left side wall, facing altar, of the baptismal font). It is stored in the Ministry Room next to the MoC cabinet.Place the “Reserved” signs on the indicated number of left-front pews. Place two boxes of tissues in each reserved pew.Confirm there is incense in the incense boat (cup) with spoon. Load the thurible (metal censer) with charcoal and light the charcoal 10 minutes prior to Mass start. Place the two glass ‘holders’, one with 3-4 larger broken pieces of charcoal and one with a folded wet paper towel on the table near the lectern. The extra charcoal is added to the thurible by the Altar Server or MoC during Communion.The Sacristan will place the pall over the right-back pew.The Sacristan will place the Holy Water pot & aspergillum (wand) near the Baptismal Font.If cremains, the table behind the Baptismal font should be moved and centered behind the last two center pews, in view of the camera. Place the crocheted table runner from the Ministry Room closet on the table. The cremains are placed on that table prior to funeral start.Cremains may be processed, behind the Presider, by a family member and placed on the table at the foot of the altar. If they are processed, they are also recessed by the family member and placed back on the table for a final Holy Water sprinkling. If the family does not wish to carry, the cremains should be carried by a Deacon or a MoC Minister.Prior to Communion, following the “Lord I am not worthy…”, the MoC Minister will make the “We welcome each and every one of you at the Lord’s table…..” announcement (Kept in the 3-ring binder.) from the lectern.Military Funerals (OCF, p. 11): “At the entrance to the church, before beginning the liturgy, the U.S. flag should be removed by either the honor guard or the funeral director. The flag, simply folded, may be given to the honor guard, funeral director or family member to safeguard during the4 of 6liturgy. If there are military pallbearers, according to military custom, they will be in full uniform, including headgear, until seated. Following the Final Commendation, when the casket is being readied to be carried from the church, the funeral pall is removed by the family or funeral director, and the U.S. flag is once again draped over the casket by the funeral director or the honor guard.”After the funeral, please remove/replace/return items to their normal storage places (where you found them). Thank you.5 of 6St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora, FLMoC MEMORIAL MASS GUIDELINES 11/4/2023A Memorial Mass follows the normal Order of Mass with the exception of the family recessing behind the Presider.* Obtain approval for the Memorial Mass from the Pastor.Then…..* No gathering of the family at the Baptismal Font. The family is seatedbefore the procession.* No incense unless the Church’s season calls for it. There is no IncensingHymn because there is no body or cremains.* No table for a photo or flower vase at the foot of the Altar steps. Photos,posters, and guest book may be placed in the Gathering Space.* The Paschal candle is only used during the Easter Season, placed as itwould be for that season’s Mass.* The Prayers to the Faithful and Gospel reading are both taken from theOrder of Christian Funerals book.* The family may recess following the Presider.6 of 6