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Contact Us
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Deacon Ray Garbachray.garbachdor.orgPastoral Associate -
Cathy.Kampsjcpenfield.comPastoral Associate/Co-Administrator, Co-Director Penfield Hope, RCIA -
Fr. Mike Merrittfr.michael.merrittdor.orgParochial Vicar
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We are here to assist you in any way with funerals at Holy Spirit or St. Joseph's. Please know that your family and loved ones are in our prayers, especially at this time.
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funeral preparation materials
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Frequently Asked Questions
Livestreaming the Mass
If you wish us to livestream the mass for relatives and friends who aren't able to be with us, we are happy to do that for you. The mass will also be available to upload following the liturgy. There is a rare occurrence of our equipment malfunctioning.
Words of Remembrance (formerly, the Eulogy)
If you wish to have someone offer personal remarks, you may wish to think about doing this at the end of the Calling Hours at the Funeral Home. If you decide to share a few words at Church, one person may speak briefly [up to 3 minutes] after the Gathering Song at the beginning of the Mass. Please see guidelines for preparing Words of Remembrance.
Scripture Readings & Readers
Please select Readings for the liturgy from “Through Death To Life” booklet provided to you, the online scripture choice document, or directly from the Bible. Please also select any family members and/or friends who may wish to read them at the funeral. The Old and New Testament Readings and the Prayer of the Faithful will be placed in a book on the lectern for their convenience. We will provide copies of the readings to you in advance of the Mass via email.
Music
Please use the Hymnal to choose appropriate liturgical hymns for the funeral Mass. There is a page of suggestions in this packet, if you need it. All music is located on services such as YouTube if you'd like to hear them ahead of choosing. Occasionally, there may be a song that is not known to our music ministers and we may need to substitute a song, but we will notify you if this happens.
Musicians
We provide you with a parish organist/pianist and a cantor/song leader. Their stipends are paid to the church through the funeral home (if applicable) and we will take care of payment of these stipends to the musicians. They will lead you in song through the funeral liturgy. If you wish to have someone sing one special song or solo, please let us know well ahead of time so that they may join our ministers of music.
Returning the Funeral Planning Sheet
Your assigned staff member is available to meet with you to review your final selections on the planning sheet, and to answer any questions. Please contact them or the Pastoral Office to schedule a time. If you prefer, you can return your sheet by scanning/taking a picture of and texting/emailing to your assigned pastoral staff member or in-person to the Pastoral Offices, 43 Gebhardt Road, weekdays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.- after hours in the large brown mailbox outside of the building.
May you know the presence of God in this time of need and always
Holy Spirit & St. Joseph’s Pastoral Staff