The Resurrection Choir is a
vital part of our Parish Bereavement Ministry, singing for around 100 funeral Masses each year. In reality, this is
our most active Music Ministry averaging nearly 2 masses each and every week throughout the year. The Resurrection Choir
is really all about Ministry - providing comforting music for Parishioners, family and friends at the time when they really
need it the most.
This Ministry is not for everyone - it takes a special kind of person to offer the level of understanding and compassion
needed to support others at their hour of greatest need. If you believe that you can offer your time and talent to this
most worthwhile of Ministries, please notify Norm Chapman or the Rectory office at (412) 241-1372 and ask to be added to the
Resurrection Choir phone list.
Here's how it works: When a funeral is scheduled, the rectory office contacts our Volunteer Caller, who in turn, calls
the singers. All those whose schedule permits arrive in the church balcony (all three churches) about 10 minutes before
the funeral is to begin. Last minute instructions are given and a hymn list is provided. We have very few rehearsals,
and they are usually scheduled to coincide with the funerals.
Below are links to
several local Funeral Homes
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Music for Funerals at Word of God is selected by the family and friends of the deceased. When our Rectory is notified of a death
in our Parish, the Funeral Home is sent a Funeral Liturgy Planning Sheet, which offers guidance in selecting readings and
music for the Funeral Mass.
The family is invited to select two readings, the Responsorial Psalm and three hymns for the Mass. Croatian
hymns are available for Masses at St. Mary's. Upon completion, the Planning Sheet is faxed to the Rectory and forwarded
to the Priest and Director of Music for incorporation into the Funeral Liturgy.
Special Requests should be made as far in advance as possible to allow for adequate preparation time for those involved.
Family members will want to remember that secular music is not appropriate
for the Mass. We also suggest that families give
considerable thought before asking children to provide music for the Mass. Sometimes, the combined stress of the funeral itself
and the need to "perform" before family and friends is very difficult for the children to handle.
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