The Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Reliquaries of Saints

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1 The Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Reliquaries of Saints Supplement to the Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, October 20, 2017

2 2 CATHOLIC CEMETERIES Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, October 20, 2017 Why Should You Choose a Catholic Cemetery? All cemeteries are not created equal. For a Catholic, burial in a Catholic cemetery is a final act of faith to one s belief in the resurrection of the body and everlasting life. The Catholic cemetery is a sacred place set aside by the Church for the burial of the faithful. The bodies of those buried there rest under the watchful eye of the local Bishop until the last day. The Catholic cemetery is an extension of the parish community where those who have worshipped together in life now rest together in peace, awaiting Christ s return to glory. Canon law specifically designates two places on earth sacred where the faithful worship (churches) and places where the faithful are buried (our Catholic cemeteries). Those buried in a Catholic cemetery can feel confident that the ground in which they rest embraces their remains in the spirit of Christ s enduring love and devotion. Here in the Diocese of Pittsburgh we are fortunate to have numerous Catholic cemeteries. Currently, there are 16 diocesan cemeteries, owned and operated by The Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and 116 parish cemeteries, which are under the management of The Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association. Typically, diocesan cemetery properties are much larger than parish cemetery properties because they were established to meet the burial needs of multiple parish communities, unlike the parish cemeteries, which were established to meet only the needs of those who belong to that particular parish community. Pre-Planning: The Wiser Choice Pre-planning your funeral and burial arrangements is one of the most considerate things you can do for your family. Not only will they be spared from making those decisions on one of the most difficult days of their life, but they will also have great peace of mind that you made those decisions for yourself and that your arrangements conform to your wishes. Unfortunately, the cost of funeral and burial services continues to increase. Pre-planning protects you and your family from the future higher costs for these services. Planning ahead is a tangible investment in your family s financial future. Our Catholic cemeteries can provide you with a full range of pre-planning options, whether you desire traditional or non-traditional arrangements. Most importantly, you can be assured that these options will be consistent with Catholic burial and liturgical traditions. In addition, you have the flexibility to make changes to your plan in the future, should your circumstances change. The Catholic Cemeteries Association offers a free Catholic Record File which helps you organize your affairs, and answers many questions that often arise at the time of death. Contact us today to receive your copy. You owe it to yourself and your family to investigate the options available to you and to familiarize yourself with the advantages of pre-planning.

3 Friday, October 20, 2017 Pittsburgh Catholic CATHOLIC CEMETERIES 3 The Church and Cremation In October 2016, the Vatican released instructions concerning the scattering of ashes or retention of ashes in a home or place other than a cemetery. It also barred the separating of cremated remains for distribution to family members or placement in jewelry. The instructions require the remains be interred in consecrated ground, preferably in a Catholic cemetery. Is cremation approved by the Church? The Catholic Church has officially allowed cremation since This change in church norms was incorporated into Canon Law in 1983, with the expectation that the body would be brought to Church for the funeral liturgy, followed by cremation. Most recently, the Holy See has authorized celebration of funeral liturgies in the United States with cremated remains present, as well as celebration of the funeral liturgy when cremation and committal take place before the liturgy. The Church still prefers the practice of a burial of the body of the deceased. However, if cremation is chosen, it is strongly preferred that it take place after the actual funeral liturgy with the body present. This presence is the clearest reminder of the life and death of the person and better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its rites. When this is not possible, the cremation may precede the celebration of the funeral liturgy. The Church used to prohibit the practice of cremation. Why the change? In the early days of the Church, persecutors burned bodies in mockery of Christian belief in the resurrection. Today, the Church believes that these hostile factors are no longer prevalent. Thus, the Church will permit cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons hostile to Catholic teaching and when there are other good reasons to justify the practice. Why be concerned about what happens to the ashes after cremation? According to the Order of Christian Funerals, The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport and the final disposition. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires (Order, p 417). Choosing Cremation Cremation may have been the choice of the deceased, or it may be selected by the family for good and spiritually sound reasons (for example, transferring the remains to a distant place). You may be considering your own funeral plans or you may have responsibility for preparing the funeral of a loved one. In a prayerful spirit, think about the Christian values that are expressed in the way we respond to death and the way we treat the remains of those who die. Call or Visit for more information.

4 4 CATHOLIC CEMETERIES Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, October 20, 2017 Catholic Funeral Liturgy The Vigil Service The Vigil Service consists of various prayers and Scripture readings, or the family may wish to use the prayer of the Rosary. The vigil usually occurs at the place of public viewing, that is, at the family home or funeral home, or it could be held in the parish church and is generally held at a time more convenient to the family; most often in the afternoon or evening before the day of the funeral itself. The Funeral Mass The Mass, the memorial of Christ s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian Funeral. The Funeral Mass is very much like the Masses celebrated on Sunday, except the body of the deceased is present. Additional symbolic gestures are added, such as the placing of a white pall (cloth) over the casket and the Easter Candle at the foot of the casket, both symbols of the deceased person s Baptism. The sacramentals of holy water and incense are also used to remind us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass The Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass consists of Scripture readings and various prayers. Since this service is generally held at the place of viewing, the baptismal symbols of the white pall, the Easter Candle and the incense cannot be used. Neither can Holy Communion be given, since it is not a celebration of the Eucharist. The Committal Service The Committal Service consists of a brief Scripture reading, followed by various prayers for the deceased and surviving family and friends. This is typically held at the Committal Chapel in the cemetery or at the grave site. Resting Places for Our Veterans Did you know that The Catholic Cemeteries Association provides final resting places in its cemeteries honoring those who have faithfully served our country? Did you know that these very special burial sections are unique in that they provide burial space for the veteran and spouse and also for other family members? Available are grave sites in any of our Diocesan cemeteries, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. A government headstone or marker and a burial flag are available at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances that may reduce some of the expenses. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in our cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains. Eligible spouses and family members may be buried, even if they pre-decease the veteran. You should advise your family of your wishes and where your discharge papers are kept. These papers are very important in establishing your eligibility for these benefits. Call or visit our website today for more details.

5 Friday, October 20, 2017 Pittsburgh Catholic CATHOLIC CEMETERIES 5 For nearly 20 years, The Catholic Funeral Plan has been available as a funeral planning alternative for Catholics. Since its inception more than 20,000 families have enrolled in the Plan and nearly 5,000 families have experienced the benefits of the Plan. The Catholic Funeral Plan is the people s choice for funeral planning. Here are some of the reasons why: Service Representatives are available 24/7 to help and assist your family at the time of a death. They will guide them through the funeral process, share your funeral preference with your family, disclose only to your family the funds available to pay for the funeral, and review the funeral bill. We are there to assure that your wishes are carried out, and only after all is reviewed and checked is the funeral home paid. Flexibility Unlike most preneed plans, enrollees in The Catholic Funeral Plan have no contractual obligation to use any particular funeral home, and you are free to change any of your funeral preferences including the funeral home without a penalty; often a contractual term associated with most other pre-need plans. The Plan can be used at any funeral home in the United States. The People s Choice for Funeral Planning Control Instead of turning control of your funds over to the funeral home, enrollees in The Catholic Funeral Plan maintain complete control of the funds and how they are dispersed. You or a designated beneficiary control the funds. You can verify the value of the Plan at any time and your beneficiary will know the exact amount available at the time of your death. Funds not used for your funeral are returned to your family instead of the funeral home. Transparency When you are enrolled in The Catholic Funeral Plan your family knows all the details you desired for your funeral, including the precise amount of funds available and how they were spent. Since your family follows your instructions and makes the selection of the services at the time of your death, there are never questions as to what is included, what merchandise was selected, how much funds were available, and how they were spent. Common questions often occurring with other pre-need plans. Medicaid Funds placed in The Catholic Funeral Plan do not disqualify the enrollee for Medicaid or Veterans benefits. Funds transferred are exempt and, therefore; the Plan can be funded until the time of application for Medicaid. These funds are protected and will be available to be used for your funeral expenses. Excess funds are not subject to the estate recovery. Simple Enrollment in the Plan is straight forward and simple. Answer a few questions about your preferences on funeral and religious services you desire, select an appropriate amount of funding and the length of time you wish to fund the Plan and you are done. No need to go to a funeral home, select a casket and vault, or make other uncomfortable decisions. Catholic The Catholic Funeral Plan was specifically designed for Catholics. It is unique in that it incorporates your religious preference with your funeral preferences. The Plan was founded to allow Catholics to have a funeral consistent with their beliefs and the funeral and burial traditions of the Catholic Church. It is the only funeral plan approved by the Catholic Church. For all these reasons The Catholic Funeral Plan has become the people s choice for those wishing to plan for this eventual need. The Plan is the secure, safe and sensible way to plan for one s funeral. For more information on The Catholic Funeral Plan call Green Burial, A Beautiful Tribute Green, or natural burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. The St. Francis of Assisi Green Burial Section located in Holy Savior Catholic Cemetery (Pine/Richland Townships) is a natural tribute to one s life. To learn more about green burial please call and one of our professionals will be happy to provide you with the details.

6 6 CATHOLIC CEMETERIES Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, October 20, 2017 Yes, we have a diocesan cemetery near you! All Saints 1560 Brinton Road Pittsburgh, PA Calvary 718 Hazelwood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA Christ Our Redeemer 204 Cemetery Lane Pittsburgh, PA Good Shepherd 733 Patton Street Monroeville, PA Holy Savior 4629 Bakerstown Road Gibsonia, PA Holy Souls Catholic Cemetery 100 Resurrection Road Moon Township, PA Mount Carmel 7601 Mount Carmel Road Verona, PA Our Lady of Hope 1898 Bakerstown Road Tarentum, PA Queen of Heaven 2900 Washington Road McMurray, PA Resurrection 100 Resurrection Road Moon Township, PA Sacred Heart 97 Sacred Heart Road Monongahela, PA St. Joseph 1443 Lincoln Highway North Versailles, PA St. Mary Penn Avenue & 45th Street Pittsburgh, PA St. Stanislaus & St. Anthony Catholic Cemeteries 700 Soose Road Pittsburgh, PA Celebrate and honor your loved one: memories that will last forever We all have meaningful memories of the special people and events that have touched and shaped our lives. Our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and grandparents, just to name a few, are most often the people and memories that we hold so dear to our hearts. Creating an online memorial dedicated to your loved one is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to him or her and it gives you a chance to share your treasured memories of your loved one with everyone. The Catholic Cemeteries Association is very pleased to offer you a way to share your personal memories of departed loved ones with family and friends for generations to come. Our website, has very special features that allow you to post tributes, military history, obituaries, videos and photographs. It is an easy process and can become a meaningful and loving family project. On our website you will celebrate and honor the legacy of your loved one s life and inspire family and friends to do the same. Share messages of support and remembrance while connecting with each other. Through shared personal tales and reflections, this lasting online memorial continues the life story of your loved one.

7 Friday, October 20, 2017 Pittsburgh Catholic CATHOLIC CEMETERIES 7 The Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Established in January of 2017, The Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association (CPCA) oversees the administration and operation of all 116 parish cemeteries that are associated with 78 parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. As a part of its mission, The Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association seeks to relieve parishes from the challenges cemeteries present while maintaining the high quality of care for the deceased and their families. In order to provide a substantial level of customer service related to these cemeteries, there are three regional offices that house all of the records while overseeing all cemetery related activities: North Regional Office Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties 2636 Ellwood Road New Castle, PA Phone: Fax: South Regional Office Washington and Greene Counties 3337 Miller s Run Road Cecil, PA Phone: Fax: Allegheny Regional Office Allegheny County 1000 Logue Street Pittsburgh, PA Phone: Fax: As of October 1, 2017, cemeteries in Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington Counties are now a part of the new structure. The parish cemeteries in Allegheny County will be transferred soon. Burying the dead, one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, shows our respect for the deceased as they await the resurrection of the body and our care for families during their time of loss. Cemeteries serve as the final resting places for those who have died and as places of memorial and prayer for their families. They are sacred places where the dead wait to be reunited with the Lord on the last day. For more information, visit or cpca@cpca-pgh.org

8 8 CATHOLIC CEMETERIES Pittsburgh Catholic Friday, October 20, 2017 Upcoming Events Sacred Music In Sacred Space - A Concert In Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary On Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. The Catholic Cemeteries Association will host Sacred Music in Sacred Space: A Concert in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. The concert will feature The North Hills Chorale Inc., Ms. Jessica Lee and The Good Shepherd Handbell Choir. It will take place at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery (Greenfield, PA). Admission is Free - Reservations are Required. To Reserve a Ticket: Call (412) or Visit ccapgh.ticketleap.com/ Sunday, November 5, 2017, 3 p.m. Prayer Services for all the faithfully departed will be held at our diocesan cemetery locations listed below. 1. All Saints Cemetery (Braddock Catholic), Braddock Hills 2. Calvary Cemetery, Greenfield 3. Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery (North Side Catholic), Ross Township 4. Good Shepherd Cemetery, Monroeville 5. Holy Savior Cemetery, Richland Township 6. Mount Carmel Cemetery, Penn Hills 7. Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Tarentum 8. Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray 9. Resurrection Cemetery, Moon Township 10. Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela 11. St. Joseph Cemetery, North Versailles 12. St. Stanislaus/St. Anthony Cemeteries, Millvale The Catholic Cemeteries Association holds various events throughout the year. Check our website and social media accounts for dates and times and we also publish our special events in the Pittsburgh Catholic. We would love to see you there, so please join us! Memorial Prayer Services Stations of the Cross All Saints and All Souls Day Services Religious Services Memorial Day Services Remembrance Services Pre-planning Seminars Catholic Record File The Catholic Cemeteries Association has created a helpful booklet that will be an invaluable resource to Catholic families at the time of the loss of a loved one. Our Catholic Record File allows families to record both personal and financial information that will be needed at the time of death and to ensure that the deceased s affairs are carried out in an orderly fashion. The booklet contains helpful information about Catholic burial and funeral traditions, social security benefits, veterans benefits, living wills, powers of attorney, wills and other issues that can cause complications at the time of death. For those individuals wishing to spare their family difficulty at the time of death, this booklet is a must. The booklet, For more information on any of the topics or to request your copy of our Catholic Record File, contact us at Connect With Us! Be sure to connect with us on Act now and receive a FREE Catholic Record File along with information about Catholic burial and funeral options available free of charge. Call to request your copy today! More Information social media to stay up-to-date with news and events happening at The Catholic Cemeteries Association. It is our goal to provide the latest information regarding cemetery projects, events and news. is