Registration and Parishioner Status
Please make Christ Our King your parish by completing the online registration form or filling out a paper registration card. The online form can be found by clicking here. Cards can be found in the rear of the church or by visiting the Parish Office in the Life Center.
It has become a general procedure that statements testifying to the active, participating, contributing status of an individual be provided for those wishing to be sacramental sponsors or receive parishioner rates for Catholic school tuition. We cannot issue such statements if you are not a registered and active member of Christ Our King. You must use the offertory envelopes provided to registered parishioners to verify your active status.
Please click here for more information.
Funerals
Funeral Liturgies
Catholic funeral rites celebrate the mystery of our life, death and resurrection in Christ. Faith in this mystery should motivate people arranging the funeral of a loved one. We encourage the celebration of funeral services for all parishioners regardless of whether or not they have been able to participate regularly due to age or health limitations. We will accommodate funeral services for non-parishioners as staffing and facilities resources allow.
The Mass of Christian Burial is the primary funeral service for Catholics. In some cases, a Memorial Mass or a simple graveside service is appropriate. When planning arrangements, our staff will advise and guide you. To learn more about funerals at Christ Our King, please consult our Funeral Policies.
The Order of the Mass of Christian Burial
Reception at the Church
Since the church is the place where the community of faith assembles for worship, the Rite of Reception of the Body at the church is significant. The Rite takes place at the beginning of the Mass, at the entrance to the church. The casket spray or flag is removed from the casket/urn in preparation for the placing of the pall, which reminds us of the white garment given at baptism, signifying life in Christ. After the celebrant greets the family, he sprinkles the casket/urn with holy water, and a designated person places the pall on the casket/urn.
Entrance Procession
The order of entrance is as follows: altar servers, celebrant, casket/urn, pallbearers, followed by the family. The same order is used when leaving the church.
Special note: If an Honor Guard is present, the celebrant will designate their location for the procession and during the Mass of Christian Burial.
Liturgy of the Word
The reading of the Word of God is an essential element of the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial. The readings proclaim the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's Kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life.
When the family of the deceased meets with the celebrant to plan the funeral, they will choose the readings for the Mass. The Responsorial Psalm, which is sung, is chosen in conjunction with the celebrant or Director of Liturgy and Music and is led by the Cantor.
The homily, based on the readings and deceased's life, is given after the Gospel. The homilist will dwell on God's compassionate love and on the Paschal Mystery of the Lord as proclaimed in the Scripture readings.
The Universal Prayer will be read by a lector, the priest, or a deacon.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place in the usual manner at the Mass of Christian Burial. Members of the family or friends of the deceased may bring the gifts to the altar. Please notify the celebrant if you desire a gift procession. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion from Christ Our King may distribute the Eucharist, if needed. However, at most funeral Masses, only the celebrant distributes the consecrated Host.
Committal Rite
Procession to the cemetery and burial (The Committal Rite) usually follows the Mass of Christian Burial. The celebrant or a deacon will officiate at the committal. Visitation with friends is more appropriate after the committal rather than immediately after the Mass of Christian Burial.
Pre-Planning
All parishioners are encouraged to make an appointment with Betsy Dalton, Pastoral Assistant, to create a funeral pre-planning document. We will keep it on file to assist your loved ones in the future by providing a meaningful liturgy that you picked out yourself. Of course, nothing will be set in stone. You will always have the option to make changes.
Cremation
Today, many families choose cremation. The Church, however, teaches that burial of the body - baptized, anointed in Confirmation, and a vessel of the Eucharist - is the preferred and most respectful way to honor the deceased. Cremation is permitted as an exception, provided that the remains are treated with the same dignity as a body.
The Vatican has stated that cremated remains must be buried or placed in a columbarium. The scattering of ashes or keeping them at home is not permitted and is considered disrespectful to the sacredness of the human body.
For further details, please read the Church’s teaching on cremation.