A Word to those Who have lost Loved Ones
                                                        during this time of pandemic  ...

Allow us first, to offer our deepest condolences for your loss. Loss, in and of itself, is difficult. Add the complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seems nearly unbearable. Please know that we here at the Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative share in your grief, and are here to assist you in any and all ways possible. More importantly, know that our God, while he weeps with you, upholds you in His grace and mercy.

For those of you who had to bury your loved one without the celebration of a Funeral, serving your needs will be first and foremost. Upon the lift of the ban on Masses, your family will be given the utmost attention in providing the Funeral Celebration that your loved one deserves; the first of these celebrations to be scheduled no more than two weeks following the re-opening of our church. You will be notified as soon as we are given this date. 

For those of you requesting the funeral celebration of a loved one who passes following the lift of the ban, you will be served according to the same level of compassion and care that we pride ourselves in giving.
 
Again, please know that we stand in solidarity with you. We lift you and your loved one in prayer, and trust that together, we will get through this challenge, and be graced in a special way.

God bless!

The family of the Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative extends our deepest sympathies to you on your loss. As believers in Jesus Christ, we turn to the Lord and rely upon Him and His words of comfort and support, proclaimed in his Sermon on the Mount,

“Blessed are the sorrowful for they shall be consoled.”
                                                     -Matthew 5:4

To begin the process of scheduling a Funeral Rite,
please contact Rae Russo at (978) 251-8571/ 256-2374, ext 325.

From here, someone from our Ministry of Hope will compassionately assist you in the scheduling and planning of the Funeral Mass. To help you in that process, we invite you to download our Funeral Guidelines, which includes the readings and song selections that you will choose from. If someone in your family will be eulogizing your loved one, we ask that you please pay close attention to the Guidelines. Additionally, we know that there may be many questions as you begin this journey. To help you, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Below are the some music suggestions in your funeral planning. Each song has a live link that you can click on and hear the music. If you have other selections, 
please feel free to discuss with the Director of Music Ministries.  

Gathering Songs

During Ordinary Time:

• All Creatures of Our God and King ...st john only...
• Amazing Grace
• Be Not Afraid
• Faith of our Fathers ...st john only...
• Here I Am, Lord
• I Know that My Redeemer Lives ...st mary only..
• Joyful, Joyful We Adore You
• Lift High the Cross
• Morning Has Broken
• Prayer of St. Francis ...st john only...
• We Gather Together ...st john only...

During Advent:

• O Come O Come Emmanuel
• Beyond the Moon and Stars ...st john only...

During Christmastime:

• Angels We Have Heard on High
• Away in a Manger ...st john only...
• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
• Joy to the World
• O Come all Ye Faithful
• Silent Night ...st john only...
• What Child is This ...st john only...

During Eastertime:

• Jesus Christ is Risen Today 

• Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd
• Psalm 25: To You O Lord I Lift Up My Soul
• Psalm 27: The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
• Psalm 34: Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord
• Psalm 42: As the Deer Longs
• Psalm 51: Be Merciful O Lord
• Psalm 63: My Soul is Thirsting for You, O Lord, Thirsting for You, O God
• Psalm 91: Be With Me Lord
• Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful
• Psalm 116: I Will Walk in the Presence of the Lord
• Psalm 122: I Rejoiced When I Heard Them Say Let us Go To The House of the Lord
• Psalm 138: On the Day I Called for Help

• Age to Age ...st mary only..
• Beyond the Moon & Stars ...st mary only..
• Blest Are They  ...st john only...
• Center of My Life ...st john only...
• Come Follow Me ...st mary only..
• Come To Me ...st mary only..
• Eye Has Not Seen ...st john only...
• Fly Like A Bird ...st mary only..
• Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
• Hosea  ...st john only...
• I Have Loved You
• I The Lord ...st mary only..
• Loving and Forgiving ...st mary only..
• Lord of the Dance ...st mary only..
• Lord You Have Come ...st mary only..
• Now We Remain
• On Eagles Wings
• Only This I Want  ...st john only...
• Parable ...st mary only..
• Prayer of St. Francis ...st mary only..
• Shelter Me, O God
• The Summons
• We Have Been Told  ...st john only...
• We Remember  ...st john only...
• We Walk By Faith  ...st john only...
• You Are Mine
• You Are Near  ...st john only...

During Lenten Season

• Hosea  
• Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days 
• The Glory of These 40 Days  

• Bread of Angels  ...st mary only..
• Behold the Lamb  ...st mary only..
• Eat This Bread  ...st john only...
• Gift Of Finest Wheat 
• I Am the Bread of Life 
• One Bread, One Body
• Our Blessing Cup ...st mary only..
• Panis Angelicus ...st mary only..
• Take and Eat ...st john only...
• Taste and See  
• Song of the Body of Christ .st john only.

• Ave Maria 
• Irish Blessing 
• Jesus Remember Me ...st mary only..
• Lady of Knock ...st mary only..  

• America The Beautiful 
• Be Not Afraid 
• Eternal Father- Navy Hymn ...st mary only.. 
• Go In Peace ...st mary only..
• Holy God We Praise Thy Name  ...st john only...
• How Can I Keep From Singing ...st mary only..
• How Great Thou Art 
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (except during Lent) ...st john only...
• Let There Be Peace on Earth ...st mary only..
• Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory 
• Now Thank We All Our God ...st john only...
• On Eagles Wings ...st john only...
• To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King ...st john only...
• We Will Rise Again ...st mary only..