We Are Remembered Ministry

Deacon Robert Barth, Coordinator
412-381-9878

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

Tragic death has touched your life, and your Church wants you to know you are not alone. Closest to you at this time is Christ, who himself was a victim of tragedy. In your time of loss, friends and family give you comfort. Your parish family is concerned, as well.

As Catholics who grieve a sudden or tragic death, we seek ministry and ongoing spiritual support from the Church. As fellow believers, we extend support to bereaved persons: we know first-hand the pain, doubt, and fear you are experiencing. Our programs are open to any grieving person, regardless of circumstances.

Our outreach is called the We Are Remembered Ministry, a reminder that our beloved dead are worthy of special remembrance. Founded in 1984, this program is a ministry of survivors who spiritually care for one another, expressing the love of the Church. We join with you to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, and we are united in the hope of reunion with our loved ones in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ministry Outreach

We gather as Church to receive spiritual support at our annual Victims’ Mass. This Mass, our principal event, is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The readings, prayers, and Easter message of redemption speak directly and powerfully to those who grieve.

Loved ones may be entered in the Book of the Remembered, which is brought forward in procession at the Victims’ Mass. On Easter Sunday, a list of our departed loved ones appears in the Victims’ Memorial List, published in the Pittsburgh Catholic.

The Summer Evening Prayer of Hope and Christmas Day Service are additional expressions of our desire to gather as bereaved Catholics and to draw strength from our collective faith.

Our newsletter describes ministry programs and offers spiritual guidance and prayers for our beloved deceased.

Spiritual Support

Through all our programs, we invite bereaved families to come together and spiritually support one another. Within this ministry, we are able to speak heart-to-heart because we have a common experience in tragic death.

The ministry is comprised of a few families from every parish in the Diocese, making for a total of 450 families.

To be included in ministry mailings, complete and return the We Are Remembered Ministry New Member Response Form (PDF).

Prayer

Father, in the midst of tragedy, You show Your love for us.
You raised Your Son, Jesus, after His tragic death on the cross.
Hear this prayer for your servant who has died tragically.
Help us to know that our loved one is not lost in tragedy.
Let Your love find and redeem Your servant for whom we pray,
through Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Scripture

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one.” — John 10:27-30

“It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” — Matthew 18:14