St. Francis Solanus
Funeral Dinners Ministry
offering comfort to those in mourning
I
n the Gospel of Luke, we hear the story of Mary and Martha. Mary spends time at Jesus’ feet and Martha busies herself getting the house ready and preparing a meal. We can all relate to Mary and Martha at some point in our lives. They both have a role in the story, but Martha provides an example that those in the Funeral Dinner Ministry have emulated, providing true hospitality to guests. When a family opts for a meal following a funeral at our parish, one of four groups help. The group, consisting of about five people, gathers before the funeral to make
a meal of meat, potatoes, beans, corn, and rolls. Others in the group volunteer by bringing salads and desserts. Each group has about 30 people to call on for cooking, salads, and desserts. For family and friends of the deceased, often coming from out of town, this ministry provides hospitality and comfort to those who have experienced a tough few days. “When there is a mother or dad that dies and the kids are located out of town, or the sisters or brothers are out of town, this is one way to unite the families and give them a place to
visit after the funeral,” says Marcia Tushaus, who has been involved with the ministry for many years. “They have the opportunity to take pictures of who is around, and that is a good thing for them.” Marcia enjoys being able to provide a space for people to process the loss they have just experienced and not have to worry about space and a meal. From setup to cleanup, the Funeral Dinner ministry is there to help. “When we provide this opportunity, families can gather around a table and avoid the stress of making food,” Marcia
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A group leader is needed to make a fifth group, but help is appreciated with every part of this ministry. To volunteer or for more information, please call Marcia Tushaus at 217-222-3370 or David Hildebrand at 217-455-3822. 7
