Fr Bernard Cotter
Why is it that undertakers are nearly always thanked for their ‘professionalism’ while clergy are never praised in this way? I’m referring to those acknowledgement notices placed in newspapers some time after a funeral, which contain a kind of general ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped, but which usually name people whose contribution was especially significant at funeral time.
Undertakers (or ‘funeral directors’) are invariably commended for their professionalism, which is probably a way of saying that they do their job well (which most of them do). I suppose the compliment was first given to them when they took on some of the American ways of death, and their comprehensive and inclusive approach came across as a bit of surprise.
But now, as a general rule, undertakers are the only ones acclaimed for their professionalism. Occasionally, this accolade is extended to gravediggers (for their digging skill?) but that seems not quite the most appropriate compliment.
Priests are never commended for their professionalism, however, even though they are the most professional of funeral ministers. The priest in a parish puts his all into every funeral that comes his way, whether it’s of someone he liked or disliked, whether a regular communicant or someone who never darkened the door of the church. Equal treatment is given, a homily and a personal funeral liturgy prepared, people’s needs accommodated (and in times of grief, this can be quite a challenge) and all accomplished in a calm, serene and definitely professional manner.
Attention
Even though not described as professional, some priests do receive star billing in acknowledgment notices. It does my heart good when I see a priest mentioned by name and attention drawn to either his visits to the dying person or for the work he put into preparing the liturgy. It’s wonderful to see a colleague honoured, and I try to pass on the word, in case they do not share my taste in newspapers. Other times, just a list of clergy is given — which makes me a bit sad. This is because I know that just one of these has put hours of work into the liturgy, yet now he is commended no more than others who either turned up to sympathise or who sat in vestments during the Mass, adding to the numbers, but not actually putting in any real work.
Yet, disappointing as this is, it is still better than those deflating notices, when the only mention of the priests’ contribution is one word: “clergy”. Here, all individuality is crushed out, and no one is recognised for the work done, whether professional or not. There may be numerous references to the professional undertaker (who presumably is paid for his work) and the singer (likewise) and the sacristan and altar servers, but ‘clergy’ are all thanked in one anonymous word.
My suggestion: acknowledge by name those who made a difference at the time of a funeral. And don’t forget your priest. Your kind word will be his best reward here on Earth.
THE LOCAL EYE My chief source for acknowledgement notices (and planning permissions, court cases and other parish dramas) is my local paper, the Southern Star, published weekly in Skibbereen. On its masthead is the reminder that it incorporates the Skibbereen Eagle, an earlier West Cork newspaper. A scary-looking bird of prey illustrates this incorporation, as well as serving as a reminder of the 1898 edition in which the Editor stated the intention of the Skibbereen Eagle to “keep its eye on the Emperor of Russia”.
And no harm either – Messrs Medvedev and Putin (and Trump), please take note: West Cork continues to observe!
Stories from parish life
The bride and groom are photographed outside the door of the church on their wedding day, and numerous other photos are taken. When the pictures are developed, the parish notice-board is observed in the background, featuring the words of Jesus on the Cross (which appear above the guests’ heads in each photo): “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
I heard this at a parishioner’s wedding in Ballitubber Abbey recently, so am sharing it here for priests stuck for a nice line to begin a homily with.
No royalties needed, just sharing what I heard…