Daffodil Days Are Here!

Gately Community Connections

For Our Community of Caregivers

February 2012

In This Issue

Coat Collection in Full Swing

Gately Named Coordinator of Daffodil Days for Third Year!

Farewell and Thank You to Fr. John Sullivan

FAQ: "Preplanning: Do you have to Pre-Pay when you Pre-Plan?"

Save the Date!

Winter Coat Drive in Full Swing

"From the day we announced our annual Winter Coat Drive, people have been coming in to Gately Funeral Home to drop off gently-used coats," said John Gately.

A collection box is set up in the lobby and we will continue our Winter Coat Drive until the end of the month to accept adult and children's coats which will be distribu- ted through the Salvation Army in Saugus and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire.

Gately Named Coordinator of

Daffodil Days
for Third Year!

For the third year, Gately Funeral Home has been named a sponsor and coordinator for the American Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Days.

"We are excited to be a part of the fight against cancer by participating in this unique campaign for the third time," said John Gately, owner and funeral director. "Every dollar is so very important in supporting the American Cancer Society. Last year Daffodil Days raised over $1,000,000 in Massachusetts alone and we are proud to be a part of this effort."

Residents and businesses of Melrose and surrounding communities can donate by ordering daffodils and other Daffodil Days gifts for as little as $10 by visiting the Gately Funeral Home website. The site includes a list of beautiful items available in exchange for donations, including everything from fresh-cut daffodils to an adorable Daffodil Days Boyds® by Enesco® Bear.

John Gately said, "This year we are happy to have Joan Ford Mongeau, Director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, joining with us to help spread the word about donations for Daffodil Days."

Joan added, "We've been aware of John's participation in Daffodil Days in the past, and we wanted to help raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. We will be distributing flyers around town for Daffodil Days and encouraging residents of Melrose to order daffodils ... it's a win-win! You get to brighten someone's day with a harbinger of spring and help raise funds to fight cancer."

Area residents Ronda Moulds and Colette Maguire have also offered to help with Daffodil Days," John explained. "It is heartwarming that the community is responding, not only by donating, but by joining in to help us with the campaign."

The on-going work of the American Cancer Society helps people get well and stay well by finding cures. Last year Gately Funeral Home raised over $1,000 during Daffodil Days and hopes to do even better this year.

Flowers will be delivered to Gately Funeral Home between March 19 and 23. Orders must be placed by March 2, 2012. Visit http://www.gatelyfh.com to order.

Daffodils

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Farewell and Thank You

to Fr. John Sullivan

Fr. John Sullivan served St. Mary's Church in Melrose for more than 12 years and with mixed emotions left at the end of January to serve at another parish less than 10 miles away.

After a weekend of fond farewells and a special school mass on Monday with family members and friends, Fr. John left to go to his "new" church, St. Margaret's in Burlington.

"It was emotionally draining, but joyful at the same time. I am so grateful for my time at St. Mary's Church," said Fr. John. "It warmed my heart to have people come up to me and thank me for the role I played in their family's life over the years."

He added, "Twelve years is a long time. I've been with these families through baptisms, communions, confirmations, weddings, pastoral care for the sick, and funerals. I've been there for the important points in people's lives. I've been able to walk inside their lives and experience both the joys and the sorrows with them. It is unusual to stay so long at one church. Usually we move around every five to eight years. I've given first communion to those I've baptized. I've seen kids grow up," he said.

St. Margaret's Church in Burlington is a large church with an attendance at Sunday mass of about 2,500 and more than 1,000 children involved in the church's religious program. Fr. John is the only priest there, succeeding Fr. Joe Robinson who recently retired. "The people here are very devoted to their faith and have been very welcoming to me. I've only been here a week but have lots of Irish soda bread, cakes and pies given to me from members of the congregation!"

Asked about plans for the future, Fr. John says, "Right now I'm just trying to land without crashing and I want to listen to people and observe. I want to see the customs and traditions they have here at St. Margaret's. Two things are very important to me: Faith Formation - helping people learn how to pray - and Pastoral Planning - learning how to move forward into the future with a declining number of priests. As I think about the future, I am mindful of both these issues."

Fr. John said, "My time at St. Mary's was really precious - all the families and people I got to know there are close to my heart. I imagine that here in Burlington, I'll be able to do the same: become part of the fabric of the community. That certainly is my hope and my prayer."

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Frequently Asked Questions

"Pre-Planning: Do you have to Pre-Pay when you Pre-Plan?"

The simple answer is NO, you do not have to pre-pay when you pre-plan.

Pre-planning is the opportunity to sit with a funeral director and ask lots of questions, find out about the services that are available to you, understand options that are available with either cremation or burial, and begin the process of making decisions about the type of funeral service that is most in accord with your values.

People pre-plan for a variety of reasons. Certainly, funeral planning isn't something people want to think about every day. But, if you put it off, family members may not be prepared, either emotionally or financially, to make the many decisions that must be made.

During the pre-planning conference, the funeral director will also record your wishes and desires so that this information is readily available for your family when it is needed.

John Gately commented, "Recording one's desires helps to ensure that your wishes will be carried out; and that loved ones are relieved of having to make difficult decisions about what you would have wanted. This provides you - and them - with a great deal of peace of mind."

Pre-arranging allows you to compare services, facilities and prices for different types of funerals, and to choose what is best for you and your family. There are so many options available today, and a funeral director can help you select the service options that will be best suit your budget and needs. As part of the arrangement process, the funeral director will help you to think about how best to create a personalized memorial that will hold special meaning to those in attendance.

Pre-planning is often a part of general estate planning, and enables you to set aside appropriate funds in a vehicle that is considered an exempt asset when qualifying for Medicaid. You will also have the opportunity to determine pricing, and to decide whether pre-paying for your arrangements is appropriate for you.

There are a number of reasons why people decide to pre-pay for funerals and we'll be happy to discuss them with you, if you'd like. One certain benefit of pre-planning is that you can get cost estimates for the funeral you are considering and make any necessary adjustments during a time when you are thinking rationally and not overwhelmed with emotion.

Most importantly, prearranging provides you with genuine peace of mind and a sense of freedom, knowing that you have made informed-decisions and that everything is taken care of.

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Save the Date!

Senior couple
Seminar for Seniors and

Their Caregivers

Tuesday, June 5th

Gately Funeral Home presents a free, no-obligation Estate and Funeral Planning Seminar this spring. All are invited! Tuesday, June 5th at 2 pm at the Milano Senior Center in Melrose.

Martina McBride, Esq., a local attorney specializing in Elder Law will be presenting, along with John Gately.

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Since 1889 the firm of Gately Funeral Home has been dedicated to providing the people of Melrose and surrounding communities funeral services unsurpassed in quality and caring. We thank you for your continuing support. It is our honor to assist your families in times of need.
Let the healing begin with us.

Contact Info
For more information about the articles in this issue of Gately Community Connections or to contribute to a future issue, contact John Gately at info@gatelyfh.com. Gately Funeral Home is located at 79 West Foster Street, Melrose MA 02176.