Estate Planning Seminars Scheduled

CARTMELL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Autumn 2013

In This Issue

Free-Estate Planning Seminars Scheduled for September and October

Hope and Healing: The Grief Journey - A Series of Bereavement Support Seminars

St. Mary's Parish in Plymouth Celebrates 100 Years!

FAQ: "Can you help me to understand why we have funerals" What is the purpose?"

Free Estate Planning Seminars Scheduled for September 24th and October 2nd

You are invited to hear experts present information on estate-planning at one of two seminars sponsored by Cartmell Funeral Home. The September seminar will be held at St. Bonaventure's Parish Center on Tuesday, September 24th and in October the seminar will be at the Plymouth Senior Center on Wednesday, October 2nd. Beginning at 2 pm in the afternoon, the seminars feature a trio of professionals who will address issues of vital importance to seniors and their families.

Presenters will include a representative from the Veterans' Services Office, an elder law attorney, and Cartmell funeral directors Kathy Cartmell-Sirrico, John Vincent, and Daniel R. Holland.

They will address key issues including information on wills and trusts, asset protection, Medicaid, Veterans' benefits, preplanning funerals and options concerning cremation. A question and answer period will follow and each attendee will receive a complimentary Planning Guide.

Refreshments will be served. Please call 508-746-2162 to reserve your spot at one of these informative, free seminars:

Tuesday, September 24th at 2 pm

St. Bonaventure's Parish Center
799 State Road, Plymouth

Wednesday, October 2nd at 2 pm
Plymouth Senior Center
44 Nook Road, Plymouth

If you cannot attend one of these seminars, but would like a complimentary Planning Guide, please call 508-746-2162 to request one.

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Hope and Healing: The Grief Journey - A Series of Bereavement Support Seminars for our Community

Cartmell Funeral Home is proud to co-sponsor a series of four seminars in conjunction with Cranberry Hospice and Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center. This series of seminars help address The Grief Journey for those who have lost loved ones.

Kathy Cartmell Sirrico said, "We are so pleased to partner with these two excellent organizations to present Hope and Healing: The Grief Journey. Grief is a necessary phase of the healing process and so many people go through it without the help and support that is available for them. It is our sincere hope that those who are suffering will attend to learn ways in which to cope with the grief they are experiencing."

Each session is presented by Kathleen McAleer, MSW, LICSW, Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at Cranberry Hospice. Attend one or all ... there is no fee to participate, but those interested are asked to register by calling Kathy Cartmell-Sirrico at 508-746-2162.

A clinical social worker with more than 20 years experience, Kathleen McAleer is responsible for coordinating bereavement support for both hospice families and members of the community. "The nice thing about doing workshops is that I can target the discussion to the audience. Each seminar represents a wide overview of the topic ... an introduction to other programs available," Kathleen said.

People are often reluctant to go seek out help when they are grieving. They may not want to commit to a six-week bereavement support group. Kathleen explains, "No one wants to go to a support group. The big hurdle is getting someone to come. It is important for them to know that this is a safe place to share. There is a careful screening process so that each group is loss-specific. It is much like putting together a guest list for a cocktail party. The group needs to have common ground."

The Hope and Healing seminars are a perfect opportunity to learn about the grieving process and to obtain some guidance on how to cope with certain situations. Kathleen suggests, "It is helpful to come and just listen."

The first of four Hope and Healing: The Grief Journey seminars is Wednesday November 6th 7 pm - 8:30 pm at the American Legion Post 40, 199 Federal Furnace Road, Plymouth. The topic is Coping with the Holidays While Grieving. We will discuss the ways in which grief symptoms may be intensified during the holiday season and we will offer practical tips for coping with common challenges.

The next seminars in the series will be held in April, June, and September, 2014. Details will be forthcoming in future newsletters. All will be held at Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center, 4 Elm Street in Kingston, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Thursday, April 10th - Grief 101
Thursday, June 5th - Adults Coping with the Death of a Parent
Thursday, September 8th - Coping with the Death of a Spouse or Partner

You may attend one or more of these seminars. There is no fee, but please call 508-746-2162 to register.

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St. Mary's Parish in Plymouth Celebrates 100 Years

St. Mary's has already begun to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the church, which will culminate in a very special Mass with Cardinal Sean O'Malley on Saturday, May 16th 2015. This past month featured a kick-off to the anniversary events with dinner and an evening of fun and friendship at the new American Legion Hall.

Future anniversary events include a Pumpkin Fair on Sunday, October 27, 2013 with a cookout and rides and activities for the children. In December of this year there will be a trip to New York City for dinner, shopping and to see the Christmas program and the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. There are many other events to be planned throughout 2014. Check out the church's website for more information as it becomes available.

Saint Mary's Parish was established in 1915 to serve the growing Catholic community of Plymouth. Most of the early parishioners were working-class German, Italian, and Portuguese immigrants. The church itself was built by members of the Portuguese, Italian, and Irish community in Plymouth and the surrounding area. Rev. Austin E. Doherty was the first pastor of St. Mary's Church who at the first Mass in the newly built church welcomed all members of the community.

That tradition continues today under the leadership of Pastor, Rev. Joseph MacCarthy. "We are committed to fostering a sense of community at St. Mary's through our Family Mass and our Brazilian Community Mass," explained Fr. MacCarthy. "The children and grandchildren of the builders of St. Mary's are now members of the church."

The Brazilian Community Mass began in 2002 in response to the growing population of Brazilians in the parish and community. Fr. Eduardo, a Brazilian priest, most often presides at the weekly Monday evening mass at 7 pm, which he conducts in Portuguese and features lively Brazilian music. A social follows the mass in the Father O'Hara Meeting Room. Those interested in learning more can call Fr. Eduardo at 508-746-7039. Fr. MacCarthy reflects, "We've seen an increase in attendance at the Brazilian mass - there have been 25 to 30 more people coming each week from Plymouth, Kingston, and Carver. We are most definitely filling a need in the community."

St. Mary's is a very active parish with programs in place for outreach to the community. Matthew's Kitchen is located in the Parish Center, staffed by volunteers, who prepare and serve a hot meal every Saturday year round to whoever needs one. The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in collaboration with WIC distributes food and diapers to those in need on Thursdays from 10 am to noon.

Fr. MacCarthy is very proud of the vibrant church school program at St. Mary's, under the direction of Barbara Sullivan. They offer religious education to children from first grade through tenth grade.

"Our parishioners truly appreciate the beauty of the grounds of the church. A special word of thanks goes to Alex Maciel, our grounds keeper, who is responsible for creating the beautiful landscaping," said Fr. MacCarthy. Another individual that Fr. MacCarthy wants to acknowledge is retired Father, Paul Bailey. Formerly at St. Peter's Church in Plymouth, Fr. Bailey was invited to live at St. Mary's. At 86 years of age, Fr. Bailey still celebrates mass on Fridays at St. Mary's. "You never really retire from the priesthood," observed Fr. MacCarthy.

The future will see a major change at St. Mary's. A plan for collaboration with St. Joseph's in Kingston is underway. Fr. MacCarthy says, "Both churches will remain open and active, but we will become one parish. The plan is just beginning but when complete, we will combine religious education programs, share responsibilities, and celebrate joys together." It will take about three years for the collaboration plan to be fully executed and will include about 2,000 families in the newly combined parish. "I'm looking forward to growing with St. Joseph's Church," said Fr. MacCarthy.

Mass is celebrated at St. Mary's on Saturdays at 5 pm and on Sundays at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, and 10:30 am. The Brazilian Mass is Monday at 7 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

"Can you help me to understand why we have funerals?

What is the purpose?"

While some today may believe that funerals are an old-fashioned tradition that has no real purpose, there are many key reasons why the funeral and the ceremony that accompanies it are very important.

A funeral provides a place for family and friends to get together to support each other and to reminisce. A funeral provides an opportunity to celebrate the life and achievements of a loved one and a chance to say goodbye. A funeral is the point at which the healing process can begin.

The funeral helps us acknowledge and manage our grief:

It helps confirm the reality and finality of death.
It allows an environment for mourning and expressing grief
It serves as a central gathering place for family and friends to lend support
It is how the community can express its respect
It encourages the affirmation of religious faith

A funeral celebrates a life:

It encourages people to remember and honor their loved one in a special way
It provides an opportunity for family and friends to participate in a celebration of life by sharing stories, anecdotes, a special poem, or music

There is no right or wrong way to have a funeral. It is a very personal decision and one that ideally should be discussed with loved ones and planned prior to death.

Sir William Ewart Gladstone, Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1868 during the reign of Queen Victoria, was often quoted. He said, "Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals."

About Cartmell Funeral Home

Now in its third generation, Cartmell Funeral Service is an independent family-owned and operated funeral home. The legacy of care and compassion continues through personal experience and understanding, serving the people of the greater Plymouth area and surrounding communities.

Cartmell Funeral Service, Inc.

Entrusted to the Community for Three Generations