Requiem Mass for the Unclaimed yesterday

Yesterday, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, Bishop Jarrell celebrated a Requiem Mass for the unclaimed remains at the Lafayette Parish coroner's office.

This is an article with some background: http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204190317

Here is an article on the mass at the Cathedral  yesterday:

http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204290354

And here is 3 minute video from the events at the cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQr-BU4KgWg&feature=youtu.be

And here is an article in the National Catholic Reporter:

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/louisiana-cemetery-take-unclaimed-bodies

Below is the press release from the diocese.

Funeral Mass for the unclaimed

LAFAYETTE
            On Saturday, April 28, Bishop Michael Jarrell presided over a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette for 93 individuals whose cremated remains have gone unclaimed from the local coroner’s office.  Some of the remains have awaited burial for more than a decade.
            “It’s entirely new in my experience,” stated Bishop Michael Jarrell.  “I’ve never been involved in anything like this, nor have I read about it anywhere else.  This is quite different—a funeral Mass for 93 persons whose remains have been in the coroner’s office just sitting there because they have not been claimed.  It was a wonderful opportunity to show our respect for the dead.”
            Efforts to claim the remains and provide a proper burial were spearheaded by Ms. Kimberly James Boudreaux, Executive Director of Lafayette Catholic Service Centers, Inc.  Prior to the funeral Mass, a wake was held and the Missionaries of Charity led the recitation of the rosary.  Residents of St. Joseph Men’s Shelter served as pallbearers.  Father Chester Arceneaux, pastor of the Cathedral, and officials of St. John Cemetery also worked with Ms. Boudreaux in planning the funeral Mass and burial arrangements.
            Anyone who wishes to help cover the expenses of the funeral are encouraged to send their donations to:  Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 515 Cathedral Street, Lafayette, LA  70501.