St. Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion and was the first of Jesus' disciples to see Him after His Resurrection from the dead.
We, as the disciples of Christ, provide a ministry of accompaniment to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The Saint Mary Magdalene Bereavement Ministry does this by providing comfort, hope, and an invitation to serve for all who seek it. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, through our Catholic faith, believes that no one should grieve alone.
We grieving the deaths of fellow parishioners and their families as a community. We have recently expanded our St. Mary Magdalene Bereavement Ministry to provide accompaniment to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one, through meetings, prayer partners, and more.
We have started a grief support ministry.
Meetings at the Basilica are currently suspended due to travel commitments of our group leaders.
At this time we are recommending professional grief support programs in our area, particularly Avalon Hospice, who welcomes all those who are grieving, regardless of whether their loved ones have been under the care of Hospice. (See Counseling below for a phone and email contact.)
More local resources are also listed below.
If you would like to learn more or receive Bereavement assistance, please contact the parish office, or email Renee Kyle at [email protected].
Behold Your Child - a Catholic ministry that aims to walk alongside those experiencing miscarriage. Read 10/15/2023 article by Catholic News Agency here.
The St. Mary Magdalene Bereavement Committee is honored to host a reception for family, friends, and guests following the funeral of your loved one. This reception can be held in Varallo Parish Hall, schedule permitting. If you would prefer, we can also send food to your home or other location to help you host a gathering.
If you would like this service, please speak with our parish office staff when making the arrangements for the funeral.
Visit our Last Rites & Funerals page for more information.
If you would like to help with our funeral receptions by serving or providing food or drink, please contact Florence Porter at [email protected].
+Nancy Fisher (9/27/1955 - 5/26/2025)
+Clyde Mosier (1/24/1956 - 5/18/2025)
+Lewis "Harold" Hamilton (11/23/1964 - 3/24/2025
+Jeff Terrell (age 55, dec. 4/9/2025)
+Sheila Faye (Green) Murfin+Minaen David López Pérez (5/8/1998 - 2/22/2025)
+Milad ("Mike") Dabit (9/12/1933 - 2/20/2025)
+Adam Keith Schoolcraft (age 11, died 1/17/2025) - nephew of Jordan & Katie Halabrin
+Galindo Berduo Miguel (12/28/1998 - 1/11/2025)
+Sherry Ohotnicky (1/13/1971 - 12/26/2024)
+Leroy Altman (7/21/1950 - 10/20/2024)
+Hugo Hernandez Perez (2/1/2010 - 7/3/2024)
+Marilyn Carpenter (8/18/1931 - 6/3/2024) - mother of Sharon Poston
+Pabla Cardona Perez (1/30/1969 - 5/27/2024)
+Axel Adrián Velásquez López (5/28/2004 - 5/18/2024)
+Vismar Osveli Castañon Castañon (4/6/1999 - 5/18/2024)
+Fr. Bertin Glennon, former Parochial Vicar of the Basilica (died 5/21/2024)
+Eduardo Ventura Cerpas (4/11/15 - 5/12/24
+Cate Mueller (5/11/1965 - 5/10/2024) - wife of Dan Mueller
+Sue Shramko (8/11/1945 - 5/1/2024) - wife of Bert Shramko
+Emma Claire Giles Davenport (6/28/1935 - 4/27/2024)
+Johnny Alexander Solis Sanchez (1/15/2003 - 4/15/2024)
+Toni Powell (11/19/1944 - 3/19/2024)
+Emilio Tomás Diaz (3/8/1958 - 3/12/2024)
+Susana Parra Marín (4/10/1969 - 3/7/2024)
+ Charlene (C. K.) Reynolds (7/4/1956 - 2/12/2024)
+ Pamela Mahoney Rudd (5/9/1951 - 1/24/2024) - wife of Robin Rudd
+ John C. Schmitt (11/20/1933 - 1/3/2024) - father of Julie Schmitt Gersch
+ Tokchin Kim Easter (2/9/1953 - 12/28/2023) - mother of Ruth and Victoria Easter, wife of late Joseph Easter
+Rosalio Gomez Gutierrez (10/5/1995 - 11/26/2023)
+Elizabeth (Liz) Barham (3/15/1944 - 11/17/2023) - wife of Jim Barham
+David Lee Thomas (1/17/1962 - 11/7/2023) - brother/brother-in-law of Kathy Busch & Dr. Joe Busch
+Najah Dabit (11/15/1932 - 11/2/2023), mother of Sana Dabit
+Jovita Martínez (11/28/1974 - 10/30/2023)
+Sister Luke Hollerbach, O.P. (-9/22/2023) - of the Dominican Sisters of Nashville, teacher, from Chattanooga
+John Mahoney (8/29/1958 - 8/27/2023) - Basilica maintenance supervisor for 34 years
+Dr. Fred Schert (4/21/1947 - 8/26/2023)
+Rose Carparelli (6/27/1926 - 7/12/1923) - mother of Basilica Parish Secretary, Cathy Oliver
+Robert Lee Martin (12/7/1946 - 6/30/2023) - father of Robert C. Martin
+Charlotte Latta (deceased 6/22/2023)
+Myrtle Robinson (10/20/1927 - 6/18/2023)
+William Henry Barger (11/12/1942 - 6/3/2023) - co-founder of Barger & Nix, our Basilica organ builder
+Michael Buendia (11/15/1979 - 5/29/2023) (husband of Karmel, father of Isabella and Lucy)
+Dr. Daniel Richardson (3/3/1951 - 5/28/2023)
+Michael Thomas Brown (4/1/1943 - 5/16/2023)
+ Shirley Ann McCaleb Lautigar (5/5/1948 - 5/7/2023) - wife of Ron Lautigar & former leader of our Altar Ministry
+Carol Steiner Tubbs (12/28/1937 - 3/23/2023)
+Carlos Jimenez Francisco (11/4/1979 - 4/13/2023), husband of Micaela Juan y Juan
+John Clinton Rist (11/8/1928 - 3/17/2023), father of Bo Rist
+Mark Simonton (10/11/1948 - 3/11/2023), brother of Mary Crane
+Denis Mamedov (d. 2/4/2023), uncle of Fr. Valentin Iurochkin
+Marvin Leonel Hernández (1/29/1994 - 1/8/2023)