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 Amy McKay at [email protected]
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.
+Marvin Leonel Hernández (1/29/1994 - 1/8/2023)
+Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (4/16/1927-12/31/2022)
+Betty Rose Stein (8/22/1932-12/19/2022)
+Souad Tannous (1/1/1933-12/19/2022)
+Ann Fox Miller (9/24/1933 - 12/5/2022)
+Robert Hall Kosky Sr (11/17/1932-11/25/2022)
+Dcn. Kenneth Conklin (4/24/1954-11/18/2022)
+James Thomas Sanders (9/13/1960-11/13/2022), father of Michelle Johann
+Fr. Christopher Riehl (11/7/1977 - 11/10/2022)
+Felipe de Jesús Cruz Vasquez (5/25/1982 - 10/8/2022)
+Yadira Elizabeth Vargas Vargas (2/14/2022 - 10/02/22), infant daughter of Florentina Vargas y Cesar López
+Mary Cecilia Brewer (4/2/1924 - 10/10/2022), former Sts. Peter & Paul secretary & NDHS bookkeeper
+Leigh Ann Phillips Womac (12/23/1969 - 9/26/2022), daughter of Judy McRae and mother of Madison McRae
+Rigoberto Tomas Pérez (1/2/1993 - 9/24/2022)
+Luerena Fleming (1/21/1927-9/18/2022) - survived by daughter Rita Fleming Lyttle and daughter-in-law Daisy Fleming
+Oliva Jarquin Peña (5/1/1988 – 8/14/2022) - survived by 12-year-old daughter, and her sister, Eva Jarquin
+James David Poole Sr. (dec. 7/24/2022) - survived by wife Billie Poole, daughters Jennifer and Jamie Lynn Poole, and son James David Poole Jr. in Texas
+Felipe Ramos-Lopez (11/20/1962 - 4/2/2022)
+Sandra Carter passed 3/20/22- her husband Ralph had passed 1/31/22; mother of Linda Carter and 7 other children
+Martha Rose Skelly (11/2/1946-3/2/2022), sister of Msgr. George Schmidt, wife of Larry Skelly
+Rudy Marquez (dec. 3/9/2022) - husband of former Basilica parish secretary, Lupita
+Marsha Conway Salter (9/1/1946 - 2/22/2022) - wife of Jim Salter, mother of Paige Hassel, passed on 2/22/22
+Ralph Carter (5/29/34-1/31/22) - husband of Sandy Carter, father of Linda Carter and 7 other children
+Catherine Ann Nuccio (4/18/57-1/26/22) - sister of Robert Nodes
+Ruby Hearon - mother of Lori Fountain
+Natalia Perez Soto (dec. 1/10/2022) - mother of Teresa Ortiz Perez
+Betty Hogan (3/1/1929 - 1/12/2022)
+Gwenivere Owen - grandmother of Rachel Williams (who is married to Jack Williams)
+James Monroe Price (2/7/1940 - 12/25/2021)
+Anita Holcomb (2/19/1940 - 12/19/2021)
+Jo Anne Gore Schmitt (12/15/1936-12/15/2021) - mother of Julie Schmitt Gersch (married to Kevin Gersch) and grandmother to Harrison, Holden, and Hannah
+Betty Rodela (1/14/1929 – 12/12/2021)- mother of Lou Rodela (who is married to Laina Rodela)
+Fr. Joe Brando (11/1/1943 - 12/9/2021)
+Lorelei Claire Truett (6/3/2007-12/2/2021) - daughter of Lance & Ashley, sister of Max & Clark
+James Williams Sr - grandfather of Jack Williams (who is married to Rachel Williams)
+Marie Awad 4/8/1926 - 11/7/2021