Mass Book Readings

Philippians 3: 20-21

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians.

For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these mortal bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

The word of the Lord.

Prayer of the Faithful

Choose 1 prayer from each section

For the one who has died

For N., a child of God and heir to the kingdom, that he/she may be held securely in God’s loving embrace now and for all eternity.

That God in his mercy may blot out all N.’s offences, establish him/her in light and peace, and call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints.

That God will receive our praise and thanksgiving for the life of N.

In baptism, N. received the light of Christ. Let us pray that God will now scatter the darkness and lead him/her over the waters of death.

For the bereaved family

The family and friends of N. seek comfort and consolation. Let us pray that God will heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief.

For the family and friends of our brother/sister N. that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.

That all of us, N’s family and friends, may be comforted in our grief.

For N.’s family (especially his/her mother, father, brother, sister…), that they may feel the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief.

For the assembled mourners

For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God’s kingdom.

We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N. Let us pray that God will strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of the coming of Christ.

That the Lord Jesus who blesses those who mourn and are in pain will look upon N.’s family and friends who gather around him/her today.

For us the Church, that we may prepare worthily for the hour of our death, when God will call us by name to pass from this world to the next.

For others who have died

That God may welcome into glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life (especially…).

Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. May God grant them an everlasting home with Christ.

Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Let us pray that all the faithful departed will find in God refreshment, rest, and peace.

For all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face.

For causes or organisations appropriate to the deceased

That God will grant release to all those who suffer from …

For the doctors and nurses at … who cared for N., that their works of service may be richly blessed.

N. fought for peace and freedom. May he/she now rest in peace and may people everywhere live free from oppression.

For the work of …, that those who are left will carry forward that for which N. so generously labored.

For other needs

That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God.

Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. May God show mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace.

For all parents who grieve over the death of their children, that they be comforted in the knowledge that their little ones dwell with God.

For those who cannot find hope and who live in the darkness of despair.

Psalm 103

Response: The Lord is kind and merciful.

or

Response: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him; for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field; the wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear; his justice reaches out to children’s children when they keep his covenant in truth.

Psalm 115 & 116

Response: I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

or

Response: Alleluia!

How gracious is the Lord, and just; our God has compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearts; I was helpless so he saved me.

I trusted, even when I said: ‘I am sorely afflicted,’ and when I said in my alarm: ‘No man can be trusted’.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.

Psalm 122

Response: I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord.

or

Response: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray: ‘Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!’

For love of my brethren and friends I say: ‘Peace upon you!’ For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good.

Psalm 130

Response: Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.

or

Response: I hope in the Lord, I trust in his word.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak.

Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.

Psalm 143

Response: O Lord, hear my prayer.

Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal. You are faithful, you are just; give answer. Do not call your servant to judgement for no-one is just in your sight.

I remember the days that are past: I ponder all your works. I muse on what your hands have wrought and to you I stretch out my hands. Like parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste to give an answer: for my spirit fails within me. In the morning let me know your love for I put my trust in you.

Teach me to do your will for you, O Lord, are my God. Let your good spirit guide me in the ways that are level and smooth.

Psalm 23

Response: The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

or

Response: Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures; where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me; to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness; no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff: with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

Psalm 25

Response: To You, O Lord, I lift my soul.

or

Response: No one who waits for you, O Lord, will ever put to shame.

Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old.

In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.

Relieve the anguish of my heart and set me free from my distress.

See my affliction and my toil and take all my sins away.

Preserve my life and rescue me. Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.

My innocence and uprightness protect me: for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Psalm 27

Response: The Lord is my Light and Salvation.

or

Response: I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

The Lord is my light and my help, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.

O Lord hear my voice when I call, have mercy and answer. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face.

I am sure I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in God, hold firm and take heart, hope in the Lord.

Psalm 42

Response: My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?

Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?

These things will I remember as I pour out my soul: how I would lead the rejoicing crowd into the house of God amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, the throng wild with joy.

Psalm 63

Response: My Soul is Thirsting for You, O Lord My God.

O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise.

So I will bless you all my life; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet; my mouth shall praise you with joy.

You have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast.

Revelation 14: 13

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, “Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.”

The word of the Lord.

Revelation 21: 4

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

The word of the Lord.

Romans 14: 7-12

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord of the dead and of the living.

We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God; as Scripture says:

By my life – it is the Lord who speaks – every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore, that each of us must give an account of himself.

The word of the Lord.

Romans 5: 17-21

If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who received the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man’s disobedience many will be made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. When law came, it was to multiply the opportunities of falling, but however great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater; and so, just as sin reigned wherever there was death, so grace will reign to bring eternal life thanks to the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Romans 5: 5-11

Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Romans 6: 3-9

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.

When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.

If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection. We must realise that our former selves have been crucified with him to destroy this sinful body and to free us from the slavery of sin. When a man dies, of course, he has finished with sin.

But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.

The word of the Lord.

Romans 8: 14-23

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again: it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well; heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory. I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39

With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.

Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.

For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
Or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Something Beautiful Remains

The tide recedes but it leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle warmth
still lingers on the land.
The music stops, yet somehow
continues in sweet refrain.
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.

Martha Vashti Pearson

Special Gifts

When we count our many blessings
it isn’t hard to see,
that life’s most valued treasures
are the treasures that are free.
For it isn’t what we own or buy
that signifies our wealth,
it’s the special gifts that have no price …
Our family, friends and health.

Thank You Message 1

The …. Family wish to
express their deep appreciation
and shall always remember
your kind and comforting
expressions of sympathy in their
recent sad bereavement.

Thank You Message 2

Of great comfort during
our sorrow were
the expressions of sympathy
conveyed to us in
so many ways.
Your thoughtfulness was
deeply appreciated
and we thank you most
sincerely.

Thank You Message 3

Thank you for the comforting
expressions of sympathy
conveyed to us in so many ways
during our sad bereavement.
Your thoughtfulness
was deeply appreciated.

Thank You Message 4

The family of the late
………………………
wish to thank you sincerely
for your kind
expressions of sympathy
during our sad
bereavement.

Thank You Message 5

Her unconditional love
touched all who knew her.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks
for your cards, floral tributes,
expressions of sympathy and support
during our sad loss.

Thank You Message 6

We thank you most sincerely
for your comforting thoughts
which have been a great support
in this time of sorrow.

Thank You Message 7

The …………. Family wish to
thank you most sincerely for
your attendance here today.

Your expressions of sympathy,
cards and floral tributes are
greatly appreciated in
our time of sorrow.

Thank You Message 8

Her unconditional love
touched all who knew her.

Thank you for sharing this time
with our family.

Thank You Message 9

The family wishes to thank you
most sincerely for your
attendance here today.
Your expressions of sympathy
and support have been a great
comfort to them at this time.

That Man Is A Success

That man is a success
who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect
of intelligent men
and the love of children;
who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better
than he found it;
who has never lacked appreciation
of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.

That Woman Is A Success

That woman is a success
who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect
of intelligent people
and the love of children;
who has filled her niche
and accomplished her task;
who leaves the world better
than she found it;
who has never lacked appreciation
of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others
and gave the best she had.

The Ascending

I have passed a mountain peak and
my soul is soaring in the firmament
of complete and unbound freedom.
I am far, far away; my companions and the clouds
are hiding the hills from my eyes.
The valleys are becoming flooded with an
ocean of silence, and the hands of oblivion
are engulfing the roads and the houses;
The prairies and fields are disappearing
behind a white spectre that looks like
the spring cloud, yellow as the candlelight
and red as the twilight.
The songs of the waves and the hymns of the streams
are scattered,
and the voices of the throngs reduced to silence.
And I can hear naught, but the music of eternity
in exact harmony with the spirits’ desires.
I am cloaked in full whiteness;
I am in comfort; I am in peace.

Kahlil Gibran

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning
That God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly;
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

The Clock of Life

The clock of life is wound but once
And no-one has the power
To say just when the hands will stop,
The year, the day, the hour.

To lose your wealth is bad enough,
To lose your health is more,
To lose your soul a tragedy
That no one can restore.

Today alone you call your own,
To do with as you will,
Don’t count upon tomorrow friends,
The hands may then be still.

The Measure of a Man

Not how did he die, but how did he live.
Not what did he gain, but what did he give.
These are the units, to measure the worth,
of a man, as a man, regardless of birth.
Not what was his station, but had he a heart
And how did he play his God given part,
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer,
to bring back a smile, to banish a tear.
Not what was his church nor what was his creed,
but had he defended those really in need.
Not what did the sketch in the newspapers say,
but how many were sorry that he’d passed away.

The Memory of Her Life

The memory of her life
lived in peace and harmony,
and entirely dedicated
to the family,
will remain ineffable
in the minds of all those
who knew and loved her.

The Memory of His Life

The memory of his life
lived in peace and harmony,
and entirely dedicated
to the family,
will remain ineffable
in the minds of all those
who knew and loved him.