2005 Funeral Mass Arrangements and Readings |
A Booklet is available from the Parish Secretary. This Booklet is for private circulation in the Parish of Tullamore only. The texts of the readings in this Booklet have been taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and Doubleday & Co. Inc. The front cover shows a Celtic Cross which combines the Cross with the Sun. The Cross reminds us of the death of Christ and the inevitability of death for each and every person. The Sun is a symbol of the Resurrection and a reminder of our Christian hope by which we look forward to eternal life.
Confronted with the deep mystery of death, human words are totally inadequate. The only word that carries authority is the Word of God. In the course of the Funeral Liturgy, we try to let that Word speak to the hearts of all who are grieving, so that all might hear and be comforted by the Christian message, that life is changed, not ended; when the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven (Preface for the Dead I). The Funeral Liturgy can be a most helpful step in the grieving process, so it is desirable that the relatives of the deceased work closely with the Priest in the preparation of the Funeral Liturgy. The readings from Scripture provide an opportunity to choose texts that speak to the bereaved in their own particular situation of grief. It is to be hoped that this booklet will help in the task of choosing suitable readings. How to use this booklet: Usually, at a Funeral Liturgy, a person will read one reading from the Old Testament and one Psalm. A second person will then read one reading from the New Testament and one Gospel Acclamation. It should be noted that sometimes the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation are sung. To summarise: 1st Reader: one Old Testament reading and Gospel Readings are not printed in this booklet. However, if you would like to discuss the choice of Gospel text, please feel free to consult the Priest who will be presiding at the Funeral Liturgy. Please also feel free to discuss with the Priest the preparation of the Prayer of the Faithful and Offertory Procession. The Priests of the Parish of Tullamore will be glad to discuss any aspect of the Funeral Liturgy with you. It is our wish that the Liturgy will be a time of prayer for your loved one and of consolation and hope for you. INDEX OF THEMES A help in choosing appropriate readings for the Mass
Gratitude Grief / sorrow A Person of Faith Death is not the end Trust in God The goodness of God
1. A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3,1-6.9) The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they did appear to die, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. This is the Word of the Lord. 2. A Reading from the Book of Lamentations (3,17-26) My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, "Gone is my glory, and all that I hoped for from the Lord". The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is gall to me! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. This is the Word of the Lord. 3. A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3,1-8) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: This is the Word of the Lord 4. A reading from the book of Ruth (1,8-17 passim) Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's house. And may the Lord be kind to you, as you have been kind to those who have died and to me." And she kissed them but they started to weep aloud. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people. But Ruth clung to her. This is the Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (49,8.14-16) Thus says the Lord: "In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you". But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me". This is the Word of the Lord. 6. A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah. (12,2-6) Truly, God is my salvation, This is the Word of the Lord. 7. A reading from the Book of Job (19,1.23-27) Job said: "O that these words of mine were written down, This is the Word of the Lord. 8. A Reading from the Book of Wisdom (4,7-15) The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest. This is the Word of the Lord. 9. A reading from the Prophet Daniel (12,1-3) I, Daniel, was doing penance when I received this message from the Lord: This is the Word of the Lord.
A reading from the second book of Maccabees (12,43-45) Judas, the leader of the Jews, took a collection from the people individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmae, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an altogether fine and noble action, in which he took full account of the resurrection. For if he had not expected the fallen to rise it would have been 'superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. This was why he had this atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin. This is the Word of the Lord. 11. A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (25,6-9) On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples This is the Word of the Lord.
12. A reading from the second book of Samuel (19,1-5) King David went up to the room over the gate and burst into tears, and weeping said, "My son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! Would I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!" Word was brought to Joab, "The king is now weeping and mourning for Absalom". And the day's victory was turned to mourning for all the troops, because they learned that the king was grieving for his son. And the troops returned stealthily that day to the town, as troops creep back ashamed when routed in battle. The king had veiled his face and was crying aloud, "My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!" This is the Word of the Lord. 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". This is the Word of the Lord RESPONSORIAL PSALMS 1. Ps 22 1. The Lord is my Shepherd, 2. He guides me along the right path, 3. You have prepared a banquet for me 4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
2. R: The Lord fills the earth with his love. Ps 32 1. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, 2. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. 3. May your love be upon us, O Lord, 3. R: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Ps 129 2. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, 3. My soul is waiting for the Lord, 4. Because with the Lord there is mercy
Ps 114 1. How gracious is the Lord, and just; 2. I trusted, even when I said: 3. O precious in the eyes of the Lord
1. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (5,5-11) This is the Word of the Lord. 2. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the 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 receives 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. This is the Word of the Lord 3. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (6,3-9) This is the Word of the Lord. 4. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (8,14-23) This is the Word of the Lord. 5. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (14,7-12) 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 both 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. This is the Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (8,31-35.37-39) If God is for us, 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 Jesus Christ? 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. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor anything that exists, nor anything still to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the Word of the Lord. 7. A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (15,20-28) This is the Word of the Lord. A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians I will tell you something that has been secret: that we are not all going to die, but we shall all be changed. This will be instantaneous, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet sounds. It will sound, and the dead will be raised, imperishable, and we shall be changed as well, because our present perishable nature must put on imperishability and this mortal nature must put on immortality. This is the Word of the Lord. 9. A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (4,14-5,1) So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen, but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. This is the Word of the Lord. 10. A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (5,1.6-10) We are always full of confidence, then, when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight - we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad. This is the Word of the Lord. 11. A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (3,20-21) 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 wretched 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. This is the Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy (2,8-13) Remember the Good News that I carry: "Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David"; it is on account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal - but they cannot chain up God's news. So I bear it all for the sake of those who are chosen so that in the end they may have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it. If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy. (4,6-8) As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have longed for his appearing. This is the Word of the Lord. 14. A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians We want you to be quite certain, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord's own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord's coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord forever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another. This is the Word of the Lord 15. A reading from the First Letter of St. John (3,1-2) Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, This is the Word of the Lord. A reading from the First Letter of St. Peter (1,3-9) Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons and daughters, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we can have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God's power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of the time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold - only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire - and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls. This is the Word of the Lord. 17. A reading from the Book of Revelation (14,3) 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". This is the Word of the Lord 18. A reading from the Book of Revelation (21,1-4) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, a beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, "You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone. This is the Word of the Lord. 19. Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen. It was for faith that our ancestors were commended. This is the Word of the Lord.
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APPENDIX - 1 Samples for use in preparing the Prayer of the Faithful 1. We pray for N who has died: - may God now welcome him/her into his heavenly home of eternal happiness and peace. 2. We pray for the relatives and friends of N, especially his/her wife/ husband N, his/her sons and daughters ….., his/her brothers and sisters ….., the members of his/her extended family, his/her neighbours and friends: - may God fill their hearts with his comfort and consolation. 5. As we pray that N will find eternal peace, we pray that the peace that is in heaven will touch the troubled parts of our world, our country, our parish, our homes and our hearts. 6. We pray for all who are ill at this time: - may God lay his healing hand on them and give them courage and hope. Lord, hear us 7. We pray for young people: - may they always value goodness, kindness and friendship. May they see the beauty of the gift of human life. May they come to know God the Father's love for each and every one of them. 8. We pray for all elderly people: - may they receive love and care from their families and friends and may they have courage to give witness to faith and to the hope of eternal life. 9. We pray for all who have died, especially the relatives and friends of N who have gone before him/her: - may God unite them all in the happiness and peace of his heavenly home. Appendix - 2 Guidelines for the Funeral Liturgy in the Diocese of Meath Funeral Mass: Readings at the Funeral Liturgy should be from this booklet, or, as otherwise agreed with the Priest. Music: The Parish will provide an Organist and Cantor, who will lead the singing at all Funeral Masses. Should the family wish to make other arrangements for the Mass they may do so. We are reminded that secular or non-religious songs are not permitted, and all music should be agreed with the priest before the Mass. Gifts: At the beginning of Mass the Priest will invite the family to bring symbols of the deceased person's life to the altar. The Bread and Wine will be taken to the altar before the Offertory of the Mass. Appreciations in the form of a eulogy given by a family member or friend of the deceased may not take place in the Church. Such eulogies may given at the graveside after the rite of committal.
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