Please see "Funeral Planning Guide" at www.stjudeboca.org

“EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

PLANNING  FUNERALS FOR  YOUR LOVED

 ONES”

(Adapted from Funeral Planning Guide at

St. Jude Church, Boca Raton, Florida

“We are so sorry for your loss . . .”

First of all, if you are planning an immediate funeral, please accept the deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one from the St. Jude Priests, Staff, and Members, and please extend our condolences to your entire family.

This website has been designed to help the survivors plan a memorable funeral in which the readings and music will be planned personally by you.

(NOTE:  A funeral also may be pre-planned, using the information provided on this website.)

PROCEDURES FOR PLANNING A FUNERAL

Shock!

            Your wife/husband/child/parent/sister/brother just died from an automobile accident/ heart attack / stroke / aneurism / suicide / violent death / expected or unexpected death.  Even if you anticipated the death as the result of a terminal illness or even just old age, you are numb!  More than likely, you slip into denial, a phase where the death just does not seem possible.  It’s a surreal state of mind which provides self defenses for your body and soul which allow you to temporarily be protected from the immediate severe pain.  You can’t think.  You are confused and don’t know which way to turn. 

Usually, the body is taken to a local funeral home, where you will go to finalize the initial funeral planning.  The tasks of choosing a casket or arranging for cremation are very exhausting, and it is best to have a companion with you at that time. The funeral director will offer you guidance about scheduling the funeral and will make specific arrangements for the funeral with the church.  At this point, if there is a particular priest whom you would like to preside at the funeral, mention this to the funeral director.  Every effort will be made to coordinate the priest’s schedule to accommodate your wishes.  There are times, though, if a priest is ill or out of town, another available priest will be scheduled.

The Funeral Planning Visit

            After your visit to the funeral home, the church office is officially informed of the date, time, and type* of the funeral  by the funeral home director.  (*If the body or ashes of the deceased are present, then a Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated.  If neither is present, a Memorial Mass is celebrated.  There is very little difference in these two Masses.)

            A member of the Parish Bereavement Ministry is then notified and will call you to make an appointment with you to visit you for a Consolation Call/Funeral Planning Visit. He or she will be your representative to the Church and will handle many details for you, as well as pray for you and your family.  This planning meeting may take place in your home or at the church. Time is of the essence, so it is important to arrange this visit as soon as possible after the death notification.

            During this visit, you will be asked to make several decisions as you and the Minister of Consolation, as well as participating family members or friends, together plan the Mass.

            Planning a loved one’s funeral may sound morbid, but it actually is a strong sign of love and faith.  Choosing the readings or particular songs that were your loved one’s favorites is a privilege and, years from now, you will remember the beauty of the “customized, personalized” Mass for your loved one.  Your participation in the planning process is part of the healing process for you.  At a time when you may feel helpless and unfocused, this planning provides you with concrete direction . . . you are not helpless or scattered . . .  at least in the planning process.  Planning a funeral also helps you and other family members get in touch with the reality of the death and takes you out of the “surreal denial” phase, if only for a short time.

            The “Liturgy Planning Form” below outlines the information which will be appear on the funeral programs that will be distributed at the beginning of the funeral.  It is important for you to consider seriously whether or not any of the people you are choosing to participate can reasonably handle the task emotionally.  These people will be given an instruction sheet so they will know exactly how and when they do their part, and if they are readers, they will have copies of the readings to rehearse outloud before the funeral.  If one of them simply cannot do it on the day of the funeral, the Minister of Consolation will take over for them, or stand with them at the microphone encouraging them.

Tasks

1.  Choose three readings (First Reading, Second Reading and the Gospel) and choose five to eight intercessions  from the list. These intercessions can my composed by the family but should be written out ahead of time.

2.  Choose the readers (lectors) for these readings and intercessions (not for the Gospel, though, since the priest will read that.)

3.  Choose two to four gift bearers (who may be children or grandchildren) who will        bring the bread and the wine, etc., to the altar.

            The people listed above will all be named in the program.  However, there are other people (who will not be named in the program) that you should be thinking about, too.  For instance, the pallbearers, the Eucharistic Ministers (if you want to choose friends who are trained and commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers in a Catholic Church), if you like.

4.  Provide particular information concerning:

            a.   whether or not military honors are                                        appropriate. If so, the funeral home makes                                these arrangements with the proper military                                service.

            b.  whom you might like to receive memorial                              donations “in lieu of flowers.”  These can be                  directed to any nonprofit organization. Many                 people ask their friends for donations to the                               Church, Hospice, a scholarship fund, a college              or university, etc.  The exact address is                          required for the funeral program.

            c.  whether or not you will be having a reception after                the funeral. Where? Is everyone invited?                                    Directions. Note:  The

5.  Music:  If you desire music for the funeral, you must call the Music Minister, Rosemary Stone, at 561-482-1414.  She will direct you in making appropriate musical choices.

6.  Costs:  Normally, the costs for the use of the church and and the music costs  are included in the comprehensive bill provided by the Funeral Home.  (Please check with the funeral director for the current costs.)  If the funeral home does not provide this billing, separate checks should then be written to St. Jude Church  and to the St. Jude Music Ministry.

Flowers:  Arrangements for flowers must be made directly with the florist and may be taken after the funeral to the reception or your home.  If left at the Church they will be viewed by parishioners as a remembrance of your loved ones.

Liturgy Planning Form  for the

Funeral Mass   for:

Date of Birth:___________  Date of Death:_____________

Date & Time of Mass:______________________      

Presider: _______________________

Requested Hymns: (If the family requests music, Rosemary Stone will plan all of it with the family.  Call her directly at 561-482-1414.)

Readings:

First Reading:  _________________ Lector:  ___________

Second Reading:  _______________ Lector:  ___________

Gospel: _____________________      (Read by priest.)

Intercessions: #’s_________________Lector: __________

Gift Bearers:

1.  _____________________________

2.  _____________________________

3.  _____________________________

4.  _____________________________

Family Contact:   _____________Phone:_______________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________

Minister of Consolation:  ________________________Phone__________

Military Honors____                                 Reception ____

Family wishes memorial to go to:

__________________________________________

Eulogy

It is preferable that the eulogy should be given at the pre-funeral visitation or at the post-funeral reception.   If given at the end of Mass, only one short (5 min. or less) eulogy is permitted.  This remembrance must not be a mere travelogue or biography, but must be set in the context of Christian faith.  Must be written and read, not “rambled.”

 (Family should choose one reading from the Old Testament , one from the New Testament, one Gospel reading, and five to eight  Intercessions.)

Suggested Readings According to the the Funeral

Ritual

First Readings, from the Old Testament

1.         I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

A Reading from the Book of Job

                                    ( Job Ch. 19, Vs. 1, 23-27a )

Then Job answered and said:

Oh, would that my words were written down!

            Would that they were inscribed in a record:

That with an iron chisel and with lead

            they were cut in the rock forever!

But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,

            and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;

Whom I myself shall see:

            my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him,

And from my flesh I shall see God;

            my inmost being is consumed with longing.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

2.

              A Reading from the Book of Wisdom

                                    (a. short version:  Ch. 3, Vs. 1-6)

                                    (b. longer version: Ch. 3, Vs. 1-9)

(a., b.) 

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,

            and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;

            and their passing away was thought an affliction

            and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished,

            yet is their hope full of immortality;

Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,

            because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them,

            and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

(b. continues)

 In the time of their visitation they shall shine,

            and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;

They shall judge nations and rule overpeoples,

        and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth,

            and the faithful shall abide with him in love:

Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,

            and his care is with his elect.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

3.         He who pleased God was loved!

            (for young or middle aged deceased person)

A Reading from the Book of Wisdom

                                    (Ch. 4, Vs. 7-14)

But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.

For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time,

            nor can it be measured in terms of years.

Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,

            and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.

He who pleased God was loved;

            he who lived among sinners was transported-

Snatched away lest wickedness pervert his mind

            or deceit beguile his mind.

For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right

            and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent       mind.

Having become perfect in a short while,

            he reached the fullness of a long career;

            for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,

            therefore he sped him out of the midst of     wickedness.

But the people saw and did not understand,

            nor did they take this into account.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

4.         The Lord God will destroy death forever!

A Reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah

                                    (Ch. 25, Vs. 6a, 7-9)

On this mountain the Lord of hosts

            will provide for all peoples...

On this mountain he will destroy

            the veil that veils all peoples,

The web that is woven over all nations;

            he will destroy death forever.

The Lord God will wipe away

the tears from all faces;

The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth;

            for the Lord has spoken.

On that day it will be said:

"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!

            This is the Lord for whom we looked;

            let us rejoice and be glad that he saved us!

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

5.

Old Testament

First Reading

Eccl:  3: 1-8

A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes

                                                (EE-cleas-ee-as-tees)

There is an appointed time for everything,

And a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die;

            A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

            A time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

            A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them;

            A time to embrace, and a time to be far from           embraces.

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

            A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

            A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate;

            A time of war, and a time of peace.

 (pause) . . .   The Word of the Lord.

6.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Isaiah 55: 6, 8 – 9; 43:1,4 

A reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah

Seek the Lord while he may be found,

Call him while he is near.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord.

“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

Thus says the Lord, “Be not afraid.  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you.”

(Pause)

The Word of the Lord

7.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19–20, 30-31

A reading from the Book of Proverbs

When one finds a worthy wife,

Her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,

has an unfailing prize.

She brings him good and not evil,

All the days of her life.

She reaches out her hands to the poor,

And extends her arms to the needy.

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her a reward of her labors,

And let her works praise her at the city gates.

(Pause)

The Word of the Lord

8. 

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Song of Songs 2:8 -14

A reading from the Song of Songs

Set me as a seal on your heart,

As a seal on your arm;

For stern as death is love,

Relentless as the nether world is devotion;

Its flames ae a blazing fire.

Deep waters cannot quench love,

Nor floods sweep it away. 

Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,

He would be roundly mocked.

 (Pause)

The Word of the Lord

9. 

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Sirach 44: 1, 10 - 15

A reading from the Book of Sirach

Pronounced “  “Sear-ack”

Now I will praise those godly men,

our ancestors, each in his own time;

those godly men whose virtues

have not been forgotten.

Their wealth remains in their families,

their heritage with their descendants.

Through God’s covenant with them

their family endures,

their posterity for their sake.

And for all time, their progeny will endure,

Their glory will never be blotted out. 

Their bodies are peacefully laid away,

but their name lives on and on.

At gatherings their wisdom is retold,

And the assembly proclaims their praise.

 (Pause)

The Word of the Lord 

10.          First Reading, from the Old Testament

Isaiah 35: 1-6, 10

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

The desert and the parched land will exult;

The steppe will rejoice and bloom.

They will bloom with abundant flowers,

And rejoice with joyful song.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to the,

The splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

They will see the glory of the Lord,

The splendor of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeble,

Make firm the knees that are weak;

Say to those whose hearts are frightend:

be strong, fear not!

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,

The ears of the deaf be cleared;

Then will the lame leap like a stag,

Then the tongue of the dumb will sing.

Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return

And enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy;

They will meet with joy and gladness,

Sorrow and mourning will flee.

 (Pause)

The Word of the Lord 

11.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Isaiah 61: 1-3

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me

Because the Lord has anointed me;

He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,

To heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And release to the prisoners.

To announce a year of favor from the Lord,

And a day of vindication by our God,

to comfort all who mourn;

to place on those who mourn in Zion

a diadem instead of ashes.

To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning,

A glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.

They will be called oaks of justice,

Planted by the Lord to show his glory.

 (Pause)

The Word of the Lord 

12.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Isaiah 65:17-20,25

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;

The things of the past shall not be remembered

nor come to mind.

Instead, there shall always be rejoicing

and happiness in what I create;

For I create Jerusalem to be a joy

And its people to be a delight;

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people.

No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there

Or the sound of crying;

No longer shall there be in it an infant

who lives but a few days,

Or a young man who does not round out his full lifetime.

The wolf and the lamb shall graze alike,

And the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

None shall hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

 (Pause)

The Word of the Lord .

13.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Ezekial 37:12-14

A Reading from the book of Ezekial

Therefore, prophesy and say to them:  Thus says the Lord God:  O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.

Then you shall know that  I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have your rise from them, O my people.  I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus shall know that I am the Lord.  I have promised, and I will do it says the Lord.

(Pause)

The Word of the Lord 

14.

First Reading, from the Old Testament

Ezekial 37:12-14

A Reading from the book of Ezekial

Therefore, prophesy and say to them:  Thus says the Lord God:  O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.

Then you shall know that  I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have your rise from them, O my people.  I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus shall know that I am the Lord.  I have promised, and I will do itk say the Lord.

(Pause)

The Word of the Lord

Second Readings, from the New Testament

We wait for our bodies to be set free!

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

                                    (Ch. 8, Vs. 14-23)

For those who are led by the spirit of God are children of God.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry,  "Abba, Father!"

The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,

if only we suffer with him

so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.

For creation awaits with eager expectation

 the revelation of the children of God;

for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

6.         Nothing can really come between us and the love of Christ!

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

                                    (Ch. 8, Vs. 31-35, 37-39)

...If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen one? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn?

It is Christ (Jesus) who dies, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

7.         Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord!

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

                                    (Ch. 14, Vs. 7-9, 10-12)

None of us lives for oneself,

and no one dies for oneself.

For if we live, we live for the Lord,

and if we die, we die for the Lord;

so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

This is why Christ died and came to life,

that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;

for it is written:

            "As I live, says the Lord,

            every knee shall bend before me,

            and every tongue shall give praise to God."

So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God).

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

8.         In Christ shall all be brought to life!

A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

(a. Short version: 1 Corinthians Ch. 15, Vs. 20-23)

(b. Long version: 1 Corinthians Ch. 15, Vs. 20-24a, 25-28)

(a., b.)

But now Christ has been raised from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since death came through a human being,

the resurrection of the dead also came through a human being.

For just as in Adam all die,

so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,

but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits;

then at his coming, those who belong to Christ;

(b. continues)

then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father...For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death,

for he subjected everything under his feet.

But when it says that everything has been subjected,

it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.When everything is subjected to him,

then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one

who subjected everything to him,

so that God may be all in all.

…..The Word of the Lord.

…..Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

10a.     We have that spirit of faith . . .

A Reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

            ( 2 Corinthians Ch. 4, Vs.  1- Ch. 5 Vs. 1)

We have that spirit of faith of which the Scripture says, “Because I believed, I spoke out.”  We believe and so we speak, knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up along with Jesus and place both us and you in his presence. Indeed everything is ordered to your benefit, so that the grace bestowed in abundance may bring greater glory to God because they who give thanks are many.

We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.  The present burden of our trial is light enough, and earns for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.  We do not fix our gaze on what is seen but on what is unseen. What is seen is transitory; what is unseen lasts forever.

Indeed, we know that when the earthly tent in which we dwell is destroyed, we have a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

10.       We have a building...eternal in Heaven!

A Reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians    ( 2 Corinthians Ch. 5, Vs. 1, 6-10 )

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, shall be destroyed,

we have a building from God,

a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in Heaven...

So we are always courageous,

although we know that while we are at home in the body

we are away from the Lord,

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.

Therefore, we aspire to please him,

whether we are home or away.

For we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ,

so that each one may receive recompense,

according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

13.       If we have died with him, we shall also live with him!

A Reading from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy

                                    ( 2 Timothy Ch. 2, Vs. 8-13 )

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,

a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal.

But the word of God is not chained.

Therefore, I bear with everything

for the sake of those who are chosen,

so that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,

together with eternal glory.

This saying is trustworthy:

            If we had died with him

                        we shall also live with him.

            if we persevere

                        we shall also reign with him.

            But if we deny him

                        he will deny us.

            If we are unfaithful

                        he remains faithful,

                        for he cannot deny himself.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading, from the New Testament

14.       We shall see him as he is.

A Reading from the first letter of John

                                    ( 1 John Ch. 3, Vs. 1-2 )

See what love the Father has bestowed on us

that we may be called the children of God.

Yet so we are.

The reason the world does not know us

is that it did not know him.

Beloved, we are God's children now;

what we shall be

has not been revealed.

We do know that when it is revealed

we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is.

Everyone who has this hope based on him

makes himself pure, as he is pure.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

Second Reading, from the New Testament

18.       There shall be no more death!

A Reading from the Book of Revelation

                                    ( Revelation Ch. 21, Vs. 1-5a, 6b-7 )

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.

The former heaven and the former earth have passed away,

and the sea was no more.

I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride for her husband.

I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"Behold God's dwelling is with the human race.

He will dwell with them and they will be his people

and God himself will always be with them ( as         their God.)

He will wipe every tear from their eyes

and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, ( for ) the old order has passed away. "

The one who sat on the throne said,

            "Behold I make all things new."

Then he said,

            "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."

He said to me,

            "...To the thirsty I will give a gift

         from the spring of life-giving water,

            The victor shall inherit these gifts,

            and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading

(2 Timothy 4:6-8)

A Reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy:

            I, for my part, am already being poured out like a libation.  The time of my dissolution is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

            From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judget that he is, will award it to me—and not only to me, but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.

(Pause) . . . The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Reading

1.         Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

                                    ( Ch. 5, Vs. 1-12a )

Glory to you, O Lord.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

            for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

            Blessed are they who mourn,for they shall be                                 comforted.

            Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

            Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for                          righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

            Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown                            mercy.

            Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see                              God.

            Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be                                called children of God.

            Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake                          of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of                  heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and utter       every kind of evil against you ( falsely )       because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

2.         For although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, you have revealed them to the childlike!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

                                    ( Ch. 11, Vs. 25-30 )

Glory to you, O Lord

At that time Jesus said in reply,

            "I give praise to you, Father,

            Lord of heaven and earth,

            for although you have hidden these things

            from the wise and learned

            you have revealed them to the childlike.

            Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

            All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

            No one knows the Son except the Father,

            and no one knows the Father except the Son

            and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

            "Come to me,

            all you who labor and are burdened,

            and I will give you rest.

            Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

            for I am meek and humble of heart;

            and you will find rest for yourselves.

            For my yoke is easy,

            and my burden light."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

11.       Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life,

          and I shall raise him ( on ) the last day!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

                                    ( Ch. 6, Vs. 37-40 )

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to them,

"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,

and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,

because I came down from heaven not to do my own will

but the will of the one who sent me.

And this is the will of the one who sent me,

that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,

but that I should raise it ( on ) the last day.

For this is the will of my Father,

that everyone who sees the Son

and believes in him

may have eternal life,

and I shall raise him up ( on ) the last day."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

12.      Whoever eats this bread will live forever!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

                                    ( Ch. 6, Vs. 51-58 )

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to them,

            " I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever;

and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

They quarreled among themselves, saying, " How can this man give us ( his ) flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them,

            "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven.

Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,whoever eats this bread will live forever."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

13.      I am the resurrection and the life!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

( a. Long Version: Ch. 11, Vs. 17-27 )

( b. Short Version:Ch. 11, Vs. 21-27 )

                        Glory to you, O Lord.

(a.)  When Jesus arrived at Bethany,he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.The village was not far from Jerusalem-just under two miles- and many Jewish people had come out to console Martha and Mary over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him, while Mary sat at home.

( a. continues, and b. begins )

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. Even now, I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask of him." "Your brother will rise again," Jesus assured her. "I know he will rise again," Martha replied, "in the resurrection of the last day."

            Jesus told her:"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

            "Yes, Lord," she replied. "I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God; he who is to come into the world."

The Gospel of the Lord.       Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

16.     In my Father's house there are many dwelling places!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

                                    ( Ch. 14, Vs. 1-6 )

Glory to you, O Lord.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You have faith in God: have faith also in me.

In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.

If there were not, would I have told you

that I am going to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come back and take you to myself,

so that where I am you also may be.

Where ( I ) am going you know the way."

Thomas said to him,

 "Master, we do not know where you are going;

how can we know the way?"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way

and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading

17.     Father, ... I wish that where I am they also may be with me!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

                                    ( Ch.17, Vs. 24-26 )

Glory to you, O Lord.

Father, they are your gift to me.

I wish that where I am they also may be with me,

that they may see my glory that you gave me,

because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Righteous Father,

the world also does not know you,

but I know you,

and they know that you sent me.

I made known to them your name

and I will make it known,

that the love with which you loved me

may be in them and I in them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

              General Intercessions

Please give some thought about the titles used in the petitions. Let whoever is chosen to read the petitions know if you would like the deceased referred to by some special name. The first intercession should refer to the whole church or the whole world ( #1 or 2 must be used). A total of five to eight intercessions should be chosen.

Celebrant: (will pray a prayer of introduction first)

1. For the church, that it may live with a deep faith in the resurrection of Jesus and the life of the world to come. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

2. For the church throughout the world, that it may celebrate and revere the lives of all God's people. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

3. For__________, who received the light of Christ in Baptism, that  ____(he/she)_______may live among the saints of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

4. For__________, who struggled in life to be faithful to God's call, that _(he/she)_______may hear the voice of God's welcoming. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our  prayer.

5. For _________, who was given the pledge of eternal life in Baptism, that_(he/she)____  may now be admitted to the company of angels. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

6. (A child) God gave________ life.  __(He/She)_______is now among the angels and saints. May God strengthen _____'s family and friends. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

7. For the family and friends of __________, that God may help them to hope in eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

8. For those who serve us in caring ministries, that they may experience God's presence in their work. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

9. For a deeper awareness of those in need, for a deeper appreciation of care-givers, and for a greater desire to serve the poor. Let us pray to the Lord.       Lord, hear our prayer.

10. That like ____________, we may speak for peace and justice for all God's people. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

11. For us who are assembled here in faith, that we will be gathered again in God's Kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

12. That our tears for __________ may be turned into dancing in the awareness of  the life that ___(he/she)__________ now experiences in heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

13. That the Eucharist that we celebrate may make us thankful for the many gifts that God has showered upon us. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

14. That we may be able to turn over our fears and thoughts to God who gives us shelter and leads us by the quiet waters of peace.

      Let us pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.

15. We ask God to embrace and welcome all of the deceased, especially those who have died without the companionship of family and friends. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.

Celebrant will pray a concluding prayer

INSTRUCTIONS for Lectors, Gift Bearers at Funeral

Lector for first reading

Immediately after the opening prayer, while the people are sitting down, walk up to the ambo (pulpit) and take your place.  You do not need to carry the reading with you.  It will be on the ambo.  Adjust the microphone to your height.  Read the reading and finish with “The word of the Lord.”  Be especially careful as you step down from the ambo and return to your seat.  Hints:  Prepare ahead of time.  Read it out loud multiple times.  Read slowly.  Pause at periods.  Speak up because the audio system expects a strong voice.

Lector for the second reading