Sister Mary Thérèse of the Love of God Ann Elizabeth Bamford Born 3 rd September 1928 Died 21 st November 2015, Feast of Christ the King THE LORD IS RISEN, ALLELUIA
Entrance 1. O God, you search me and you know me. All my thoughts lie open to your gaze. When I walk or lie down you are before me: Ever the maker and keeper of my days. 2. You know my resting and my rising. You discern my purpose from afar, And with love everlasting you besiege me: In ev ry moment of life or death, you are. 3. Before a word is on my tongue, Lord, You have known its meaning through and through. You are with me beyond my understanding: God of my present, my past and future, too. 4. Although your Spirit is upon me, Still I search for shelter from your light. There is nowhere on earth I can escape you: Even the darkness is radiant in your sight. Welcome 5. For you created me and shaped me, Gave me life within my mother s womb. For the wonder of who I am, I praise you: Safe in your hands, all creation is made new. Reading Ephesians 3: 16 19. Psalm Ps 41 As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Gospel John 1:1-5, 9-14 16-18 Homily Canon Tony McKenty Intercessions Offertory 1. Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have ev ry thing I need. He lets me rest in the meadow and leads me to the quiet streams. He restores my soul and he leads me in the paths that are right: Lord, you are my shepherd, you are my friend. I want to follow you always, just to follow my friend. 2. And when the road leads to darkness, I shall walk there unafraid. Even when death is close I have courage, for your help is there. You are close beside me with comfort, you are guiding my way: 3. In love you make me a banquet for my enemies to see. You make me welcome, pouring down honour from your mighty hand,
and this joy fills me with gladness; it is too much to bear: 4. Your goodness always is with me and your mercy I know. Your loving kindness strengthens me always as I go through life. I shall dwell in your presence forever, giving praise to your name: Liturgy of the Eucharist Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Acclamation Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. At Communion This is my body, broken for you, bringing you wholeness, making you free, take it and eat it, and when you do, do it in love for me. This is my blood poured out for you, bringing forgiveness, making you free. Take it and drink it, and when you do, do it in love for me. Back to my Father soon I shall go. Do not forget me; then you will see I am still with you, and you will know you re very close to me.
Filled with my Spirit, how you will grow! You are my branches; I am the tree. If you are faithful, others will know you are alive in me. Love one another I have loved you, and I have shown you how to be free; serve one another, and when you do, do it in love for me. Faith hope and love, let these remain among you, faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love. Final prayer Eulogy Pat Bamford and Sister Angela As we leave the church Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Acknowledgements Bernadette Farrell O God you search me and you know me Bob Hurd As the deer longs (Psalm 42/43) Christopher Walker Because the Lord is my shepherd Christopher Walker Eucharistic responses - Celtic Jimmy Owens - This is my body Christopher Walker Faith, hope and love John Newton - Amazing grace Ernest Sands - May the choirs of angels After the Requiem All are invited to the hall for refreshments and to meet each other. During this time the Church will be open for anyone to pray quietly. Please sign our book in the hall. At 2.10pm we will take Mary Thérèse s body from the Church to the Crematorium. (Her ashes will be buried at a later date in the Community Cemetery at New Hall). As the coffin leaves the Church: May the choirs of angels come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise. May the Lord enfold you in his mercy. May you find eternal life.
The Bamford family and the Community are most grateful for the support received in these past weeks since Mary Thérèse died. The many letters, emails and cards all speak so wonderfully of the relationships she made with so many people. Thank you for being with us today to celebrate her life. For those who would like to make a donation in Mary Thérèse s memory the beneficiaries will be - New projects for our Sisters of the Resurrection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and St Helena Hospice in Colchester, where Mary Thérèse, known as Sister Ann, spent time as a Receptionist and as a Bereavement Counsellor. There will be a basket at the back of Church or any cheques payable to Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre can be sent to: 74 Howe Close, Colchester, CO4 3XD (If you would like your donation to be Gift Aided please put your address on the back of the cheque) If you would like to keep in touch with the Community please see our website www.canonesses.co.uk or to receive the Community Newsletter please email us with your information to admin@canonesses.co.uk
Reflections In the last weeks of her life Mary Thérèse was occupied with reading and reflecting on different texts including the Scriptures; Surprised by Hope by Bishop Tom Wright; God in All Things by Gerard W. Hughes; and Pope Francis recent Encyclical Laudato Si - On Care for our Common Home. It concludes: The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen. From Mary Thérèse s recent notes: At death there are no more tomorrows only a memory of yesterdays and an eternal present safe in God s hands. David Konstant I am a transient expression of your inexhaustible and eternal reality. Thomas Merton