Holy Cross Funeral Ministry Preparing to Celebrate the Funeral Mass I am the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. John 11:25-26 Revised Edition 1 2017
- Prayer of Commendation - (Taken from the Order of Christian Funerals) Into Your Hands, Father of Mercies, we commend our brothers and sisters in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, they will rise with Him on the last day. We give You thanks for the blessings which You bestowed upon them in this life: they are signs to us of Your goodness and of our fellowship with the Saints in Christ. Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of Paradise to your servants and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with You and with our brothers and sisters for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 2
FUNERAL LITURGY GUIDELINES AS SET BY THE BISHOP OF ROCKFORD BY HONORING THE REMAINS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED, WE SHOW HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION. We fully support, honor, and respect the body as we also strongly encourage the Rite of Christian Funerals with each of the families that we care for during their time of deep sorrow. It is important for survivors to respect the wishes of the deceased by honoring the deceased with the Rite of Christian Burial. If cremation is the choice of the deceased, the Church requests that the body be present, if at all possible, for the Cremation Rites Memorial Mass. When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy. In this case, the Vigil for the Deceased and related rites and prayers, as well as the Funeral Liturgy are celebrated as they are provided by the Church. The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. Proper Committal is required. A eulogy is not given in the church or during the Mass as it is not fitting with the Solemnity of the Liturgy. Likewise, the Prayers of the Faithful will be read by the Priest or Deacon. A eulogy may be given by family members at the Visitation, or at the luncheon. The body is the Temple of the Soul; therefore, we honor and respect the body at all times even in death! 3
SELECTIONS FOR MASS READINGS (Taken from the Order of Christian Funerals) First Reading (Old Testament) Make one selection. 1. Job 19:1; 23-27 I know that my Redeemer lives. 2. Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God. 3. Wisdom 4:7-14 A blameless life is a ripe old age. 4. Isaiah 25:6; 7-9 The Lord God will destroy death forever. 5. Lamentations 3:17-26 It is good to wait in silence for the Lord God to save. 6. Daniel 12:1-3 Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth, many will awake. 7. 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 It is good and holy to think of the dead rising again. 8. Sirach 2:1-11 In fire gold is tested. 4
Second Reading (New Testament) Make one selection. 1. Acts 10:34-43 God has appointed our Lord Jesus to judge everyone, alive and dead. 2. Romans 5:5-11 Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out. 3. Romans 5:17-21 Where sin increased, there grace abounded all the more. 4. Romans 6:3-9 Let us walk in newness of life. 5. Romans 8:14-23 We groan while we wait for the redemption of our bodies. 6. Romans 8:31-35; 37-39 Who can ever come between us and the love of Christ? 7. Romans 14:7-12 Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. 8. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24; 25-28 All people will be brought to life in Christ. 9. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Death is swallowed up in victory. 10. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 What is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal. 11. 2 Corinthians 5:1; 6-10 We have an everlasting home in heaven. 12. Philippians 3:20-21 Jesus will transfigure these bodies of ours to be like His glorious body. 13. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We shall stay with the Lord forever. 14. 2 Timothy 2:8-13 If we have died with Him, then we shall live with Him. 5
15. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 17-18 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 16. 1 John 3:1-2 We shall see God as He really is. 17. 1 John 3:14-16 We have passed from death to life. 18. Revelation 14:13 Happy are those who die in the Lord. 19. Revelation 20:11-21:1 The dead have been judged according to their works. 20. Revelation 21:1-7 There will be no more death. Gospel Reading Make one selection 1. Matthew 5:1-12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven. (The Beatitudes) 2. Matthew 11:25-30 Come to Me and I will give you rest. 3. Matthew 25:1-13 The bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him. 4. Matthew 25:31-46 Come, you whom My Father has blessed. 5. Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 Jesus sighed and breathed His last. 6. Luke 7:11-17 Young man, I say to you, arise. 7. Luke 12:35-40 Be prepared. You do not know the hour. 8. Luke 23:33; 39-43 Today you will be with Me in Paradise. 6
9. Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-6 Father, I put My life in Your hands. 10. Luke 24:13-16; 28-35 The Lord has truly been raised. 11. John 5:24-29 Whoever hears My word and believes has passed from death to life. 12. John 6:37-40 All who believe in the Son will have eternal life. 13. John 6:51-58 All who eat this bread will live forever. 14. John 11:17-27 I am the Resurrection and the Life. 15. John 11:32-45 Lazarus, come out. 16. John 12:23-28 If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest. 17. John 14:1-6 There are many rooms in My Father s house. 18. John 17:24-26 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. 19. John 19:17-18; 25-30 Jesus bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. 7
MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR THE FUNERAL MASS Music selections should be familiar. Funeral liturgies, as in any special rite of the Roman Catholic Church, should reflect the music sung on Sundays. Special requests that are not liturgical in nature (secular selections, recordings, etc.) are inappropriate for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Such music that is alien to our Faith robs the Mass of its power and integrity. Any special requests that may be in question, should be reviewed by the Director of the Resurrection Choir and the Pastor. For Funeral Masses, we offer the services of our Resurrection Choir. If you have a specific request regarding musicians, please notify the Director of the Resurrection Choir and the Pastor. Processional Make one selection. Be Not Afraid 450 Be Thou My Vision 452 Here I Am, Lord Holy, Holy, Holy! 562 I Heard the Voice 572 Jesus, Remember Me 595 The King of Love 784 We Gather Together 820 Jesus Lord Have Mercy 592 (Adoro Te) Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty 761 Ultima 807 All numbers are from the Saint Michael Hymnal 8
Responsorial Psalms Make one selection. Sung between the first two readings. Ps. 23: Shepherd Me, O God Ps. 25: To You, O Lord Ps. 27: The Lord is My Light and My Salvation Ps. 33: Let Your Mercy Be On Us Ps. 63: My Soul is Thirsting Ps. 95: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits Ps. 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful Ps. 131: Like a Child Rests Gospel Acclamations Make one selection. Celtic Alleluia Traditional Alleluia Praise To You (During Lent) Presentation of the Gifts Make one selection. Irish Blessing (Solo) Surely the Presence We Gather Together 820 You Are Mine The Prayer Of Saint Francis 724 Abide With Me 402 Jerusalem, My Happy Home 587 Lord Of All Hopefulness 622 All You Who Seek 422 9
Communion Make one selection. Hail, Mary, Gentle Woman Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All 593 O Jesus, We Adore Thee 667 O Lord, I Am Not Worthy 672 Taste and See Behold The Lamb 454 Who At Thy First Eucharist 624 Lord, When You Came To The Seashore 626 Panis Angelicus 709 or Solo Meditation/Solo Make one selection. Ave Maria (Schubert) Irish Blessing Panis Angelicus Go In Peace Song of Farewell Required. Recessional Make one selection. Amazing Grace 430 For All the Saints 523 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name 561 How Great Thou Art 569 On Eagle s Wings 698 The Strife is O er 787 Praise To The Lord 721 Jesus Lord Have Mercy 592 Military Hymns Army- God of our Fathers 538 Air Force Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts Navy and Marines Eternal Father 518 10
Guidelines for Family Participation in the Funeral Mass Placing of the Pall (omitted for Cremation or Memorial Mass) The Pall is the white cloth placed upon the casket after the Priest blesses the casket with Holy Water. The family members participating simply unfold the Pall and drape it evenly over the casket. The procession then proceeds to the front of the church. The immediate family will be seated to the left of the casket. Old and New Testament Readings The Old Testament reading is read following the Scripture Reading done by the Priest shortly after he arrives in the Sanctuary. He will say: You may be seated for the First Reading to be read by a family member. The reader will go to the side of the Sanctuary, bow respectfully and then proceed to the podium to recite the reading. Simply turn the page when finished; step down; bow and return to one s seat. The Resurrection Choir will sing the Psalm. The New Testament reading follows the singing of the Psalm. That is the signal for the next reader to go to the podium and follow the procedure stated above. Turn the page when finished; step down; bow and return to one s seat. Presentation of the Gifts Following the Homily and the Prayers of the Faithful, an Altar Server will proceed to the rear of the church with the large Crucifix. When he starts down the main aisle, that is the signal for the family representatives to go to the rear of the church. A member of the funeral ministry will be at the table to present the gifts to the family representatives. They will present the gifts to the Priest. He will bless the family representatives. They should bow and then return to their seats. 11
Our Wish for You... Dear Bereaved Family, It is our hope that the family members chosen to participate in your loved one s Funeral Liturgy will find this a memorable experience. It has been an honor and a privilege for our ministry to assist your family at this time of sorrow. Peace be with you and yours, Holy Cross Funeral Ministry Holy Cross Catholic Church Batavia, IL For more information about this Ministry please contact the Holy Cross Catholic Church Parish Office 630.879.4750 12
PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. (2 Maccabees 12:46) Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by St. Gertrude the Great According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our Lord that the following prayer, each time she piously recited it, would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory: Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen. Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church's teaching on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence, Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304; Ecumenical Council of Trent, Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de purgatorio: DS 1820). (From Pope St. John Paul II at the General Audience of Wednesday, 4 August 1999) May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 13
Jesus, I trust in You. Holy Cross Catholic Church Holy Cross Funeral Ministry 2300 Main Street Batavia, Illinois 60510-7625 (630) 879-4750 14
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