Saint Joseph Church, Fullerton
PLANNING SHEET FOR THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

(Please remove this sheet from the booklet and give the completed sheet to a member of the Pastoral Staff at the wake service.)

 

Introductory Rites

 Opening Hymn (You have the opportunity to select an appropriate hymn from the list on Page: 28 which the music director will use during the liturgy.

_____________________________________________________

Sign of the Cross, Greeting, Sprinkling

Placing of Pall on Casket: _______________________________(You may list up to four people)

 Opening Prayer

 Liturgy of the Word

First Reading (You may choose one from the Old Testament list. Pages: 4-10)

Text: ______________Reader:______________________

 Responsorial Psalm (Usually sung by the parish cantor.)

 Second reading: (optional to have a 2nd reading.  You may choose one from the New Testament list. Pages: 11-24)

Text: ______________Reader:_______________________

 Gospel: (Father or the Deacon will choose & proclaim this reading)

 Homily (Done by the priest or deacon.)

 Prayer of Intercession (You may ask someone to read them or a parish member will do them. Can be selected from optional texts on pp 25, 26 & 27 or created individually.

#_____Reader____________________________________

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Offertory Hymn(see page 28)____________________________

Preparation of the Gifts & Altar :( You may choose up to four family members or friends to bring up the gifts.) ______________________________

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion Hymn(see page 28)__________________________

Post-Communion Reflection (Eulogy)
(You may choose to have ONE member of the family or a friend speak briefly about the deceased –
no more than five minutes-)

Name __________________________________________________ 

Prayer after Communion

Final Commendation

Invitation to Prayer

Song of Farewell

Prayer of Commendation

Closing Hymn(see page 28)_______________________________

Procession to the Place of Committal (Cemetery)

 

Readings
The word of God is of great importance in the funeral rite. The readings proclaim the meaning that Christ himself gave to death, teach us to remember the dead, nourish our hope of being gathered together again in God’s kingdom, and encourage us to live the Christian life. Above all, the readings tell of God’s design for a world in which suffering and death will be destroyed. In the readings all present have an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears and hopes. To make this easier for the family, the Catholic Church has pre-selected a number of Biblical passages which are appropriate for the occasion of a funeral. Please look over these passages as part of your funeral preparations, and find those words which speak to your heart.

Note: In the celebration of the word of God at the funeral liturgy, the biblical readings may not be replaced. However, an additional reading, inspired by faith, could be appropriate as a meditation after the homily.

Old Testament Selections
First Reading

~1. I Know That My Vindicator Lives: Job 19:1, 23-27

 A reading from the book of Job:

Job answered Bildad the Shuhite 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.

~2A. As Sacrificial Offerings He Took Them To Himself:

  Long Version: Wisdom 3:1-9

A reading from the book of Wisdom

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 at peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope is 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 tried them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

In the time of their visitation they will shine, and shall dart about as sparks through the stubble;

They will judge nations and rule over peoples, 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

 ~2B. Short Version: Wisdom 3:1-6. 9

A reading from the book of Wisdom

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 at peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope is 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 tried them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

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

~3. An unsullied life, the attainment of old age: Wisdom 4:7-15

A reading from the book of Wisdom

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 soul;

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

~4. He Will Destroy Death Forever:

Isaiah 25: 6, 7-9

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

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 has saved us!”

The Word of the Lord

~5. It Is Good To Hope In Silence for the Saving Help of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:17-26

A reading from the book of Lamentations

My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is;

I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord.

The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall;

Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me.

But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent;

They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.

My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Good is the Lord to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him;

It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord

~6. Some Of Those Who Sleep In The Dust Of The Earth Shall Awake.  Daniel 12:1-3

 A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel

             In those days, I, Daniel, mourned and heard this word of the Lord:

At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people;

It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time.

At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

Some shall live forever,

others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament,

And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

             The Word of the Lord

 ~7. He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.  2 Maccabees 12:43-46

 A reading from the second book of Maccabees

Judas, the ruler of Israel, took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.

In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view: for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.

But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.

Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

The Word of the Lord

~8. "...A time to be born, a time to die..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes

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.

What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task which God has appointed for men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without men's ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

 The Word of the Lord

 

 

New Testament Readings

(Second Reading)

~1A. He is the one Appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.  Long Version: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43

 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

 Peter proceeded to speak, saying:

“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.

Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.

You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.

He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.

We are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.

They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

The Word of the Lord

 ~1B. Short Version:

Acts of the Apostles 10: 34-36, 42-43

 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

 Peter proceeded to speak, saying:

“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.

Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.

You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

 The Word of the Lord

~2. Since we are now justified by his Blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath.

Romans 5:5-11

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

 Brothers and sisters:

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly.

Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might find courage to die.

But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.

Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 The Word of the Lord

 ~3. Where Sin Increased, Grace Overflowed All The More. Romans 5:17-21

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

 Brothers and sisters:

If, by the transgression of the one,

death came to reign through that one,

how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification

come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man

the many were made sinners,

so through the obedience of the one

the many will be made righteous.

The law entered in so that transgression might increase

but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death,

grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 The Word of the Lord

~4A. We too might live in newness of life.

Long Version: Romans 6:3-9

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

       Brothers and sisters:                       

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For, if we have grown in union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.

We know that our old self was crucified with him

so that our sinful body might be done away with,

that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.

For a dead person has been absolved from sin.

If, then, we have died with Christ,

we believe that we shall also live with him.

We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;

death no longer has power over him.

 The Word of the Lord. 

~4B. Short Version: Romans 6:3-4, 8-9

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

 Brothers and sisters:

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

If, then, we have died with Christ,

we believe that we shall also live with him.

We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;

death no longer has power over him.

The Word of the Lord.

 ~5. We Also Groan Within Ourselves As We Wait For Adoption The Redemption Of Our Bodies.  Romans 8:14-23

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

          Brothers and sisters:

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, through 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 waits 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.

 ~6. What Will Separate Us From The Love Of Christ?

Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

 Brothers and sisters:

If God is for us, who is against us? He did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all, will he not also give us everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?

It is God who acquits us.

Who will condemn?

It is Christ Jesus, who died, 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 sword?

No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.

For, I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, 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.

 ~7. Whether We Live Or Die, We Belong To The Lord.

Romans 14:7-9. 10c-12

 A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

 Brothers and sisters:

No one 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

For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Why then do you judge your brother?

Or you, why do you look down on your brother?

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 accounting of himself to God.   

 The Word of the Lord.

 ~8A. So Too In Christ Shall All Be Brought To Life.

Long form  1 Corinthians 15:20--28

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man.

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 firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; 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.

 ~8B. So Too In Christ Shall All Be Brought To Life.

short form  1 Corinthians 15:20--23

 A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

 Brothers and sisters:

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man.

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.

 The Word of the Lord.

 ~9. Death Is Swallowed Up In Victory.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

 Brothers and sisters:

Behold, I tell you a mystery!

We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. When this which is corruptible puts on incorruptibility, and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:

Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Word of the Lord.

~10. What Is Seen Is Transitory, But What Is Unseen Is Eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:14 -5:1.

 A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

 Brothers and sisters:

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not at what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

 The Word of the Lord.

 ~11. We Have A Building From God, Eternal In Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10

 A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

 Brothers and sisters:

We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed,

we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

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 at home or away.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

 The Word of the Lord

 ~12. He Will Change Our Lowly Bodies To Conform To His Glory.  Philippians 3:20-21

 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians

 Brothers and sisters:

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

 The Word of the Lord

 ~13. We Shall Always Be With The Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians

 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.

 The Word of the Lord

 ~14. If We Have Died With Him We Shall Also Live With Him.

2 Timothy 2:8-13

 A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

 Beloved:

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 everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory

This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him, we shall surely 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.

 ~15. We Shall See Him As He Is.

1 John 3:1-2

 A reading from the first letter of Saint John

Beloved:

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 yet been revealed.

We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

 The Word of the Lord.

 16. We Know That We Have Passed From Death To Life Because We Love Our Brothers.

1 John 3:14-16

A reading from the first letter of Saint John

 Beloved:

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brother.

Whoever does not love remains in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

 The Word of the Lord.

 ~17. Blessed Are The Dead Who Die In The Lord.

Revelation 14:13

A reading from the book of Revelation

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."

 The Word of the Lord.

 ~18. The Dead Were Judged According To Their Deeds.

Revelation 20:11-21:1

A reading from the book of Revelation

I, John, saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.  The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them.

I saw the dead, the great and lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened.

Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.

The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.

The sea gave up its dead;

Then Death and Hades gave up their dead.

All the dead were judged according to their deeds.

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.)

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.

The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
The Word of the Lord

 ~19. There Shall Be No More Death: Revelation 21:1-5. 6-7

A reading from the book of Revelation

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.

The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned 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.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.  The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”

 The Word of the Lord
 

Prayers of the Faithful

1. Priest/Deacon:

For ____________________, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall live even in death and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Reader:  Our response is: Lord, Hear our prayer.

 - Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for ________ and dry the tears of those who weep. We pray to the Lord...

 - You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. We pray to the Lord...

 - You raised the dead to life; give to our brother / sister eternal life. We pray to the Lord...

 -You promise paradise to the repentant thief; bring _____________ to the joys of heaven. We pray to the Lord...

 - Our brother/sister was washed in baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him/her fellowship with all your saints. We pray to the Lord...

 - He/she was nourished with your body and blood; grant him/her a place at the table in your heavenly Kingdom. We pray to the Lord...

 - Comfort us in our sorrow at the death of _______ let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. We pray to the Lord...

 Priest or Deacon:

God of holiness and power, accept our prayers on behalf of your servant ___________________; do not count his/her deeds against him/her, for in his/her heart he/she desired to do your will. As his/her faith united him/her to your people on earth, so may your mercy join him/her to the angels in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

2. Priest/Deacon:

God the almighty Father, raised Christ His Son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save his people, living and dead.

 Reader:  Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer.

 - _______________ was given the promise of eternal life in baptism; Lord, give him/her communion with your saints for ever.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

 - _______________ ate the bread of eternal life, the body of Christ; raise him/her up, Lord, at the last day.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

 - We pray for our brothers and sisters, our relatives, for all who were close to us and good to us; Lord, give them the reward of their goodness.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

- We pray for all who have died in the hope of rising again; welcome them, Lord, into the light of your presence.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

 - We pray for all who have gathered here to worship in faith; Lord, make us one in your kingdom.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

 Priest or Deacon: Lord, hear our prayers for our dead brothers and sisters; forgive them their sins, and bring them to the fullness of your salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 3.  Priest/ Deacon: God, the Almighty Father raised Christ his Son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save all his people, both living and dead.

Reader:  Our response is "Lord, hear our prayer".

- For ______________, who in baptism was given the promise of eternal life, that he/she now be admitted into the company of God's saints, we pray to the Lord.

 - For _______________, who at the body of Christ, the bread of life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day, we pray to the Lord.

 - For ________________'s family and friends: may they be consoled in their grief by Jesus who once wept at the death of his friend, Lazarus, we pray to the Lord.

 - For our deceased relatives and friends and all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness, we pray to the Lord.

 - For all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, we pray to the Lord.

 - For all of us assembled here to worship in faith that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom, we pray to the Lord.

 Priest or Deacon: God, our shelter and our strength, You listen in love to the cry of your people; hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them of their sins and grant the fullness of redemption. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. 

Hymns

Music is essential to the Funeral Mass.  It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey.  It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith.  The Funeral Choir and Organist of the St. Joseph Parish community supply the music for the funeral Mass.  All music is sacred in nature.

Opening and Closing hymns (Choose 1 Opening & 1 Closing)

Alleluia Sing To Jesus (66), I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say (110),
For All The Saints (84), How Firm A Foundation (79), O God Our Help In Ages Past (85),
How Great Thou Art (96), Sing With All The Saints In Glory (109),
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (86), To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King (90).

Offertory hymns (Choose one)

Amazing Grace (74), Lord Of All Hopefulness (107), Be Not Afraid (60)
On Eagles Wings (61), Eye Has Not Seen (69), The King Of Love My Shepherd is Hosea (103),
I Have Loved You (105), The Strife is O’er (98), Jesus Remember Me (102).

Communion hymns (Choose one)

Eat This Bread (108), We Remember (73), I Am The Bread Of Life (58), You Are Near (70),
I Received The Living God (81), You Satisfy The Hungry Heart (63), Like A Shepherd (83).

Other hymns [Interlude or Meditation] (Choose one)

Ave Maria, Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace (78), Be Thou My Vision, Blessed Assurance,
Precious Lord Take My Hand (87), Great Is Thy Faithfulness, The Lord’s Prayer,
Let There Be Peace On Earth (92), We Shall Rise Again (64)

 Funeral Music Director:
David Schafer, Phone: 443-421-0827, e-mail: d8445@comcast.net