Introductory Rites
As the Funeral Mass begins, the casket is covered with a white cloth called a pall as a reminder of the deceased person’s baptismal garment.  With the assistance of the funeral director, family members or friends may participate in placing the pall over the casket.


Liturgy of the Word  
The Church attaches great importance to the reading of the Word of God.  The readings proclaimed to the assembly convey the hope of being gathered together again in God’s kingdom and encourage the witness of Christian life.  Above all, the readings tell of God’s design for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold in all whom God has called his own.  (The Order of Christian Funerals 22).

Readings from Scripture may not be replaced by non-biblical readings.  The family is invited to choose two readings from the Lectionary for Mass, one reading from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.   A copy of the Scripture readings is provided for you in this packet and on our parish website.  Please read them over and indicate your choices on your Planning Sheet.  An easy-to-use online form is also available on our website.  

Only a baptized Catholic may proclaim the first and second reading while the priest (or deacon) proclaims the Gospel (USCCB: Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism), 1993, ¶133.  If you prefer, the church can provide someone to read on your behalf.

Universal Intercessions (Petitions)
The Universal Prayer is a series of intercessions taken from the Order of Christian Funerals calling on God’s help and assistance for all people.  Sample prayers are provided and you may wish to include specific family members who have died and have them included in the intercessions.  The intercessions at Mass are proclaimed by a Catholic as noted in the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, n. 30.  However, you may request that the priest proclaim them.


Liturgy of the Eucharist

Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion
For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion.  We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently.
In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour.
A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. (Canon 916).

For our Fellow Christians
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.

For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For Non-Christians
We also welcome to the Funeral Mass those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1996

Additional Information

   

First Reader
Note: Both First Reader and Second Reader may walk up together.
Bow to the Altar and proceed to the Lectern.
Second Reader may take a seat until his / her turn.

The family member / friend who has agreed to read the first reading [Old Testament] will walk to the Altar bow and proceed to the lectern.

Please adjust the microphone to your height so you can be heard. After you read, have a seat and wait for the completion of the second reading.

The Cantor will stand at the same lectern to sing the Responsorial Psalm.

Second Reader
The family member/friend who has agreed to read the second reading [New Testament] will already be seated on the altar with the first reader.
After the Responsorial Psalm is sung, and the Cantor has returned to his/her place – please stand and read the second reading.
Once completed both readers walk to the center of the Altar – bow and proceed to your original pews.

Universal Prayer / Intercessions
The Universal Prayer is prayed following the Gospel and Father’s Homily. Father may sit for a brief moment after his homily. Then he stands for the Universal Prayer. The person assigned to read is to walk to the altar, bow and proceed to the lectern where the other readings took place. Father will read the beginning prayer and you read all the petitions – Father prays the closing prayer – you walk to the center of the Altar – bow and return to your pew.


ORDER
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm (sung by Cantor)
Second Reading
Universal Prayer / Intercessions

FIRST READING
Readings from the Old Testament
Choose One

 10 0   2 Maccabees 12:43-46

He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.


A reading from the second book of Maccabees               
 

FIRST READING 
EASTER SEASON ONLY 
(New Testament) 
Choose One
 

Note: During the Easter Season, one of the following four readings is used as a first reading instead of a passage from the Old Testament. 


 8a0  Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 (Long version)

He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

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 of 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.



 8b0  Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43 (Short version)


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.


90  Revelation 14:13


Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.


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,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”

The Word of the Lord.



 100  Revelation 20:11-21:1

The dead were judged according to their deeds.

A reading from the Book of Revelation:

I, John, saw the 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 the 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.



 110  Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

There shall be no more death.


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.
 

SECOND READING
Readings from the New Testament
Choose One

 10  Romans 5:5-11

Since we are now justified by His Blood, we will be saved through Him from the wrath.


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 even 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.


  20  Romans 5:17-21

Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.

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.


  3a0  Romans 6:3-9 (Long version)

We too might live in newness of life.


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 into 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.


  3b0  Romans 6:3-4, 8-9 (Short Version)


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.


  40  Romans 8:14-23


We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.


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 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.


  50  Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

What will separate us from the love of Christ?

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans:

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be 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 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 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.


  60  Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

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.


  70  1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (Long version)

So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.

A reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians:

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through 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; 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.


  80  1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (Short version)


A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians:

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through 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.


  90  1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Death is swallowed up in victory.

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, 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. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with 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.



  100  2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1

What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.


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 to 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 our 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.


  110  2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10

We have a building from God, eternal in heaven.

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.



 120  Philippians 3:20-21

He will change our lowly bodies to conform to His glory.

A reading from the Letter of Saint 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.



 130  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

A reading from the 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.


 140  2 Timothy 2:8-13

If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

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 with 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 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.


150  1 John 3:1-2

We shall see Him as He is.

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.



160  1 John 3:14 - 16

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

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John:

Beloved:
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. 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.
 

GOSPEL READINGS
To be proclaimed by the Priest
Chosen by Priest

  10  Matthew 5:1-12a

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

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

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 will 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 will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see 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 persecute 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.


  20   Matthew 11:25-30

Come to me and I will give you rest.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

At that time Jesus answered: “I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the 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.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  30  Matthew 25:1-13

Behold the bridegroom! Come out to Him!

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

Jesus told His disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards, the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  40  Matthew 25:31-46

Come, you who are blessed by my Father.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

Jesus said to His disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit upon His glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before Him. And He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; a stranger, and you welcomed me; naked, and you clothed me; ill, and you cared for me; in prison, and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You ill or in prison, and visit You?’ And the King will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; a stranger, and you gave Me no welcome; naked, and you gave Me no clothing; ill and in prison, and you did not care for Me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to Your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for Me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

  5a0  Matthew 15:33-39; 16:1-16 (Long version)

Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, He is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to Him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing Him saw how He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint Him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  5b0  Matthew 15:33-39 (Short version)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, He is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to Him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing Him saw how He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

The Gospel of the Lord





  60  Luke 7:11-17

Young man, I tell you, arise!

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him. As He drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He was moved with pity for her and said to her, “do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave Him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited His people.” This report about Him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

The Gospel of the Lord.



  70  Luke 12:35-40

You also must be prepared.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

Jesus said to His disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

The Gospel of the Lord.




  80  Luke 23:33, 39-43

Today you will be with Me in Paradise.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

When the soldiers came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the criminals there, one on His right, the other on His left.
Now, one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other man, however, rebuking him said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And, indeed, we have been condemned justly; for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Gospel of the Lord.



  9a0  Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a (Long version)

Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down in the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit;” and when He had said this, He breathed His last.
Now, there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid Him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.
At daybreak, on the first day of the week, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb: but when they entered, they did not find the Body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has been raised.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  9b0  Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53 (Short version)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down in the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit;” and when He had said this, He breathed His last.
Now, there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid Him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.

The Gospel of the Lord.



  10a0  Luke 24:13-35 (Long version)

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to Him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And He replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to Him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed Him over to a sentence of death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that He would be the one to redeem Israel; and, besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that He was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus gave the impression that He was going on farther. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. And it happened that while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them, who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.


  10b0  Luke 24:13-16, 28-35 (Short version)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:

That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus gave the impression that He was going on farther. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. And it happened that while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them, who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.
  110  John 5:24-29

Whoever hears My word and believes has passed from death to life.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus answered the Jews and said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For, just as the Father has life in Himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in Himself. And He gave Him power to exercise judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.”

The Gospel of the Lord.



  120  John 6:37-40

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:

Jesus said to the crowds:
“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 on the last day.”

The Gospel of the Lord.



  130  John 6:51-59

Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and I will raise them up on the last day.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to the crowds:
“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.”
The Jews 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 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 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.



  14a0  John 11:17-27 (Long version)

I am the resurrection and the life.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now, Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to Him, “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “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. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who is coming into the world.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  14b0  John 11:21-27 (Short version)


A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to Him, “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “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. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who is coming into the world.”

The Gospel of the Lord.



  150  John 11:32-45

Lazarus, come out!

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how He loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the One who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”
So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to Him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You for hearing Me. I know that You always hear Me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” And when He had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to the crowd, “Untie him and let him go.”
Now, many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what He had done began to believe in Him.

The Gospel of the Lord.



  16a0  John 12:23-28 (Long version)

If it dies, it produces much fruit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to His disciples:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his lie will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there also will My servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves Me.
“I am troubled now; yet, what should I say, ‘Father, save Me from the hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


  16b0  John 12:23-26 (Short version)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to His disciples:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there also will My servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves Me.

The Gospel of the Lord.



  1770  John 14:1-6

In My Father’s house there are many dwellings.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to His disciples:
“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 again 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.



  180  John 17:24-26

I wish that where I am they also may be with Me.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and said:
“Father, those whom You gave Me 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.


  190  John 19:17-18, 25-39

And bowing His head, He handed over His Spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him; and, with Him two others, one on either side with Jesus in the middle.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to His mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He handed over the Spirit.
Now, since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into His side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon Him whom they have pierced.
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the Body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took His Body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to Him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Choose One

  10 

Priest:
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the Right Hand of the Father where He intercedes for His Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to His:

Reader:
Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer. (pause briefly)

In baptism, N. received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Our brother/sister N. was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her into the halls of the heavenly banquet.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the Heavenly Kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with Your Son.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against Your love and gather them to the Eternal Kingdom of Peace.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to You alone.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

The family and friends of N. seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of Your Son’s Coming.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the voices of Your people whose lives were purchased by the Blood of the Lamb. Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ and grant them a place in the Heavenly Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. (R) Amen



  20 

Priest:
God, the Almighty Father, raised Christ His Son from the dead; with confidence, we ask Him to save all His people, living and dead.

Reader:
Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer. (pause briefly)

For N., who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may now be admitted to the company of the Saints.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

For our brother/sister who ate the Body of Christ, the Bread of Life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face-to-face.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

For the family and friends of our brother/sister N., that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus.
“We pray to the Lord:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

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:” (R) Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest:
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 them the fullness of redemption.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. (R) Amen

MUSIC
HYMNS and PSALMS

Whenever music is used in the Liturgy, it is integral to the celebration.  Music during the Funeral Mass is meant to encourage the participation of family and friends, inspire their prayer, and allow Christ to unite them more perfectly with our heavenly Father.  Texts should express authentic Catholic understanding of Our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection and, at the same time, encourage the full and active participation of all present.  

You are asked to select your musical choices from the information below.  The parish music director and pastor will assist you and answer any questions you have at the time of your formal meeting.

It is the policy of Sacred Heart Church that the parish organist play the Funeral Mass and select the cantor. 



Entrance Chant/Hymn Suggestions

Choices include:


 10 Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

verses:  Psalm 65 [sung by cantor]

• Praise is due to you in Sion, O God.  To You, we pay our vows in Jerusalem, You who hear our prayer.
• Blessed is he whom You choose and call to dwell in Your courts.
• We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple.

• O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever.
• Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
• The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

• The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

• He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.   Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; For you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

• You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

• Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

• The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom shall I be afraid?
• One thing I ask of the LORD, this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD, and contemplate his temple.

• I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the LORD.

• I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant; Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for a generations.

• Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;  In the light of your countenance, O Lord, they walk. At your name they rejoice all the day and through your justice they are exalted.

• He shall say of me, “You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.” Forever I will maintain my kindness toward hi, and my covenant with him stands firm.

• Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

• As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, For he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

• Man’s days are like those of grass; like a flower of the field he blooms; The wind sweeps over him and he is gone and his place knows him no more. But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward children’s children among those who keep his covenant and remember to fulfill his precepts.

• Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.  Lord, hear my voice!
• Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
• I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.

• I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come?
• My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
• He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

• With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.
• I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
• When my spirit is faint, you know the way. 

• Click here to download the Funeral Planning Worksheet
  • You can print and use this worksheet to help direct your conversation with Father.

• Click here to fill out the form online.  This form will then be sent electronically to the office in case you misplace your worksheet.