"Mass of Christian Burial" at Little Flower Church
Special thanks to Kathy Hodgson & Becky Runo for loving putting together the "Mass of Christian Burial" at Little Flower Church. Thank you Kathy & Becky for speaking so eloquently. The Mass at Little Flower could not have been better.
Prayers of the Faithful:
Eva believed in God's promise of eternal life. May she now see God face to face and enjoy the fullness of life forever; we pray to the Lord.
For Eva's family and friends gathered here today, may God's healing power take away their pain and dispel any darkness and doubt that comes from grief; we pray to the Lord.
Eva fed people not only through her wonderful cooking, but also fed their spiritual and material needs, through her volunteer work at St. Vincent DePaul and Community Hospitals. May we all follow her example in our own lives; we pray to the Lord.
In thanksgiving to God for healthcare workers, especially those at Castleton Rehabilitation and Nursing Home and People First Home Care and Hospice. May they continue to find the strength to undertake their tasks with love and compassion; we pray to the Lord.
May Eva now find peace in God's heavenly kingdom with those who have gone before her, especially her husband Ralph, daughter Patty, and grandchildren Vicky and Jeff, ; we pray to the Lord.
Readings:
First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction, and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality. Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble. They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust 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.
Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-7
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. 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 wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. 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.”
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
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 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.’
Songs:
Entrance: On Eagle's Wings
Responsorial Psalm: Eye Has Not Seen
Offertory: You Are Mine
Communion: Be Not Afraid
Final Commendation: May the Angels Lead You Into Paradise
Recessional: Sing A New Song