Bereavement Ritual

Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's prayer and being in unity with the person on prayer and being in unity with the person on

whose behalf the prayer is offered. In the lighting whose behalf the prayer is offered. In the lighting of candles we remember and truly live the words of candles we remember and truly live the words

of Our Lord:of Our Lord:

"I am the Light of the World.""I am the Light of the World."

The Lighting of the Candles is one of the rituals The Lighting of the Candles is one of the rituals we use at the start of the Bereavement Support Group meeting we use at the start of the Bereavement Support Group meeting

We now invite you to join us by lighting a candle and We now invite you to join us by lighting a candle and praying together for a loved onepraying together for a loved one

As you come forward to light these remembrance candles, may As you come forward to light these remembrance candles, may our separate lights become one flame, that together we may our separate lights become one flame, that together we may

be nourished and warmed by their glowbe nourished and warmed by their glow

Remembrance MassTraditionally, a Remembrance Mass is celebrated Traditionally, a Remembrance Mass is celebrated during November, the month of the Holy Souls.during November, the month of the Holy Souls.

We especially remember and pray for those gone We especially remember and pray for those gone before us, our loved ones who have entered into before us, our loved ones who have entered into a new life with God. a new life with God.

Our prayer for them is capable not only of Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also making their intercession helping them, but also making their intercession for us effective.for us effective.

Remembrance Mass

brings parish community together in a brings parish community together in a “resurrection space”. “resurrection space”. (From Absence to Presence by David (From Absence to Presence by David Wells, The Tablet)Wells, The Tablet)

offers an opportunity for public expressions offers an opportunity for public expressions of bereavement and solidarityof bereavement and solidarity

helps to bring healing, comfort and closure helps to bring healing, comfort and closure to the bereavedto the bereaved

Remembrance Mass

Remembrance Mass

Remembrance Mass

Preparation for the Remembrance Mass

Set a date and time with the parish priestSet a date and time with the parish priest Invite the recently bereaved by personal Invite the recently bereaved by personal

invitationinvitation Open invitation to parishioners by Open invitation to parishioners by

advertising in the parish bulletin/pulpitadvertising in the parish bulletin/pulpit Choose the rituals, readings, hymns and Choose the rituals, readings, hymns and

prayers in consultation with the celebrantprayers in consultation with the celebrant

Choose readers, other participants and Choose readers, other participants and musiciansmusicians

Organise candles, tapers, special cloths, Organise candles, tapers, special cloths, Remembrance book, flowers, rosemary, Remembrance book, flowers, rosemary, cards, boxcards, box

Invite greeters to assist with ritualsInvite greeters to assist with rituals Provide a Power Point (optional)Provide a Power Point (optional) Invite bereaved to bring a plate to shareInvite bereaved to bring a plate to share Prepare the room for morning teaPrepare the room for morning tea

Welcome to the Welcome to the

John Paul CareJohn Paul Care Memorial Mass Memorial Mass

14 November 200914 November 2009

Companions on the JourneyCompanions on the JourneyWe are companions on the journey,We are companions on the journey,breaking bread and sharing life;breaking bread and sharing life;and in the love we bear is the hope we shareand in the love we bear is the hope we sharefor we believe in the love of our God, for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.we believe in the love of our God.

No longer strangers to each other, No longer strangers to each other, no longer strangers in God’s house;no longer strangers in God’s house;we are fed and we are nourishedwe are fed and we are nourishedby the strength of those who care, by the strength of those who care, by the strength of those who care.by the strength of those who care.

WeWe are companions on the journey, are companions on the journey,breaking bread and sharing life;breaking bread and sharing life;and in the love we bear is the hope we shareand in the love we bear is the hope we sharefor we believe in the love of our God, for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.we believe in the love of our God.

We have been gifted with each other,We have been gifted with each other,and we are called by the word of the Lord;and we are called by the word of the Lord;to act with justice, to love tenderly,to act with justice, to love tenderly,and to walk humbly with our God,and to walk humbly with our God,to walk humbly with our God. to walk humbly with our God.

With permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

Liturgy of the WordLiturgy of the Word

First Reading Wisdom 3: 1-9

Responsorial PsalmResponse: The Lord is kind and merciful

Second ReadingRomans 6: 3-4, 8-9

Gospel AcclamationAlleluia, Alleluia!Come, you whom my Father has blessed, says the Lord; inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. Alleluia

Gospel Matthew 5: 1-12

Prayers of the FaithfulPrayers of the Faithful

Response: Lord hear our prayer

In Memory of YouIn Memory of You

Before his death, Jesus gathered his friends,longing to share his life with them,longing to make them one.And at the table of God’s loveHe took the bread, He said the blessing.He broke the bread saying“Take this and eat.This is my Body, given for you”

Chorus:

It is as You have asked O God,That we do the same, in memory of You.As you have asked O God, in memory of You.

Before His death, Jesus surrendered Himself,giving up His life for all, giving hope to a broken world.And at the table of God’s loveHe took the wine, He said the blessing.He shared the cup saying“Take this and drink.This is my life blood, given for you”.

With permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

Communion ReflectionCommunion ReflectionGod of heaven and earth

We pray for one another, for our families and friends, through whom we learn to love and to be loved.

Thank you for all who care for us.

Give us grace to care for others according to their need in love and understanding.

We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out to all people.

Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble. Give them courage and hope in their distress.

Bless those who minister to them, especially the staff and volunteers of our Hospice services.

We pray for those who are bereaved: those who have just lost someone they love, and those who still ache after many long days.

We pray for those who had unexpected loss;who find it hard to return to life and the future.

May they experience the life to be found in you, a life stronger than death itself.

We remember with gratitude your many gifts to us in creation and the rich heritage of our land.

Help us and people everywhere to share with justice and peace the resources of the earth.

Give wisdom to those in authority among us and to leaders of the nations.

We pray for one another as we gather here in remembrance and tribute. Grant us grace and wisdom to serve you and our neighbour.

Unite us in truth and love. Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive: and to you be all the praise.

Amen

Bring Us HomeBring Us Home

Chorus

Bring us home to you O God.Bring us home to you that we might live.Bring us home.

Speak to the heart of your people O God.We wander and thirst through so many desert places.We long to see your face, to hear your voice, to find our way.

Chorus

Speak to the heart of your people O God.Our thoughts and our ways are far removed from your own.You seem to understandthis struggle for justice, for meaning.

Chorus

Speak to the heart of your people O God.We’re lost and alone.Our hearts have strayed far from you.We hunger for you O God.Our hearts are restless and aching.

ChorusWith permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

Please join us for

Morning TeaMorning Tea in the Parish Centre

All WelcomeAll Welcome