REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
MONASTERY OF ST. ALPHONSUS – 17 NOVEMBER 2011
Setting the Scene
Create a garden of remembrance beginning with a fairly bare space. The service can incorporate the planting of seeds, shrubs and flowers throughout which will build up to an image that is rich, colourful, offering the promise of new life and hope. Watering of the garden can take place at different times. A banana or some other material for compost can be placed in the garden (those who have died still nourish us). The oratory is not brightly lit but enough for safety. The light can be increased during service.
Welcome
As people arrive they are given cards in the shape of flowers and are invited to write down the names of their loved ones on them. The cards are of many colours. During the service these can be placed in the space among the flowers and plants.
Prelude Instrumental Music – Traditional Irish
Introduction On behalf of the Redemptoristine Community I warmly welcome you to this service of remembrance for those who have died. I want to assure you that you and your loved ones who are now gone to God will be remembered in our prayers tonight and throughout the month of November.
Gathering Song Quietly, Peacefully (Lori True/ Dvorak)
All sing: Quietly, peacefully may they rest in you
Quietly, peacefully bring them home to you.
Opening Prayer Let us stand and pray,
All say: God of love and consolation,
Be with us as we remember those we love
who have departed this life.
Plant seeds of hope in hearts darkened by sadness
Nourish with love all those who are lonely in their grief
Strengthen our faith in the mystery of the resurrection.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Introduction We gather in the dark part of the year to remember those who have died. As Christian people we gather with hope in our hearts despite our loss. The seeds of eternal life are the many good things that we do in this life and our faith is that we will reap our reward in the next. Our service will reflect the themes of death and new life within the cycle of time offering light where there is darkness and hope where there is anxiety and loneliness.
Song Ag Críost an Síol (Sean Ó Riada)
Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar;
in iothlainn Dé go dtugtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc;
I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.
Ó fhás go haois, is ó aois go bás,
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch ní críoch ach athfhás,
i bParthas na ngrást go rabhaimid.
Reflection To Christ the Seed
To Christ the seed, to Christ the crop,
in barn of Christ may we be brought.
To Christ the sea, to Christ the fish,
in nets of Christ may we be caught.
From growth to age, from age to death,
Thy two arms here, O Christ, about us.
From death to end, not end but growth,
in blessed Paradise may we be.
(The instrumental of Ag Críost an Síol is played underneath)
Reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Song Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar;
in iothlainn Dé go dtugtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc;
I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.
Ó fhás go haois, is ó aois go bás,
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch ní críoch ach athfhás,
i bParthas na ngrást go rabhaimid.
Reading Matthew 17:20
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Intercessions Increase our Faith (David Haas)
All sing: Lord, increase our faith,
with all our hearts may we always follow you.
Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for all who have died: may they find joy and peace in the kingdom of eternal love
All sing: Lord, increase our faith,
with all our hearts may we always follow you.
Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for those who we remember particularly at this service who died recently: may they bask in the love of God forever.
All sing: Lord, increase our faith,
with all our hearts may we always follow you.
Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for deceased church musicians now gone to God: may they live in the harmony of the heavenly choirs praising God forever.
All sing: Lord, increase our faith,
with all our hearts may we always follow you.
Teach us to pray, always.
Introduction When faced with the death of a loved one even when we think we are prepared it still comes as a shock. A relationship in a particular way has ended. We don’t always take on immediately the Christian understanding of death as the pathway to new life. We have questions and uncertainties, sometimes anger and ‘what ifs’. Let us bring these thoughts and feelings before the Lord now in a moment of quiet reflection and in a spirit of trust. We are not alone. There are many people and groups to support us whom the Lord has sent across our paths.
Reading Mark 5: 21-24, 35
And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” And he went with him. There came from the rulers house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
Song I am sure I shall see (Taizé)
All sing: I am sure I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Yes, I shall see the goodness of God, hold firm, trust in the Lord.
Reflection A Child Loaned (Edgar Guest)
Ill lend you for a little time
A child of Mine,” He said,
“For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn for when hes dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
Hell bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief,
Youll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
Ive looked this wide world over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd lifes lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Not think the labour vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take him back again?”
I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief well run.
Well shelter him with tenderness,
Well love him while we may,
And for the happiness weve known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
Well brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.
Song I am sure I shall see (Taizé)
All sing: I am sure I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Yes, I shall see the goodness of God, hold firm, trust in the Lord.
Reading Mark 5:36-42
And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the childs father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.
Intercessions Increase our Faith (David Haas)
All sing: Lord, increase our faith, with all our hearts may we always follow you. Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for all who care for the sick at home or in hospital: bless them with patience and compassion in their ministry of healing.
All sing: Lord, increase our faith, with all our hearts may we always follow you. Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for those who offer spiritual support to the dying and to their relatives: give them strength and wisdom in their mission of pastoral care.
All sing: Lord, increase our faith, with all our hearts may we always follow you. Teach us to pray, always.
We pray for those supporting hospice care in our country: empower them to continue to offer dignity and respect to all who are close to death in their mission of mercy.
All sing: Lord, increase our faith, with all our hearts may we always follow you. Teach us to pray, always.
Reflection Footprints in the Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, youd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I dont understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
Song Stand By Me (Tom Kendzia)
All sing: Stand by me, stand by me, lift me up from the restless sea.
When I am lost and love can’t be found,
When no one cares, Lord, stand by me.
Introduction We believe that those who have gone from us in one way are not gone forever from our hearts and souls. Christ is the link between us now. His presence in our sadness is gives us strength to carry on. Where He has gone we hope to follow too.
Reflection St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
‘Physical separation cannot keep us apart if we are united by God’.
Song Abide With Me (Monk/Lyte)
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Reading John 15:4-5
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Swift to its close ebbs out lifes little day;
earths joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
Reflection God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So Our Lady put her arms around you and whispered ‘Come to Me’.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.
Song Steal Away (Spiritual)
Reflection St. Therese of Lisieux
‘I open my arms to suffering and embrace it with great love’.
Song Ave Maria (Tomas Luiz da Vittoria)
Song As I Kneel Before You (Parkinson)
All sing: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu
Decade of the Rosary Glorious Mystery of the Resurrection. Each Ave is offered for a different kind of death – Infant – Accident – Old Age – Suicide – Violence – Long Illness – Sudden Death – War and Famine – Those who died alone – Natural disaster.
All sing: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu
Remembrance All are invited to come forward and place their flower cards with the name of their loved ones on them into the garden where they lie side by side with the plants while singing this refrain – How I love You, How I love you.
Song There is a Place (Liam Lawton)
All sing: There is treasure in our field, there is treasure in our skies, there is treasure in our dreaming from the soul to the eye. For whenever we gather in the light of God’s grace and for all who we remember there will ever be a place.
Reflection We remember our loved ones who have departed from our lives but are now continuing their lives with God as we hear the words of the shepherd-psalm.
There is nothing I shall want… All earthly desires and pursuits have given way to the soul’s eternal destiny.
He gives me repose…Near restful waters he leads me…To images of rest and consolation after the struggles and pains of illness.
The valley of darkness is visited by those who grieve the loss but the psalm reminds us that God is there. And our loved ones want us to know that they are near us too in that valley of loss and tired emotion. They whisper to us about the banquet prepared by God. They tell us to value meals shared together as a foretaste of heaven’s table.
They have gone beyond all sorrow and tears into total goodness and kindness. In acknowledging our daily grief, let us not be selfish in wanting them to return to us. May the Lord our shepherd help us let go of our sorrow and rejoice with them, in the words of the psalm as they are happy to say: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell forever and ever.
Song The Lord is my Shepherd (John Rutter)
Prayer
All say: God over me, God under me,
God before me, God behind me,
I on your path, O God,
You, O God, my steps.
Song May the Road Rise to Meet You (Lori True)
All sing: May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall softly on your fields and until we meet again.
May we keep safe in the gentle loving arms of God.