SUNSET SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
8 APRIL 2005
Opening Song Christ be Beside Me
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart.
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, light of my life.
Christ be in all hearts, thinking about me.
Christ be on all tongues, telling of me.
Christ be the vision, in eyes that see me,
In ears that hear me, Christ ever be.
Welcome
Road to Emmaus Story (Luke 24: 13-21)
“That very same day, two of the disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him.”
“He said to them ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast… ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free.”
Opening Prayer
At Knock the Holy Father said: “Not many of Mary’s own words have been preserved in the Gospels; but those that have been recorded refer us again to her Son and to his word. At Cana in Galilee, she turned from her Son to the servants and said “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). This same message, she still speaks to us today. And so we pray.
Lord, as we gather here this evening to remember Pope John Paul, we pray that his courage and his faith may inspire us to truly listen and act on the words of the Lord.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song Magnificat John Michael Talbot
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Saviour.
For he has looked with mercy on my lowliness
and his name will be forever exalted.
For the mighty God has done great things for me,
and his mercy will reach from age to age.
And holy, holy, holy is his name.
He has mercy in ev’ry generation.
He has revealed his power and his glory.
He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance
and has lifted up the meek and the lowly.
He has come to help his servant Israel.
He remembers his promise to our Fathers.
And holy, holy, holy is his name.
And holy, holy, holy is his name.
Reflection
Instrumental Ave Verum Corpus – Mozart
Reflection Dublin
Here at the Phoenix Park, twenty five years ago, the Pope John Paul II said:
“Prosperity and affluence, even when they are only beginning to be available to larger strata of society, tend to make people assume that they have a right to all that prosperity can bring, and thus they can become more selfish in their demands… When the moral fibre of a nation is weakened, when the sense of personal responsibility is diminished, then the door is open for the justification of injustice, for violence in all its forms, and for the manipulation of the many by the few. The challenge that is already with us is the temptation to accept as true freedom what in reality is only a new form of slavery.”
Song Magnificat
Refrain:
God fills me with joy, Alleluia
His holy presence is my robe, Alleluia
My soul now glorify the Lord who is my saviour,
rejoice for who am I that God has shown me favour (Refrain)
The world shall call me blessed and ponder on my story
In me is manifest God’s greatness and his glory. (Refrain)
Then glorify with me the Lord who is my saviour
One holy Trinity, for ever and for ever. (Refrain)
Reflection Clonmacnoise
At Clonmacnoise the Pope said:
‘The visit to Clonmacnoise gives me the opportunity to render homage to the traditions of faith and Christian living in Ireland.
Thanks to God for the origins of this apostolic faith in Ireland. Thanks to God for the saints and apostles and all who were the instruments for implanting and keeping alive this faith, and who “have done God’s will throughout the ages”. Thanks to God for the generosity of faith that brought forth fruits of justice and holiness of life. Thanks to God for the continuity of the message of the apostles handed down intact to this day’.
Song There is a place – written and sung by Liam Lawton
There’s a time to remember, a time to recall
the trials and the triumphs, the fears and the falls.
There’s a time to be grateful for moments so blest,
the jewels of our memory where love is our guest.
There is gold that is gleaming in a past we once knew,
in our tears and our laughter, ‘twas love brought us through.
There’s a road we have travelled where sunlight has kissed,
that carries us onwards when loved ones are missed.
Refrain
There is treasure in our fields, there is treasure in our skies,
There is treasure in our dreaming from the soul to the eye,
For wherever we gather in the light of God’s grace,
And for all whom we remember, there will ever be a place.
In the quiet of the evening, at the close of our day,
We will rest on the journey, to the Lord we shall pray.
And as we thank God for blessings, for the moments we’ve shared,
As we seek for tomorrow, close by us they’ll stay.
Refrain:
There is treasure in our fields, there is treasure in our skies,
There is treasure in our dreaming from the soul to the eye,
For wherever we gather in the light of God’s grace,
And for all whom we remember, there will ever be a place.
And for all whom we remember, and for all whom we remember,
and for you who we remember, there will ever be a place
Address
Song The Deer’s Cry
I arise today, through the strength of heaven,
Light of sun, radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire, speed of lightning.
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea,
Stability of earth, firmness of rock,
I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s way to lie for me
God’s shield to protect me from all
who shall wish me ill, a-far and a-near, alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ to shield me, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
I arise today.
Reflection Drogheda
When Pope John Paul visited Drogheda he appealed for peace in Ireland with these words:
‘I appeal to all who listen to me; to all who are discouraged after the many years of strife, violence and alienation – that they attempt the seemingly impossible to put an end to the intolerable. I pay homage to the many efforts that have been made by countless men and women in Northern Ireland to walk the path of reconciliation and peace. The courage, the patience, the indomitable hope of the men and women of peace, have lighted up the darkness of these years of trial. The spirit of Christian forgiveness shown by so many, who have suffered in their persons or through their loved ones has given inspiration to multitudes. In the years to come, when the words of hatred and the deeds of violence are forgotten, it is the words of love and the acts of peace and forgiveness which will be remembered. It is these which will inspire the generations to come.
Song Make me a Channel of Your Peace
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love,
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
O master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
O master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Reflection Maynooth
At Maynooth the Holy Father spoke to Seminarians and Priests:
Your first duty is to be with Christ. You are each called to be “a witness to his Resurrection” (Acts 1:22). A constant danger with priests, even zealous priests, is that they become so immersed in the work of the Lord that they neglect the Lord of the work.
We must find time, we must make time, to be with the Lord in prayer. Following the example of the Lord Jesus himself, we must “always go off to some place where (we can) be alone and pray”. (cf Lk 5:16). It is only if we spend time with the Lord that our sending out to others will be also a bringing of him to others.
Road to Emmaus Story (Luke 24: 27- 32)
“Then starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, Jesus explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us’.”
Song He’s Got the Whole World
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He’s got the whole wide world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He’s got you and me sister in his hands
He’s got you and me sister in his hands
He’s got you and me sister in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He’s got everybody here in his hands
He’s got everybody here in his hands
He’s got everybody here in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands
Reflection Limerick
At the end of his Irish visit Pope John Paul II challenged the people of Ireland.:
‘Lay people today are called to a strong Christian commitment, to permeate society with the leaven of the Gospel, for Ireland is at a point of decision in her history. The Irish people have to choose today their way forward. Will it be the transformation of all strata of humanity into a new creation, or the way that many nations have gone, giving excessive importance to economic growth and material possessions, while neglecting the things of the spirit?
Ireland must choose. You the present generation of Irish people must decide; your choice must be clear and your decision firm’.
Prayer of Faithful
Introduction
With faith and confidence in the Lord’s care, we offer our prayers for Pope John Paul and for the world.
Intentions
“He has broken down the walls dividing us.” Pope John Paul affected the course of world history as he worked tirelessly to promote the dignity and freedom of each person, and to bring an end division and oppression. May we, each in our own way, work continue that mission. Lord Hear Us
“There is no longer Greek or Jew, slave or free – all are one in Christ.” With great courage and humility Pope John Paul reached out in friendship to the different faiths and peoples of the world. May we be open to recognise every person we meet as our brother or sister. Lord Hear Us
“You must forgive one another.” As Pope John Paul embraced the man who had tried to kill him he witnessed to the call of every Christian to forgive. May we all continue his work for peace and reconciliation in our world. Lord Hear Us
“Blessed be the Lord who rejoices in my youth.” Pope John Paul had a special place for the young people of the world in his ministry and in his heart. May our young people be inspired by his example to follow Christ with courage and conviction. Lord Hear Us
“He has carried our infirmities.” In Lourdes Pope John Paul spoke of himself as a Pope called to share in the suffering of his people. May his faith and courage throughout his long illness strengthen and encourage all those who carry heavy burdens. Lord Hear Us
“The Lord appeared to them and said, ‘Peace be with you’” When Pope John Paul came to visit us over 25 years ago he opened his heart to the people of Ireland, calling for peace and for faithfulness to Christ. May his message continue to inspire us and challenge us. Lord Hear Us
“I am the resurrection and the life.” We pray for Pope John Paul himself, who throughout his life has served Christ so faithfully and with such integrity, that he may now come to share in the risen life of Christ. Lord Hear Us
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Words of Thanks
Closing Prayer
May he support us all the day long,
till the shades lengthen and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed
and the fever of life is over and our work is done.
Then in his mercy
may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest
and peace at the last.
(Cardinal John Henry Newman)
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sundown Instrumental