OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
Please select ONE (1) Old Testament Reading from this section
(except if the Funeral Mass date is during Easter Season (Easter Sunday through Pentecost); instead, see the next section labeled New Testament Easter Season Reading and select the 1st Reading from there.)
OT ONE ~ 2 Maccabees 12:43-46
A Reading from the Book of Maccabees
Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
The Word of the Lord.
OT TWO ~ Job 19:1, 23-27 “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
A Reading from the Book of Job
Job answered Bildad the Shuhite and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, and from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.
The Word of the Lord
OT THREE ~ Wisdom 3:1-9 “Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones.”
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
But 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 affliction and their passing away was thought an affiliation 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 in him shall understand truth, and the faithful abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
OT FOUR ~ Wisdom 4:7-15 “An unsullied life, the attainment of old age.”
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported. Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
OT FIVE ~ Isaiah 25:6, 7-9 “He will destroy death forever.”
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"
The Word of the Lord
OT SIX ~ Lamentations 3:17-26 “Hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.”
A Reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Good is the Lord to one, who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
OT SEVEN ~ Daniel 12:1-3 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”
A Reading from the Book of Daniel
In those days, I, Daniel, mourned and heard this word of the Lord: At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.
The Word of the Lord
OT EIGHT (Short Form) - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 “There is an appointed time for everything.”
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace,
and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The Word of the Lord
OT EIGHT (LONG Form) - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 “There is an appointed time for everything.”
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace,
and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit have workers from their toil?
I have seen the business
that God has given to mortals to be busied about.
God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil— this is a gift of God.
I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered. What now is has already been; what is to be, already is: God retrieves what has gone by.
The Word of the Lord
New Testament Readings (Easter Season - Easter Sunday through Pentecost)
(in place of the Old Testament Reading - only during Easter Season, not during the Lenten Season)
*One of the following five readings is always used during the Easter Season.
EASTER NT ONE
Acts 10:34-43 “He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and 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
EASTER NT TWO
Revelation 7:9-10, 15-17 “God will wipe away every tear”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” “For this reason they stand before God’s throne an worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Word of the Lord
EASTER NT THREE
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
EASTER NT FOUR
Revelation 20:11 – 21:1“The dead were judged according to their deeds.”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a 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. 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.
Easter NT FIVE
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
New Testament Readings
Please select One (1) New Testament Reading
Gospel Readings
Select ONE Gospel Reading
The Gospel reading is ALWAYS read by the Deacon or priest.
General Intercessions ( Select ONE set of Intercession 1-4)
Intercession I:
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 says: Our Response is: Hear our prayer
Reader: In baptism ____________ received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Our sister/brother, ___________ was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her into the halls of the heavenly banquet. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: 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. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: 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. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister _________. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming. Lord, in your mercy----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 kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord: Amen
Intercession II:
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 says: Our Response is: “hear our prayer”
Reader: For ________ who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may now be admitted to the company of the saints. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For________ who ate the body of Christ, the bread of life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For the family and friends of ________, that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of his friend, Lazarus. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God’s kingdom. Lord, in your mercy----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.
Amen
Intercession III:
Priest: My dear friends, let us join with one another in praying to God, not only for our departed sister/brother, but also for the Church, for peace in the world, and for ourselves.
Reader says: Please respond --- Lord, hear our prayer for each petition
Reader: That the bishops and priests of the Church, and all who preach the Gospel, may be given the strength to express in action the word they proclaim. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That those in public office may promote justice and peace. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may deliver the soul of his servant ______________ from punishment and from the powers of darkness. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God in his mercy may blot out all his/her offenses. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may establish him/her in light and peace. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints.
Reader: That God may welcome into his glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may give a place in the kingdom of heaven to all the faithful departed. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Priest: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your departed servants release from all their sins. Hear our prayers for those we love and give them the pardon they have always desired. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Intercession IV:
Priest: Let us turn to Christ Jesus with confidence and faith in the power of his cross and resurrection
Reader says – Our Response is - Lord have mercy
Reader: Risen Lord, pattern of our life forever, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Promise and image of what we shall be, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Son of God who came to take away sin and death, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Word of God who delivered us from the fear of death, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Crucified Lord, forsaken in death, raised in glory, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Lord Jesus, gentle Shepherd who brings rest to our souls, give peace to us forever, Lord have mercy. All – Hear
Reader: Lord Jesus, you bless those who mourn and are in pain. Bless ______'s family and friends who gather around her/him today. All – Lord Have Mercy
Priest: Lord God, you entrusted to us and now you embrace ______ in your love. Take into your arms together with all those who have died. Comfort us, your servants, who seek to do your will and to know your peace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
MUSIC
The Music Ministry at Saint Thomas the Apostle extends to you our deepest sympathy. We realize that at such a time it may be difficult to think about music for the Funeral Liturgy. To assist you with the funeral service music we have developed the following guide.
Below is a list of suggested hymns that our parish community knows and frequently sings at funerals. You may use this list as a guide. If you care to make other selections, if there is a specific song you would like included, or if you need other help with the funeral music, please discuss this with the music ministry. If you would like to use a hymn or piece of music that is not included in this list, please contact the director of music ministry to discuss the selection. If you have no specific music preferences the music ministry will gladly make the selections for you.
The Mass Acclamations: Alleluia, Holy, Great Amen and Lamb of God are chosen by the Director of Music Ministry.
Gathering Songs (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
Blessed Are They
Here I am Lord
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sing with All the Saints in Glory
PSALMS (Pick one)
Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 25 - To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul (Gather)
Psalm 31 - Shepherd Me O God
Psalm 27 - The Lord is My Light
Psalm 63 - My Soul is Thirsting For You
Psalm 103 - The Lord is Kind and Merciful
Psalm 131 – My Soul is Still
I Have Loved You
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
Blest Are They
Be Not Afraid
Eye Has Not Seen
Holy Is His Name
I Have Loved You
It is Well
Lord You Have Come
On Eagle's Wings
Prayer of St. Francis
Seek Ye First
Servant Song
You Are Near
COMMUNION HYMN (Pick One) MEDITATION HYMN (optional)
Behold the Lamb Ave Maria
Gift of Finest Wheat Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
I Am the Bread of Life Lady of Knock
One Bread, One Body
Panis Angelicus
Pan de Vida
Supper of the Lord
Taste and See
Unless a Grain of Wheat
RECESSIONAL HYMN (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
City of God
How Great Thou Art
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
On Eagle's Wings
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sing a New Song
We Walk by Faith