FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MINERS

 

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MINERS

                                                                      Freepik

 FUNERAL CHURCH SERVICE FOR MINERS

Let us pray for all miners who have died underground, and for those whose bodies still lie underground.

Church Service:

Priest: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Congregation: "Amen."

Priest:  "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: I myself shall see Him with my own eyes." Job 19:25,27a

PSALM 23: 

Priest and Congregation: 

"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

Fresh and green are the pastures, in which He gives me repose.

He guides me along the right paths, for His Name's sake.

Even though I walk in the valley of death, I will fear no evil,

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my foes.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

Priest: "May the Light of the Redeemer Christ shine within our lives.  Lord, have mercy."

Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."

Priest: "Christ, have mercy."

Congregation: "Christ, have mercy."

Priest: "Lord, have mercy."

Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."

Priest: "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."

Congregation: "Amen."

READING:

Priest: "A reading from the gospel of St Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16.

"I am the Resurrection and the Life, says the LORD: the one who believes in Me, even though they die, yet shall they live: and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.'  "  John 11;25,26

"This is the Word of the Lord."

Congregation: "Thanks be to God."

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

Priest: "Let us remember all who have died underground. We pray for those who have passed and remain in shafts underground. God our Father knows each miner by name. Miners, departed from this earth, remain safe within the Hands of the God who made each one of us.

We pray for all who braved the perils of the underground in search of a better life. We remember the sacrifices of miners who risked their lives in order to ensure shelter and sustenance for their loved ones.

We remember those trafficked into the pits of the mining industry. We remember children who laboured underground. Let us remember those who lie there, unclaimed but not forgotten by the Almighty.

We pray for the families, colleagues and friends of all who have passed underground, and ask God to help them in their grief. 

We pray for all those who have suffered underground.

We take comfort in knowing that Jesus, Who is the Resurrection and the Life, will lead them into the Heavenly Kingdom. No-one is born and dies without the Father knowing. May He be merciful to all His children who were miners, especially those most in need of His Mercy."

ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST:

If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please visit the following Prayer Chapel:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

REPENTANCE OF SIN:

If you wish to visit the Chapel of Repentance, visit the following Prayer Chapel:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html

BREAKING OF BREAD:

Priest: "Almighty God, You sent Your only Son to our world because You loved us so much. We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His Life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."

Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life,"

Priest: "After the same manner, He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: "Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is My Blood: the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me."

Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation."

(Here spiritually partake of the Body and Blood of Christ within in the Eucharist. Be assured He has come to you.)

Spend some time in silent prayer.

THE LORD'S PRAYER:

Priest and congregation: "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.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen." 

BLESSING:

Priest: "God, our Creator and Redeemer, by Your Power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of His victory, and claiming His promises, we now leave Your servants in Your gracious keeping, in the Name of Jesus our Lord, Who died and is alive, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by Your burial did sanctify an earthly grave; bless and hallow the underground graves of miners, that they may be peaceful resting-places for the bodies of Your servants. Through Your Mercy, O Blessed Saviour, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. "

FINAL HYMN: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui42ySSbhX0

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows, like sea billows roar
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own Blood for my soul.

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

He lives, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to His Cross and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
Oh it is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord hasten the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

With thanks to Youtube

Image courtesy of Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle

CHURCH SERVICE FOR SOULS IN PURGATORY

 

Purgatory is the process by which God remedies all that is lacking in us and that's where our prayers can help the dead. Just as in this life, so also in purgatory, growth and healing is much easier when you've got help, in this case the help of our prayers. - Bishop Anthony B. Taylor

The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, or All Souls Day, is the feast day dedicated to prayer for all those who have died and are in purgatory. Souls in purgatory are not yet fully able to bear the light and sinlessless of heaven. They are in the "second chance" lane - having died in the state of still undergoing personal purification, they are given the opportunity to complete their journey to holiness. 

They no longer live on earth, and as yet find themselves unable to fully access heaven. They are joyously becoming fully holy. Our prayers are acceptable to the merciful and compassionate God for the souls in purgatory, thus shortening their stay in purgatory. Let us pray for those most in need of our prayers, and that purgatory will be emptied over Hallow's Eve, All Souls Day and All Saints Day.

Bless the graves of your loved ones and of local cemeteries with holy water, pray the rosary at cemeteries and pray for your loved ones and the souls in purgatory, before the Blessed Sacrament or before the Church altar. Contact a good and prayerful priest to offer Holy Mass for the repose of the souls of your families, friends and for all the souls in purgatory.

As human beings, we are finite and limited, with the effects of past sin which have affected our character. Jesus Christ completely paid the price of our redemption. The sentence of eternal banishment of humanity from God was remitted by the Precious Redemption of Jesus. Although our sins have been fully forgiven by God,  some lasting damage as a result of personal sins have left some traces in our personalities or deformed character formation in some way. These influences require full healing before final entry into heaven for eternity. 

Purgatory is the process by which God remedies all that is lacking to each one, and that's where our prayers can help the dead. Just as in this life, so also in purgatory, growth and healing is much easier when there is assistance - in this case, the help of our prayers.

PRAYER SERVICE

Divine Mercy chaplet

Eighth Day; Today bring to Jesus the souls who are detained in purgatory

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your Justice. May the streams of Blood and Water Which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your Mercy may be praised.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze on the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His Most Sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your Mercy to the souls which are under Your Just Scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to your Goodness and Compassion. Amen.

Opening prayer:

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.

O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

Our Father; Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by 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. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

Hail Mary; Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

Pray ten times: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Closing Prayer:

Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your Mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your Holy Will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Our Lord said to Saint Faustina:

Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you ... Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Saviour .. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most  hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace form My infinite mercy ... I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy ... Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My Will.

IMPORTANCE OF THE CHPLET OF MERCY 

FOR THE DYING

Jesus said: "Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between my Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as the merciful Saviour."

SOCIETY FOR THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY PROMOTE PRAYER AND THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASSES FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

https://bscvt.com/society-for-the-poor-souls

With thanks to bscvt.com

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE - JESUS CARRIED US ON HIS SHOULDERS

 

Today we relive the glorious events of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Saviour was crucified between two condemned, died and - after three days - rose again. How thankful are we to have such a great Messiah. 

Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death. and the devil. He has emptied hell. 

The Son of God loves us and works untiringly to bring each one safely into heaven. Alleluia!

Let us pray for all who have ever gone before, for all peoples now, and for all who will ever exist in the future until the Last Day: that they may attain everlasting life with our resurrected Saviour forever.

Let us remember that Jesus Christ literally carried each one of us on His Shoulders as He bore His Cross. Every step He took, He knew that if He did not reach the end of His journey, we would not be saved. Every weight of the wood upon His Shoulder told Him that if our sins were not washed away, we would be unable to enter Heaven. Every time He fell and the wood pressed heavily, He realised that each one of us depended on Him for an eternity of happiness.

What a warrior! What a King! What a Lord we hail as Son of God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for carrying Your cross to the end. Thank You for bearing the weight of the sins of humankind upon Your Shoulders. Thank You for coming to earth to save us.

Priest: "The Easter Vigil begins in darkness. The darkness of the tomb is split open as the Light of the world resurrects and pours life-giving light to the whole world.

O God, grant that our hearts may be purified by your beloved Son Jesus Christ.

We offer You our love and praise in honour of so glorious a gift to our world,

Amen."

EASTER VIGIL READING

Mark 16 

The Resurrection

16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

BAPTISM

If you have been baptized, here quietly renew your promises to Jesus to continue practising holiness in your life, and to be faithful to Him. 

If you have been baptized, and fallen away from your faith, why then, just renew your baptismal promises and start all over again.

If you have never been baptized, why not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? 

He truly is the Son of God, and is waiting for you. Invite joy into your life and accept Him. Seek baptism.

Here is a chapel for accepting Jesus Christ into your life:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

LITANY OF THE SAINTS

Priest: "Let us thank God for the holy men and women who have gone before us, showing that it is possible to reach the holiness God desires for us. Let us remember our holy ones."

Congregation: "We remember you, our holy family in heaven."

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/10/litany-of-saints.html

BLESSING OF THE WATER

If you do not have holy water, pour some water into a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt in it if you have some. Ask the Lord to bless the water and make it holy. Now you have your own holy water! 

The priest blesses the water, and sprinkles the congregation with it.

We remember that Jesus is the Water of Life and brings us to holiness through baptism.

WE NOW REJECT OUR ANCIENT ENEMY SATAN

Priest: "Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God's children?'

Congregation: "I do."

Priest: "Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?"

Congregation: "I do."

Priest: "Do you reject satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?"

Congregation: "I do."

WORDS OF COMFORT

"After the crucifixion, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was very busy after He gave His Spirit back to God the Father. The gospels tell us how the earth shook with earthquake, rocks split. The veil in the Jerusalem Temple split in two. Tombs opened and many saints resurrected, went into the Holy City and appeared to many people. Jesus' sacrifice and death had won redemption and resurrection for humanity. What a great gift!

Thereafter, Jesus descended to the holding place of the dead.  He met with all who had passed from the time of our earliest ancestors. They were now freed from the grip of death, and the way of heaven was opened to humanity. The great King Jesus had faced satan, whose power was now vanquished.

After three days, the Power of God reanimated the dead human Body of the Son of God, Christ resurrected and appeared to many. These are wonderful occurrences. We are blessed to have access to Heaven, whereas before Christ died we were condemned through justice to live in eternal banishment from the Luminous Face of God.

Let us rejoice at our wondrous fate as the human children of God.

Do you wish to turn to God to bring areas of your life to be washed in the precious Blood of the Saviour? If so, perhaps you will find peace and comfort from visiting the Chapel of Repentance.

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html

If you wish to accept Jesus Christ in your life, visit the following prayer chapel,

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

THE EUCHARIST

Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."

Priest; "At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '

Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation."

[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer. Let us pray for all affected by the Coronavirus].

LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; "Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us."

Priest and Congregation;
'Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
One earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen."

PRAYER AND BLESSING

Priest; "Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice in His Resurrection. This Easter the tomb is robbed of death, and is empty!
There is Light in the midst of our darkness!

We have been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism.
We have been given renewed life in the Eucharist, and receive life from Jesus our Lord.
We ask for Your blessing as we go forth to witness to the world the truth that JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SON OF GOD!"
Congregation; "Amen. ALLELUIA!"

With thanks to Youtube