Religious

They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel.
 
For no one knows the heartache,
That lies beyond our smiles,
No one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried.
 
We want to tell you something,
So there won’t be any doubt,
You’re so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to do without.
 
You gave us years of happiness,
Then sorrow came with tears,
You left us lovely memories,
We will treasure through the years.

Behind the Gates of Heaven.
There’s someone special there,
A loving gentle Father,
Who always used to care,
Look around your garden Lord,
For a man with a smile,
That’s my precious Father, Lord,
He must stand out a mile,
Hold him in your arms Lord,
And treasure him with care,
For you have in your possession,
A father beyond compare.

I bind to myself to God’s power to guide me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to teach me, God’s eye to watch over me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to shelter me, God’s host to secure me... Against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices, against the lusts of nature, against everyone who mediates injury to me, whether far or near, few or many.

There’s not a day that passes
That I don’t sit and cry,
And look to Heaven for a reason
But still I don’t know why.
 
Couldn’t he have waited
Another year or two,
Until you were a little older
And I’d had more time with you.
 
Forgive me, Lord, I then say,
All these thoughts are wrong,
There had to be a reason,
And I know I must be strong.
 
You’re in the arms of Jesus now
And I know that you’ll be fine,
But I wish with all my heart,
That those arms could be mine.

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,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that
during the most troublesome times of my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t 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 when I carried you.” 
 
Author unknown.

I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Now I have come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me.
I want no tears in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
 
Miss me a little, but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
 
For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of God’s own plan,
A step on the road to home.
 
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows
In doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.

Our father was a farmer,
His heart was in the soil
It’s there he found his solace,
Among the grimy toil.
He planted the seed in springtime,
The spuds, the beans, the hay,
He prayed that God would bless them,
A harvest, Lord, he prayed.
He tilled and cultivated them,
Provided the most tender care,
Believed that come October,
He’d reap a harvest fair.
Blue skies were his cathedral,
A tractor, his altar of prayer,
God met him in the hayfields,
They had communion there.
Our father was a farmer
That’s all he ever was.
The values that the land taught him,
He handed down to us.
We loved our farmer father -
We’re thankful, he was ours,
We pray that God will bless him,
Today and for all time.

God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down
Upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering.
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered “Peace be Thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

What kind of place would heaven be with all its streets of gold,
if all the souls, that dwell up there like yours and mine, were old?
How strange would heaven’s music sound when harps begin to ring,
if children were not gathered ‘round to help the angels sing.
The children that God sends to us are only just a loan,
He knows we need their sunshine to make the house a home.
We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile.
He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends them for a while.
Sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come.
Sometimes in just a month or two our Father calls them home.
I like to think some souls up there bear not one sinful scar.
I love to think of heaven as a place where children are.

Lord, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference,
living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship and suffering as a pathway to peace.
 
Heal me in my woundedness,
Comfort me in my pain,
Touch me in my loneliness,
Strengthen me in my weakness.
 
May your power working in me do infinitely more than I can ask or image.
 
This, I pray with faith through Christ our Lord.
 
Amen.

In dreams we see his smiling face,
And kiss his tender brow,
But in our aching hearts we know,
We have no father now.
 
The voice is now silent,
The heart is now cold,
The smile and the welcome,
That met us of old.
 
We miss him and mourn him,
In sorrow unseen,
And dwell on the memories,
Of days that have been.
 
Lonely is the home without you,
Life to us is not the same,
All the world would be like Heaven
If we could have you back again.
 
In tears we watched you sinking,
We watched you fade away,
And though our hearts were breaking,
We knew you could not stay.
 
You left behind some aching hearts,
That loved you most sincere,
We never shall, and never will,
Forget you father dear.

I ask you not for victory...
for somehow, that seems wrong,
but only for protection,
and the courage to be strong.
 
Strength not to conquer
but just that I'll fight well
and prove myself a sportsman
at the final bell.
 
And if by chance, he floors me
and the canvas I should meet
like Simon of Cyrene
Please help me to my feet.
 
Please help me to go the distance,
through rounds with danger rife,
not only in the boxing ring,
but in the larger ring of life.

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
 
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be the household word that it
always was. Let it be spoken without effort.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is
absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of your mind because
I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you,
for an interval, somewhere very near just
around the corner.  All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it
was before - only better, infinitely happier
and forever - we will all be one
together with Christ.

What comfort just to clasp it,
My rosary so dear;
Each mystery brings fresh courage
And drives away all fear.
In prayer so oft repeated,
Yet never growing old,
I read the wondrous story
Of God’s own love untold.
Each chaplet forms a garland,
To place at Mary’s feet;
Fair buds and full-bloom roses
Exhaling fragrance sweet.
The crucifix which crowns it
Reminds me day by day,
To bravely bear my crosses
Along earth’s rugged way.
I hope when life is ended,
And death shall set me free,
Still twined around my fingers
Will be my rosary.

All that I ask is that you will remember me
at Holy Communion.

O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech Thee,  do Thou intercede for us at the Throne of divine Mercy in our present necessities, that as Thou didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through Thy prayers and patronage in Heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.

You, whom I have loved so much on earth, pray and live in such a manner that we may be re-united forever.

Those who die in grace go no further from us than God, and God is very near.

Merciful Jesus, grant eternal rest to the Souls of the Faithful Departed.

Oh, keep me agile,
Keep me fit,
Bless my beloved,
Football kit.
Lord, help me score,
A goal today,
With fancy foot work,
All the way.
Oh, bless my team-mates,
One and all,
And help to keep them,
On the ball.
Oh, bless the ref,
We pray to find,
That he be neither deaf nor blind,
Oh whether home lord.
Or away,
Just help us win,
The MATCH I pray,
And I will never,
Sin again........Be a sport...
Oh, Lord – Amen.

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.

Give me, O Lord, a Footballer’s skill,
With strength of arm and speed of limb,
Unerring eye for the flying ball,
And courage to match them whatever befall.
 
May my aim be steady - my kick be true,
My actions brave - my misses few,
And no matter what way the game may go,
May I part in friendship with every foe.
 
When the final whistle for me is blown,
And I stand at last at God’s Judgment Throne,
May the great Referee say when he calls my name...
“You played like a man - You played the game”.
Amen.

Pray for me, as I will for Thee,
That we may all merrily meet in Heaven.

St. Thomas More

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, Thine Eyes of Mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the Blessed Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus. O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
To sweet Eternity.
 
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay...
 
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know,
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some, the journey’s slow.
 
But when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.
 
You were always there when we needed you,
No task too great or small,
With loving heart and willing hands,
For us you did it all.

I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.

Should you go first and I remain,
to walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memories garden, dear,
with happy days we’ve known.
In spring I’ll wait for roses red,
when faded, the lilacs blue.
In early fall when brown leaves fall,
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.
I’ll hear your voice, I’ll see your smile,
though blindly I may grope,
the memory of your helping hand
will buoy me on with hope.
Should you go first and I remain,
one thing I’ll have you do:
walk slowly down that long long path,
for soon I’ll follow you.
I want to know each step you take,
so I may take the same.
For someday down that lonely road,
you’ll hear me call your name.

Sunlight streams through window pane unto a spot on the floor.... then I remember it's where you used to lie, but now you are no more. Our feet walk down a hall of carpet, and muted echoes sound.... then I remember, It's where your paws would joyously abound. A voice is heard along the road, and up beyond the hill, then I remember it can't be yours.... your golden voice is still. But I'll take that vacant spot of floor and empty muted hall and lay them with the absent voice and unused dish along the wall. I'll wrap these treasured memorials in a blanket of my love and keep them for my best friend until we meet above.

Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,
but remember me in every tomorrow.
Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles.
I’ve only gone to rest a while.
Although my leaving causes pain and grief,
my going has eased my hurt and given me relief.
So dry your eyes and remember me,
not as I am but as I used to be.
Because, I will remember you all and look on with a smile.
Understand in your hearts, I’ve only gone to rest awhile.
As long as I have the love of you,
I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.

There is a bridge of memory.
From earth to heaven above.
It keeps you always near us,
it’s called the bridge of love.
May you always walk in sunshine
and God’s love around you flow,
for happiness you gave us,
no one will ever know.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you.
The day God called you home.

The Lord bless you
and keep you.
May He show His face
to you and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance
to you and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!

Merciful Lord Jesus, grant him everlasting rest

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard;
I felt the answer in my heart  Although He spoke no word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn’t mind,
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more loving kind.
I asked that He’d be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings  And friends to share the way.
I asked for happiness for you,
In all things great and small
But it was for His loving care
I prayed for most of all.

A rose once grew where all could see,
Sheltered beside a garden wall.
And, as the days passed swiftly by,
It spread its branches, straight and tall...
 
One day, a beam of light shone through,
A crevice that had opened wide
The rose bent gently toward it's warmth,
Then passed beyond to the other side...
 
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
Be comforted the rose blooms there
Its beauty even greater now,
Nurtured by God's own loving care.

What comfort just to clasp it,
My Rosary so dear;
Each mystery brings fresh courage
And drives away all fear.
In prayer so oft repeated,
Yet never growing old,
I read the wondrous story,
Of God’s own love untold.
Each chaplet forms a garland,
To place at Mary’s feet;
Fair buds and full-bloom roses,
Exhaling fragrance sweet.
The Crucifix which crowns it
Reminds me day by day,
To bravely bear my crosses,
Along earth’s rugged way.
I hope when life is ended,
And death shall set me free
Still twined around my fingers,
My Rosary Beads shall be.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

He who sows in the Spirit, from the
Spirit will reap life everlasting.

In my Father’s house are many rooms, I go to prepare a place for you. They may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them.

Be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee the crown of life.

The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them.

Mother of love, of sorrow and mercy, pray for us.

To you I lift up my soul, O Lord,
my God, in you I trust.

The relatives of the late ....................................
desire to return their grateful thanks for your
kind expression of sympathy in their recent
great loss, and especially your kindness in
having Mass offered.

The parents, brothers and sisters of the late

....................................

gratefully acknowledge and very deeply appreciate your kind expression of sympathy in their recent great loss. The Holy sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

The wife/husband and family of the late

....................................

deeply appreciate and will always hold in grateful remembrance your kind expression of sympathy with them in their recent sad loss.

The family of the late....................................
will hold in grateful remembrance your kind
expression of sympathy in their recent bereavement.

The wife/husband and family of the late

....................................

thank you most sincerely for your kind expression of sympathy in their recent bereavement. The Holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

The brothers and sisters of the late

....................................

wish to return their very sincere thanks for
your kind expression of sympathy in their
recent great sorrow.

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

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.

Family & Friends, I have left you: my last breath did not say, “Goodbye”, for my love for you is truly timeless. I leave myself not to the undertaker and the grave, but to your memory with love. I leave my thoughts, my laughter, my dreams to you whom I have treasured. I give you what no thief can steal: tender, lovefilled moments, the successes we have shared, the challenging times that brought us closer together and the roads we have walked side by side. Whenever you are in need, call me: I will come to you with my arms full of wisdom and light to open up your blocked paths, to untangle your knots and to be your avenue to God. All I take with me as I leave is your love and the millions of memories of all that we have shared. So fear not nor grieve at my departure, you whom I have loved so much, for my roots and yours are forever intertwined.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
 
Lord, grant that I may seek to console rather than be consoled,
to understand rather than to be understood,
to love rather than to be loved.
For it is in the giving that we receive,
in self-forgetfulness, that we find our true selves,
in forgiving that we are forgiven,
in dying that we are raised up to life everlasting.

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free;
I'm following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
 
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.
 
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes these things we too shall miss.
 
Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savoured much;
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
 
Perhaps my life seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.

May the angels lead you into Paradise,
may the Martyrs receive you at your coming
and take you to Jerusalem, the holy city.
May the choirs of the Angels receive you,
and may you with the once poor Lazarus have rest everlasting.
Amen.

May the Souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

God saw the road was getting rough,
The hill was hard to climb,
He gently closed your weary eyes,
And whispered “Peace be Thine”.

The angels sang “Amazing Grace”,
Our Lord came down and touched your face.
He held your hand and whispered low,
“Come with me, it’s time to go”.

The gates of heaven opened wide,
The angels lined up side by side,
For a special guest was on his way,
The day you took our dad away.

Silent at Joseph’s side he stood,
And smoothed and trimmed the shapeless wood.
And with firm hand, assured and slow,
Drove in each nail with measured blow.
 
Absorbed, he planned a wooden cask,
Nor asked for any greater task;
Content to make, with humble tools,
Tables and little children’s stools.
 
Lord, give me careful hands to make
Such simple things as for Thy sake.
Happy within Thine House to dwell,
If I  make one table well.

PRAYER to obtain the glorification of PADRE PIO

O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by Your love of us that You willed to die on the cross, I humbly entreat Thee to glorify in heaven and on earth, the servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved Thee so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of Your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. 

With confidence I beseech Thee to grant me, through his intercession the grace of ......... which I ardently desire.

Glory be to the Father

He never thought when leaving home,
He would never more return,
That he in death so soon would sleep,
And leave us here alone.
 
A sudden call from God on high,
You had no chance to say goodbye,
Without farewell you fell asleep,
But memories of you we will always keep;
And those who loved you dearly,
Are the ones who won't forget.
 
No farewells were spoken,
We did not say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why;
But we always will remember,
Our whole life through,
The last words we had with you.
 
We never fail to pray for you,
We never cease to care,
We wish we could go home again,
And find you waiting there;
To the Throne of Christ he will guide us,
And with us he will stand,
And that golden chain will be linked again,
Locked by Christ's Own hands.

1. Amazing grace how sweet the sound! that saved a wretch like me! I once lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved :how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
5. Yes, when this flesh, and heart shall fail, and motral life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.

Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary
that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection,
implored Thy help or sought Thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence I fly unto Thee,
O Virgin of Virgins my Mother;
to Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
 
O mother of the Word incarnate despise not my Petitions,
but in Thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.
 

We lost a mother with a heart of gold,
How much we miss her can never be told,
She shared our troubles and helped us along,
If we follow her footsteps we will never go wrong.
 
We miss you from your fireside chair,
Your loving smile and gentle air,
Your vacant place no one can fill,
We miss you mother and always will.
 
She was a mother so very rare,
Content at home and always there,
On earth she toiled, in heaven she rests,
God bless you mother, you were one of the best.
 
Each time we look at your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
Don’t be sad, but courage take,
And love each other for my sake.
 
O Sweet Jesus, for the sake of Thy Bitter Passion
And the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother,
Have mercy on her soul
and let the light of Thy Countenance shine upon her.

Just a prayer from the family who loved you,
Just a memory fond and true,
In our hearts you will stay forever,
Because we thought the world of you.

It was a sudden parting,
Too bitter to forget,
Those who loved you dearly,
Are the ones who can’t forget.

We often sit and think of you,
And think of how you died,
To think you could not say goodbye,
Before you closed your eyes.

 The blow was hard, the shock severe,
To part with one we loved so dear,
Our loss is great, we’ll not complain,
But trust in God to meet again.

 At night the silent stars look down,
On a grave not far from here,
Where sleeps the one we love,
In God’s safe keeping may he rest,
And pray for us who can’t forget.

You can only have one mother,
Patient, kind and true,
No other friend in all the world,
Will be the same to you.
 
When other friends forsake you,
To mother you will return,
For all her loving kindness,
She asks nothing in return.
 
As we look upon her picture
Sweet memories we recall,
Of a face so full of sunshine
And a smile for one and all.
 
Sweet Jesus take this message,
To our dear mother up above,
Tell her how we miss her,
And give her all our love.

I am at Home in Heaven dear ones,
Oh so happy and so bright,
There is perfect joy and beauty,
In the everlasting light.
 
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing past,
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
 
Did you wonder why I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh but Jesus’ love illuminated,
Every dark and fearful glade.
 
And He came Himself to meet me,
In that way so hard to tread,
And with Jesus’ arms to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?
 
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still,
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust Our Father’s will.
 
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand
Do it now while life remaineth,
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

What he suffered he told but few,
He did not deserve what he went through,
Tired and weary he made no fuss,
But tried so hard to stay with us.
 
A silent grief that’s in our hearts,
No human eye can trace,
For many a broken heart is hid,
Beneath a smiling face.
 
Pray for us, O dearest father,
To Jesus Christ, Our King,
That He may bless our lonely home
Where Thou once dwelt therein.
 
And pray that God may give us strength,
To bear our heavy cross;
For no one knows but only He,
The treasure we have lost.

O Holy Virgin,
in the midst of your days of glory,
do not forget the sorrows
of this earth.
Cast a merciful glance upon
those who are suffering,
struggling against difficulties,
with their lips constantly pressed
against life’s bitter cup.
Have pity on those who love
each other and are separated.
Have pity on our rebellious hearts.
Have pity on our weak faith.
Have pity on those who weep,
on those who pray, on those who fear.
Grant hope and peace to all.

Missed in the morning of every day,
Missed in the evening as light fades away,
Missed in a thousand and one little ways,
Around every corner a memory stays.
 
No one knows the pain we bear,
When we all meet and you're not there.
We talk, we laugh, we play our part,
But behind it all lie broken hearts.
 
You gave us years of happiness,
Then sorrow came with tears.
You left us lovely memories,
We will treasure through the years.

When God was making Mothers,
He must have made a fuss
He spent a lot of time on one
And gave that one to us.
Of all the gifts in life
However great or small,
To have you as our Mother
Was the greatest gift of all.
Because you were so special
No words could ever say
How much we love and miss you
Today and every day.

May the Lord give us all the courage
That we need to go the way He shepherds us.
That when He calls, we may go unfrightened.
If He bids us to come to Him across the waters,
That unfrightened we may go.
And if He bids us climb the hill,
May we not notice that it is a hill,
Mindful only of the happiness
Of His company.
He made us for Himself,
That we should travel with Him
And see Him at last
In His unveiled beauty in the abiding city,
In the new Jerusalem,
Where He is light, happiness.
Peace and endless home.
Amen

We sat beside your bedside,
Our hearts were crushed and sore;
We did our duty to the end,
‘Till we could do no more.
 
Our lips cannot speak how we loved him,
Our hearts cannot tell what we say,
But God only knows how we miss him,
In our home that is lonely today.
 
For many years the family chain,
Was closely linked together;
But, oh that chain is broken now,
The main link gone forever.
 
Gone from our home that smiling face,
The cheerful happy ways,
The heart that won so many friends
In bygone happy days.
 
The sunshine of our happy home,
Must always clouded be;
But Thou, O Lord has sent this cross,
We bear it all for Thee.

May the blessing of light be on you,
Light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine upon you
And warm your heart,
So that the stranger and the friend are always welcome.
May the light shine out from your eyes
So that people may come to you
As a wanderer takes shelter from a storm.
May the blessing of rain be upon you,
Soft and sweet;
May it fall upon your spirit and your fields
So that all good things may grow.
May the blessing of the earth be upon you,
So that you may ever have a kindly greeting for
People you meet.
And may the blessing of the stars be upon you
So that you may know that the
Lord blesses you always
In your sleeping and in your waking.
Amen.

God bless you, mother, in your grave
God keep you in His care,
And may He listen to my heart
And hear my fervent prayer.
I pray that you are safe with Him
For all eternity:
And He will bless you for your love
For all your family.
May you have peace and rest at last
From every care and woe;
And may you sleep in comfort from
The winds and rain and snow.
God bless you for your smiling lips
And all you tried to do,
To bring us happiness on earth
And make our dreams come true.
And up in Heaven mother dear,
Please say a prayer for me
And for all your family.

We wander sad and lonely,
To a grave not far away,
Where we laid our loving mother,
Whom we still miss today.
 
Jesus saw her getting tired,
And a cure was not to be,
With loving arms around her,
He whispered “Come with me”.
 
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
 
When the altar bells are ringing,
And all bend down in prayer,
We have visions of you mother,
With all your family there.
 
So rest in peace dear mother,
And thanks for all you’ve done,
We trust that God has given you,
The crown you’ve truly won.

God called your name so softly,
That only you could hear,
And no-one heard the footsteps,
Of the angels drawing near.
 
So put your arms around her Lord,
And keep her forever safe,
For she was someone special
And can never be replaced.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Oh ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfortess of the Afflicted, You know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy. When You appeared in the grotto of Lourdes, You made it a privileged sanctuary where You dispense Your favors, and where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporeal. I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore Your maternal intercession. My loving Mother, obtain my request. I will try to imitate Your virtues so that I may one day share Your company and bless You in eternity. Amen.

May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go,
and guide you in whatever you do -
and may his loving protection
be a blessing to you always.

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send
many blessings to you!

Thou shalt have no other sports before fishing.
Thou shalt proudly boast of thy catch.
Thou shalt exaggerate wildly about the one that got away.
Thou shalt no sleep past dawn.
Thou shalt clean thy own catch.
Thou shalt not give away the secret of thy success.
Thou shalt honor the ones too smart to be caught.
Thou shalt practice the sport as often as possible.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s reel.
Thou shalt not reveal the source of thy catch.
Thou shalt give thanks to God, creator of all nature, for the catch of the day.

Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to Your divine Son, remembering His promise “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find”.

Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick or lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part evermore reverently in the Holy Mass.

Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Those we love must someday pass beyond our present sight...
Must leave us and the world we know without their radiant light.
But we know that like a candle their lovely light will surely shine
to brighten up another place more perfect... more divine.
And in the realm of Heaven where they shine so warm and bright.
Our loved ones live forevermore in God’s eternal light.

When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage,
give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late,
or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,
and quickly an defficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling, and to give the best in me,
to guard my every neighbour and protect his property.
And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life,
please bless with your protecting hand my family and friends.

May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few.
And heaven is overflowing.

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God. I place in You all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by Your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from Your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your Heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating You, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near Your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls -

Pray for me.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

May you have a world
of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!

1. 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.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.

3. I need thy presence every passing hour; What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine. O abide with me.

4. I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless: Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is deaths’s sting where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

5 Hold thou thy Cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee: In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

When my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me,
And said “I welcome you”.
Please do not be unhappy,
Just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you,
Every morning, noon and night.
And when you feel that gentle breeze,
Or the wind upon your face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug,
Or just a soft embrace.
And when it’s time for you to go,
From that body to be free,
Remember you’re not going
You are coming here to me.
P.S. God sends his love.

A bouquet of beautiful memories,
Sprayed with a million tears,
Wishing God could have spared you,
For just a few more years.
 
It does not take a special day,
For us to think of you,
Each Mass we hear, each prayer we say,
Is offered up for you.
 
May he rest in peace, dear Jesus,
May his spirit now repose,
In Thy great protecting arms,
Far from earthly woes.
 
Along the road of yesterday,
That leads us straight to You,
Are memories of happy days,
Together we once knew.

Others were taken yes I know,
But you were mine I loved you so,
A prayer, a tear till the end of time,
For a loving husband I was proud to call mine.

1. Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Forgive our foolish ways; Re-clothe us in our rightful mind, In purer lives thy service find, In deeper reverence, praise.

2. In simple trust like theirs who heard, Beside the Syrian sea, The gracious calling of the Lord, let us, like them, without a word Rise up and follow thee.

3. O Sabbath rest by Galilee O calm of hills above Where Jesus knelt to share with thee The silence of eternity, Interpreted by love.

4. Drop thy still dews of quietness, Till all our strivings cease :Take from our souls the strain and stress, And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of thy peace.

5. Breathe through the heats of our desire Thy coolness and thy balm; Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; Speak through the earthquake wind and fire, O still small voice of calm.

When last we saw your smiling face,
You looked so bright and well,
Little did we know that day,
Was to be our last farewell.
 
The Golden Gates stood open,
God saw you needed rest,
His garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
 
Two tired eyes are sleeping,
Two willing hands are still,
The one who worked so hard for us,
Is resting at God’s will.
 
Your life was one of kindly deeds,
A helping hand for other’s needs,
To a beautiful life came a happy end,
You died as you lived, everyone’s friend.

Our hands reached across the sea,
And through the moonlit skies,
We calmed the raging seas at last,
With our gentle sighs.
No more pain or misery,
Our lives torn apart,
You brought me to your world with you,
To mend my broken heart.
You whispered in my ear to come,
I could not ignore your call,
I gave to you myself that night,
I gave to you my all.
Good bye to friends and family,
Do not mourn us now,
For we are free among the stars,
We take our final bow.
As gentle breeze and memory,
We caress all who touched our lives,
With God's prayer, love and tranquillity,
We look down with loving eyes.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And rains fall softly upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May the Good Lord hold you
In the palm of His hand.

Eternal Father, You called Saint Charles of Mount Argus to bring good news to the poor and to heal the broken hearted; You opened his eyes to see the presence of Christ Crucified in those who suffer.

Through His intercession, may we come to know your compassionate love for us, by experiencing the blessing of Your healing power, through Christ Our Lord, Amen

Saint Charles of Mount Argus, Pray for us.

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.

“Almighty God, as we play through our 18 holes of life, we pray that you will give us a drive that’s both long enough to reach our goals, and yet straight enough to keep us out of trouble.

“Help us avoid the traps and hazards of life; nevertheless, should we find ourselves in them, give us the tools, skills and desire to escape them with no penalty. May we always stay in bounds.”

“Help us to be willing to stand by - and not play through - those in genuine need. May we always play with honor.”

“And finally, when we’ve putted out on the 18th green, we pray that we will have demonstrated the integrity of our character, so that you will judge us worthy enough to join your threesome and play eternally on your heavenly course. Amen.”

Now I Lay Me Down
To Sleep I Pray The Lord
My Life To Keep
Though I Know You’ll
Eventually Take My Soul
Please Let Me Prepare
At The 19th Hole!

Most humble, St. Martin de Porres, whose burning charity embraced not only the needy brethren, but also the very animals in the field. Splendid example of charity, we hail thee and invoke thee, from the high Throne which You now occupy. Deign to listen to the supplications of Your brethren, that by imitating Your virtues, we may live contented in that state in which God has placed us, and carrying with strength and courage our cross, we may follow the footsteps of our Blessed Redeemer and His Most Afflicted Mother, that, at last, we may reach the kingdom of Heaven, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be still, I know I am with you,
Be still I am the Lord.
I will not leave you orphans.
I leave you with my world.
Be one.
 
You fear the light may be fading,
You fear to lose your way.
Be still, and know I am near you.
I'll lead you to the day and
the sun.
 
Be glad the day you
have sorrow,
Be glad, for then you live.
The stars shine only in darkness,And in your need I give
my peace.

When the sun rises in all its glory
To brighten up the sky
That's when we'll remember
Saying our last goodbye.
 
When corn in the fields turns golden brown
And in the distance a horse is heard neighing
We'll turn an ear into the breeze
And hear every word your saying
 
On long summer walks
When we pause and rest a while
We'll turn our face skywards, close our eyes and see you smile.
 
And now you're in that place
Where one day we all hope to be,
Do me one small favour ...
Save a place for me

God needed an angel in heaven
to stand at the Savior’s feet;
His choice must be the rarest
a lily pure and sweet.
He gazed upon the mighty throng
then stopped and picked the best,
our child was His chosen one
with Jesus she’s[he’s] now at rest.

O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by Your love for us that You willed to die on the cross. I humbly beseech You to glorify in Heaven and on earth the servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved You so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of Your Heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence I beseech You to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of ... (name) ... which I ardently desire. Glory be to the Father........ (three times). Amen.

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so
great, so strong, so prompt before the throne
of God, I place in you all my interest and
desires. Oh, St Joseph, do assist me by your
powerful intercession, and obtain for me from
your divine Son all spiritual blessings,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having
engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to
the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph,
I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus
asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while
He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my
name and kiss His fine head for me and ask
Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying
breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls -
Pray for me.

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be
A resting place along the road,
To Sweet Eternity
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know,
For some, the journey’s quicker,
For some, the journey’s slow.
But when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.

When through one person a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world, that person's life has had meaning.

We give thanks to the Lord for every remembrance of them, for the friendship and peace they brought, and for the love they held in their hearts..

Lord, with affectionate remembrance, pour out your blessings and give strength to their family, and comfort those who loved them and have been parted from them.

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free;
I’m following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
 
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.
 
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes these things we too shall miss.
 
Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savoured much;
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
 
Perhaps my life seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.

I thank you, Divine Infant Jesus, for the many graces and favours which you have granted me with so much love.  I shall always praise your infinite mercy and love and make you known to everyone with whom I come in contact.

Our family chain is broken,
Nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The links shall join again.

When I was young and in my prime
My mind being free from care
Whilst leaving all in Donegal to wander far away
Whilst leaving all in Donegal to wander far away
That I might plough the raging main, going to Amerikay.

In Creeslough town my friends stood round
And I bad adieu to all
In Creeslough town my friends stood round
And I bad adieu to all
And down Lough Foyle, and away I went
From the hills of Donegal.

The night being dark and stormy
And loud the waves did roar
Our captain cries, “Hold off, me boys
Our vessels going ashore!”
Our captain cries, “Hold off, me boys
To deck you one and all!”
And I rued the day I sailed away
From the hills of Donegal.

My father he’s a farmer
I mean to tell you all
Between Moville, near Derry
And the hills of Donegal.
I, being like many’s the foolish young lad
I thought I’d sail away
That I might plough the raging main
Going to Amerikay.

Here’s farewell unto Castlerock
Likewise unto Donhill
And to that spot where we sailed by
They call it sweet Moville
From sweet Culmore to that foreign shore
Where waves do rise and fall
Adieu, adieu to my wee lass
On the hills of Donegal

The angels sang "Amazing Grace",
Our Lord came down and touched your face.
He held your hand and whispered low,
"Come with me, it's time to go".

The gates of heaven opened wide,
The angels lined up side by side,
For a special guest was on his way,
The day you took our dad away.

I’ll lend you for a little while, a child of mine God said, for you to love him while he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief, you’ll always have his memories as a solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return, but there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn. I’ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true, and from the folks that crowd life’s lane. I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love nor think the labour vain, or hate me when I come to take this lent child back again? I fancied that I heard you say, dear Lord Thy will be done, for all the joys Thy child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may, and for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay. But should the Angels come for him much sooner than we’ve planned, we’ll have the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Come, dry your tears, smile again, love,
I’m only a whisper away,
Near in the dusk of the evening,
Just out of sight through the day.
 
Watching you waking and sleeping,
Hearing each prayer that you pray,
Sending my love to surround you,
I’m only a whisper away.
 
Come, dry your tears, smile again, love,
Remember the good times
we’ve known,
Cherish the joy we discovered -
Love that was planted and grown.
 
Your road may seem lonely ahead,
And distant horizons look grey,
You won’t be walking alone, dear,
I’m only a whisper away.

A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is still,
A place is vacant in our home,
That can never be filled.
 
Lonely is the home without you,
Life to us is not the same,
All the world would be like heaven,
If we could have you back again.
 
The happy hours we once enjoyed,
How sweet their memory still
But death has left a vacant place,
This world can never fill.
 
How dearly we loved you,
And prayed you might live,
But Jesus just beckoned,
And we had to give.
 
God gave us strength to bear it,
And courage to fight the blow,
What it has meant to lose you,
God alone will ever know.
 
May the God of Love and Mercy,
Care for our loved one who is gone,
And bless with consolation,
Those left to carry on.

Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into Your hands.
We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the last day with all who have died in Christ.
We thank You for all the good things You have given during our departed’s earthly life.
O Father, in Your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for Your servant.
In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in glory and are united with You and our departed.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.

Though his smile is gone forever,
And his hand I cannot touch,
I still have so many memories
Of the one I loved so much.
His memory is my keepsake,
With which I’ll never part.
God has him in his keeping,
I have him in my heart.
Sadly missed but never forgotten.

Little did we know that morning
God was going to call your name.
In Life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
 
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
 
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.

The happy hours we once enjoyed,
How sweet their memory still,
But death has left a vacant place,
This world can never fill.
 
Each time we look at your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
Don’t be sad, but courage take,
And love each other for my sake.
 
We think of you in silence,
And often speak your name,
All we have are memories,
And your photo in a frame.
 
Lonely is the home without you,
Life to us is not the same,
All the world would be like Heaven,
If we could have you back again.
 
May the God of Love and Mercy,
Care for our loved one who is gone,
And bless with consolation,
Those left to carry on.

He bade no one a last farewell,
He raised his hand to none,
His spirit flew before we knew,
That he from us had gone.
 
He never failed to do his best,
His heart was true and tender,
He worked, and toiled for those he loved,
And left them to remember.
 
Along the road to yesterday,
That leads us straight to you
Are memories of happy days
Together we once knew.
 
May he rest in peace dear Jesus,
In Thy Heavenly home above;
With the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
In His own eternal love.

1. Lead us, heavenly father, lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea; Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, For we have no help but thee; Yet possessing Every blessing, If our God our Father be.

2. Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us, All our weakness thou dost know; Thou didst feel its keenest woe; Lone and dreary, Faint and weary, Through the desert thou didst go.

3. Spirit of our God, descending, Fill our hearts with heavenly joy, Love with every passion blending, Pleasure that can never cloy; Thus provided, Pardoned, guided, Nothing can our peace destroy.

1. Be thou my vision. O Lord of my heart, Naught be all else to me, save that thou art; Thou my best thought in the day and the night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

2. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word, I ever with thee, and thou with me Lord; Thou my great Father, and I thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with the one.

3. Be thou my breast-plate, my sword for the fight; Be thou my armour, and be thou my might; Thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

4. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance through all my days; Thou, and thou only, the first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art!

5. High King of heaven, when the battle is done, Grant heaven’s joy to me, O bright heaven’s sun, Christ of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O rulet of all.

Think
Of stepping on the shore
and finding it heaven;
Of taking hold of a hand
and finding it God’s hand;
Of breathing a new air
and finding it celestial air;
Of feeling invigorated
and finding it immortality;
Of passing from storm
and tempest to an unknown calm;
Of waking - and finding you’re Home.

One gift, above all others God gives to us to treasure
one that knows no time, no place and one gold cannot measure.
The precious, poignant, tender gift of Memory ~ that will keep
our dear ones ever in our hearts although God gives them sleep.
It brings back long remembered things a song, a word, a smile
and our world’s a better place because we had them for awhile!

Jesus knew you were fatigued,
and no treatment was in sight,
so He placed His Love upon you
and with a guiding light,
He sent you peace and blessings,
to help you on your way,
and never regret the life you lived,
on this your passing day.
We cherish the love and the time we shared,
we know how much you really cared.
Our sadness real, our pain remains
as you go on to higher plains.
 
by Keith Michael Phelan

Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.

Prayer of Solace
May Christ support
us all the day long,
till the shadows 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 holy rest and
peace at the last.
Amen.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
But there are those that move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

Chorus

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear lamb of God left hiss glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

Chorus

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.

Chorus

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.

2. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings He made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings :

3. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning That brightens up the sky :

4. The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one :

5. The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows for our play, The rushes by the water, To gather every day ;

6. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God almighty, Who has made all things well.

The son you loved was not your son
The mother, set apart.
Alone God knows what awful doubts
Assailed your loving heart.
But strong in faith you heard the voice
That came from Heaven's high throne,
And spent your life in toil and care
To keep them as your own.
And when death's angel laid his hand
Upon your tired, grey head,
God and his blessed mother knelt
In tears beside your bed.
O pray that I with equal faith
May walk the narrow way
To come at last through death's dark night
To bright, eternal day.
Then, Joseph, take me by the hand
And lead me at the end
There where the mother and the son
Will greet me as your friend.

1. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here Come, bow before him now, with reverence and fear. In him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.

2. Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around; he burns with holy fire, with splendour he is crowned. How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.

3. Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place, he comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace. No work too hard for him, in faith receive from him; be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place

Most glorious Martin De Porres whose burning charity embraced not only thy needy brethren, but also the very animals of the field, splendid example of charity, we hail thee and invoke thee! From that high throne which thou dost occupy, deign to listen to the supplications of thy needy brethren that, by imitating thy virtues, we may live contented in that state in which God has placed us and carrying with strength and courage our cross, we may follow in the footsteps of Our Blessed Redeemer and His most afflicted Mother, that at last we may reach the Kingdom of Heaven through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. Lord, the light of your love is shining in the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us, set us free by the truth you now bring us, shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine fill this land with the Father’s glory; blaze, Spirit, blazeset our hearts on fire. Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;

2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance; by the blood I may enter your brightness, search me, try me, consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me.

3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness, ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me.

LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING

1. Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down, Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown; Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, Enter every waiting heart.

2. Come, almighty to deliver, Let us all thy grace receive; Suddenly return, and never, Never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy hosts above, Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love.

3. Finish then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored inn thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Lord make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
 To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are
born to eternal life.

The Lord is my shepherd,
There is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
Where He gives me repose.
Near restful waters He leads me,
To revive my drooping spirit.
 
You have prepared a banquet for me
In the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil,
My cup is overflowing.
 
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
All the days of my life,
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
Forever and ever.

1. The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended The darkness falls at thy behest; To thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

1. Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise; In all his words most wonderful, Most sure in all his ways.

2. O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame, A second Adam to the fight And to the rescue came.

3. O wisest love! that flesh and blood, Which did in Adam fail, Should strive afresh against the foe, Should strive and should prevail;

4. And that a higher gift than grace Should flesh and blood refine, God’s presence, and his very self And essence all-divine.

5. .O generous love! that he who smote In Man, for man, the foe, The double agony in Man, For man, should undergo;

6. And in the garden secretly, And on the cross on high, Should teach his brethren, and inspire To suffer and to die.

7. Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise; In all his words most wonderful, Most sure in all his ways.

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, To his feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore his praises sing : Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the everlasting King!

2. Praise him for his grace and favour To our fathers in distress; Praise him, still the same as ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless :Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glorious in his faithfulness.

3. Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes : Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Widely as his mercy flows.14 15

4. Angels in the height adore him, Ye behold him face to face; Saints triumphant bow before him, Gathered in from every race : Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise with us the God of grace.

1. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath closed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on!

2. He hath sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgement-seat: O be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on!

3. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free, While God is marching on.

4. He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave; He is wisdom to the mighty; he is succour to the brave; So the world shall be his footstool and the soul of time his slave: Our God is marching on!

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff’ring and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O, the old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see; for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory for ever I’ll share.

ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the Cross of Jesus Going on before. Christ the royal master, Leads against the foe, Forward into battle, See, his banners go.

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the Cross of Jesus Going on before.

2. At the Name of Jesus Satan’s host doth flee; On, then Christian soldiers, On to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver At the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, Loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod: We are not divided, All one body we, One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain; ‘Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise, And that cannot fail.

5. Onward, then ye people, Join our happy throng; Blend with ours your voices, In the triumph-song :Glory, laud and honour, Unto Christ the King; This through countless ages Men and angels sing.

In a near and silent graveyard,
Where the trees their branches wave,
Sleeps a kind and loving father,
In his cold and lonely grave.

Gentlest heart of Jesus
ever present in the Blessed Sacrament,
ever consumed with burning love
for the poor captive souls in Purgatory,
have mercy on the soul of Thy Servant.
 
Be not severe in Thy judgment
but let some drops of Thy precious blood
fall upon our beloved departed,
and Thou O merciful Saviour
send Thy Angels to conduct the soul
of Thy servant to a place of refreshment,
light and peace.  Amen
 
May the soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace.  Amen.

O Eternal Father,
I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
in all the Masses being offered all over the world
or that will be offered for the souls of Thy Servant.
Amen.
 
O Jesus in Thy infinite mercy
and through the prayers of the Blessed Mother of Sorrows,
have compassion on the poor suffering souls in Purgatory.
Oh! bring comfort to them in their pains,
shorten their exile and conduct them finally into Thy Heavenly Kingdom,
where with Thy Saints and Angels they shall praise and glorify Thee for all eternity.
Amen.
 
O Sweet Jesus, for the sake of Thy Bitter Passion
and the sorrows of Thy immaculate Mother,
have mercy on his soul,
and let the light of Thy Countenance shine upon him.
Amen.  

America, the beautiful,
home of the brave and free.
A land that God, our Father,
has given you and me.

He knows that in our world,
freedom always has it’s price,
and can easily be lost,
without fight and sacrifice.

So with a love of country
our bravest give their all,
Many even life itself…
We’re grateful to them all.

Our Army, Navy, National Guard,
Air Force and Marines.
Present and past…all have made
our bell of freedom ring.

We thank them for their sacrifice
and pray to God above,
that they may know the greatness
of our gratitude and love

Because of them, our nations flag
will ever proudly waive.
And we are still home of the free
because of them… The brave.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

You were sent to free the broken hearted,
You were sent to give sight to the blind.
You desire to heal all our illness.
Lay your hands, gently lay your hands.
 
Lay your hands gently upon us,
Let their touch render
your peace,
Let them bring your forgiveness and healing
Lay your hands, gently lay
your hands.
 
Lord, we come to you through one another,
Lord we come to you in all
our need.
Lord, we come to you
seeking wholeness.
Lay your hands gently, lay
your hands.
 
Carey Landry

Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, the future to His providence

- St Augustine

Pray for me, as I will for thee, that we may merrily meet in Heaven

- St Thomas More

Now you are sad, but I will see you again and your hearts will be filled with gladness.

- John 16 v22

We give our loved ones back to God,
And just as He first gave them to us and did not lose them in the giving,
so we have not lost them in returning them to Him,
for life is eternal, love is immortal, death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our earthly sight.

1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy powerful hand :Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more.

2. Open, now, the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through :Strong deliverer, Be thou still my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside Death of death, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side :Songs of Praises I will ever give to thee.

1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; Thy justice, like mountains high soarin above Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; In all life thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish, but nought changeth thee.

4. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render; O help us to see ‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

1. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed :

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze :

3. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die - I scarce can take it in, that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and dies to take away my sin :

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home - what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Along the road of suffering,
You found a little lane,
That took you straight to heaven,
And ended all your pain.

Deep in our hearts your memory is kept,
To love, to cherish and never forget,
In heaven you rest, no worries, no pain,
In God’s own time, we’ll meet again.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
 
by Robert Frost

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.

We give our loved ones back to God,
And just as He first gave them to us,
And did not lose them in the giving,
So we have not lost them in returning
Them to Him.......
 
For life is eternal, Love is immortal,
Death is only a horizon...
And a horizon is nothing but the
Limit of our earthly sight.

Guardian Angel from
heaven so bright,
watching beside me
to lead me aright,
fold thy wings round me,
and guard me with love,
softly sing songs to me
of heaven above.
Amen.