Memorial Mass for Cecilia May O’Brien (nee Flanagan) and Kevin James O’Brien
Celebrant — In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
C: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
A: And with your spirit.
Opening Prayer
C: Let us pray. O God, almighty Father, as we gather together in this church to remember our mother Cecilia and brother Kevin, we ask that the faith and hope they had in you during their lives here on earth, be rewarded by the fullness of eternal life with you in the Kingdom of Heaven. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading (Proverbs 31: 10-31) — Mary Zabell
A reading from the book of Proverbs
Who shall find a valiant woman? Who shall find a woman of strength?
A pearl of great price is she; all who are with her have confidence in her and benefit from her experience.
She initiates good, not evil, every day of her life. She does not neglect her tasks, she willingly works. Broadminded, her understanding of life is a source of nurture for her.
She considers her options, then makes her move, investing the experience she already has. She works diligently, taking pride in her inner resources and strengths.
When her gifts are encouraged and their value affirmed, she will work wholeheartedly.
She opens her heart to the needy; she is generous with the poor, yet she does not neglect her family's needs nor her own priorities.
She is known for her dignity and strength; she laughs at the days to come. She often speaks with wisdom, and she teaches in a kindly way.
Those who are close to her praise her.
Charm is superficial and beauty fades, but the woman who is wise is the one to be praised.
May all value who she is and may all applaud her integrity.
This is the Word of the Lord.
A: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm — Mary Zabell
The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
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.
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
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 for ever and ever.
Second Reading (1 Peter 1:8-9) — Shayne O’Brien
A Reading from the First letter of St Peter
You did not see Jesus Christ, yet you love Him: and still without seeing Him, you are already filled with joy so glorious that it cannot be because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your soul.
This is the Word of the Lord.
A: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
A: Alleluia, Alleluia. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL (John 14: 1-6) — Celebrant as reader
C: The Lord be with you.
A: And with your spirit.
C: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.
A: Glory to You, O Lord.
C: Jesus said to His disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said: "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
The Gospel of the Lord.
A: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily
Prayers of the Faithful
C: For our mother and brother let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall live even in death and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
Reader: In baptism Mum and Kevin received the light of Christ. May they now rejoice in the fullness of the divine light in heaven.
Lord hear us.
A: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: Mum and Kevin were nourished at the eucharistic table of the Saviour. Welcome them into the halls of the heavenly banquet.
Lord hear us.
A: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: As family and friends of Mum and Kevin we still remember the grief and pain caused by their deaths. We ask God to heal any pain that remains and dispel the darkness of any doubt over their eternal destiny.
Lord hear us.
A: Lord, hear our prayer
R: We remember with gratitude the way they devoted so much of their lives to us and others. May their example help and guide us as we make our journey to join with them in paradise.
Lord hear us.
A: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: Lord we pray for all those who mourn the death of loved ones, and may they be comforted by their faith and the sure hope that their loved ones now enjoy the blessings of eternal life with God.
Lord hear us.
A: Lord, hear our prayer.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Prayer Over The Offerings
C: By your acceptance of this sacrificial offering, O Lord, grant that Mum and Kevin may be sharers in the abundant riches of Christ, and that they have been raised with him to eternal life and been granted places at the right hand of the one who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
Preface
C: The Lord be with you.
A: And with your spirit.
C: Lift up your hearts.
A: We lift them up to the Lord.
C: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
A: It is right and just.
C: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
In Him the hope of blessed resurrection has dawned, that those saddened by the certainty of dying might be consoled by the promise of immortality to come. Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.
And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:
A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (Celebrant)
COMMUNION RITE
The Lord's Prayer
C: Let us now pray together in the words our Saviour gave us:
A: 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.
C: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil. Graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
A: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Sign Of Peace
C: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
C: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
A: And with your spirit.
C: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Breaking Of Bread and Invocation
A: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
COMMUNION
C: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
A: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Prayer After Communion
C: Let us pray. Lord God, whose Son left us, in the Sacrament of His Body, food for the journey, mercifully grant that, strengthened by it, our mother Cecilia and brother Kevin, may come to the eternal table of Christ. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen
FINAL BLESSING
C: The Lord be with you.
A: And with your Spirit.
May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in which we believe Mum and Kevin now fully share, also come down upon us gathered here and guide us on our journey to join them in our heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Let us go in the peace and blessing of Christ that has been eternally bestowed upon our Mother and our Brother Kevin.
Mass celebrated by Father Mark O’Brien, last modified 13 July 2023