Piercestown/Murrintown Parish

Requirements for your Wedding

1. Notice of Intention to Marry

“At least three months notice of intention to marry must be given” – Irish Bishops’ Conference.

2. Date and Time

Please check with the Sacristan /Secretary that the Church is available. Please confirm with the Priest the date and time of your wedding ceremony before making final arrangements for your reception.

3. Marriage Preparation Course

Contact: The Family Life Services, Clifford St., Wexford.
Office hours: 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday. Tel: 053 9123086

4. Certificates to be Obtained

(a) Church
(i) Baptismal Certificate of recent origin (less than 6 months) obtainable from parish in which you were baptised.
(ii) Evidence of Death or Annulment in the case of re-marriage.
(iii) Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form – Acquired from the parish in which you live, or from your home parish.
(iv) Letter of Freedom to marry is required from each parish in which you have lived for six months or more since reaching required age to marry.

(b) Civil
Registration of Marriages Act 1995
(i) The minimum age at which a person ordinarily resident in the state may marry is 18 years of age.
(ii) At least three months notice must be given to the Registrar for the district in which the marriage is to take place. Any marriage taking place after 1 st August 1996 whether by religious or civil ceremony, will not be valid in civil law unless three months notification has been given, or unless permission to marry has been granted by the High Court under Section 33, of the Family Law Act 1995.

Local Registrar: County Clinic, Grogan’s Road Tel. 053 9123522
N.B. – It is the responsibility of the couple to notify the Registrar for the district.

5. Witnesses

There must be a minimum of two witnesses to the marriage, both should be over 18 years of age.

6. Preparation for the Ceremony

Regarding the actual ceremony, there is a great variety of readings, prayers etc, available. You are encouraged to discuss these with the celebrant, who will help you to choose what is most appropriate for your wedding.

7. Music, Flowers and Photographs

Music: Consult the organist at the Church.
Flowers: Consult the Sacristan
Photographs: Please make your own arrangements.

8. Rehearsal

Please make arrangements with the Priest if you wish to have a rehearsal.

9. Parish Customs

It is customary to make an offering to the Priests of the Parish, the Altar Servers and Sacristan.

10. Reception

If you would like the Priest to attend the Reception, please invite him well in advance.

Getting Married in Church

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR CIVIL REGISTRATION

What changes are being made?
There are no changes to the church requirements for couples getting married. However, some developments are taking place affecting the civil registration of marriage.

When do the new practices come into effect?
They became legal requirements from the 5th November 2007.

What are the principal changes in the new requirements?
The 3 most important changes are:

– The couple take greater responsibility for the civil registration of their marriage
– The couple make a declaration of no civil impediment
– Priests in order to officiate at a marriage, must be on the ‘List of Solemnisers’ submitted by each local Bishop to the Registrar-General

First Change: Couples Take Responsibility For Civil Registration

When the couple meet the priest in the parish, they should be made aware of their need to make an appointment to meet with any civil registrar in person to give notice of their intention to marry. This meeting must take place at least 3 months before the wedding in order to comply with the civil requirement. The couple will need to know that the church is available prior to this meeting. They also need to know the name of the priest who will solemnise the marriage

The couple will be required to bring the following documentation to the registrar’s office

Photo identity (preferably a passport or driving license)
Names and dates of birth of witnesses
Name of the church where they wish to be married
Date of marriage
Name of the priest who will officiate at the marriage; this presumes that the celebrant is a registered solemniser and that he has agreed to officiate at the marriage

If either party has been previously married, they must provide the civil registrar with an original divorce decree or a death certificate if widowed.
When all the civil requirements have been completed satisfactorily the couple will receive, from the registrar, a Marriage Registration Form (MRF). This document replaces the current form. Without this form the couple cannot get married nor may the solemniser proceed with the marriage ceremony

The solemniser and the parish priest of the place of marriage will receive a notification from the civil registrar’s office concerning the marriage due to take place

The couple must present the MRF to the solemniser before the wedding so that he can check that the details are correct before the marriage takes place. This should be done as early as is convenient.

If changes are necessary – for instance, changing the name of the solemniser – the couple should be advised to contact the civil registrar to arrange for the re-issue of the MRF at the earliest possible stage before the ceremony

After the wedding, the solemniser must ensure that the MRF is signed by the couple, the two witnesses and himself

After the marriage has been celebrated, is it the responsibility of the couple (not the local priest or solemniser) to return the MRF to any Registrar’s Office. This form must be returned within one month of the marriage

Second Change: Verbal Declaration Of No Civil Impediment

The solemniser must ask the couple to make a verbal declaration of no civil impediment

This declaration should be made not more than two days before the wedding

It is the recommended practice that this declaration be made at the beginning of the wedding, when the bride and groom arrive at the sanctuary

Third Change:

List Of Solemnisers

The priest who officiates at the marriage is called the ‘solemniser’
In order to officiate at a marriage priests must be on the ‘List of Solemnisers’ submitted by each local Bishop to the Registrar-General
f the priest, whom the couple have chosen to officiate at their marriage, is not a priest of the parish, it is important for the local priest to make the couple aware that he must be a registered solemniser

If a priest is not on the List of Solemnisers, and wishes to officiate at the marriage, he must become a temporary solemniser. He can do this by submitting a request to the Bishop of the place of marriage together with an appropriate Testimonial Letter signed by his Ordinary (i.e. Bishop or Provincial Superior). If the priest is incardinated into the diocese in which the marriage is to take place, he needs simply to request this from his Bishop

For the canonical validity of the marriage, a visiting solemniser will need to receive delegation as heretofore.

Where Can Catholic Marriages Take Place?

The proper and ordinary place of the celebration of a catholic marriage continues to be the parish church(es) (cann 1115 & 1118). All existing diocesan policies with regard to the place of marriage will remain the same; so too in relation to the time and day on which marriages can take place. The solemniser and the couple must comply with these diocesan regulations.

Where Can I Find More Information

Information can be found at GRO Ireland.

Check List

What The Solemniser Needs To Do

Make sure he is on the List of Solemnisers
If he is not on the list, he must become a Temporary Solemniser
Ensure that the couple have received the Marriage Registration Form (MRF) before the wedding takes place
Check that all details on the MRF are correct
Make sure that the couple makes the verbal declaration of no civil impediment in the presence of the two witnesses and himself
Ensure that the MFR is signed by the couple, two witnesses and himself
Comply with all diocesan regulations regarding the time and place of marriage.

What The Parish Clergy Need To Do

Complete the Pre-Nuptial Inquiry Forms in the usual manner
Inform the couple of the requirement to meet the civil registrar at least 3 months before the wedding to give notice of their intention to marry
Inform the couple that the priest they have chosen must be on the List of Solemnisers
Give delegation to the visiting solemniser as heretofore

What The Couple Must Do

Meet one of the local parish clergy
Book the church where they wish to marry (for couples living outside the parish there will be a charge of €300 for use of the Church)
Meet a civil registrar at least 3 months before the wedding to give notice of their intention to marry
Receive the Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the civil registrar
Being the MRF to the solemniser
Make the verbal declaration of no civil impediment not more than 2 days beforehand
Return the signed MRF to any civil registrar not later than 1 month after the wedding

Order of the Mass

Please choose:
• One Reading from the Old Testament
• One Responsorial Psalm (if it’s not sung)
• One Reading from the New Testament
• Prayer of the Faithful

OLD TESTAMENT

OLD TESTAMENT 1

A reading from the book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be. 
 
God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; He has tested them like gold in the furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for His visitation they will shine out; As sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their King for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with Him in love; for grace and mercy await those He has chosen.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 2

A reading from the book of Wisdom
The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest. Length of days is not what makes age honourable, nor number of years the true measure of life; understanding, this is man’s grey hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age. He has sought to please God, so God has loved him; as he was living among sinners, he has been taken up. He has been carried off so that evil may not warp his understanding or treachery seduce his soul; for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart. 
 
Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life; his soul being pleasing to the Lord, He has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him. Yet people look on, uncomprehending; it does not enter their heads that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord and protection, his holy ones.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 3

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 
 
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain He will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, He will destroy Death for ever. 
 
The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; He will take away His people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; The Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that He has saved us.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 4

A reading from the Book of Lamentations
 
My soul is shut out from peace; I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, “My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord”. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me. This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. “My portion is the Lord” says my soul “and so I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save. 
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 5

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
 
You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious hand.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you’. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
 
The Word of the Lord

OLD TESTAMENT 6

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
 
Thus say the Lord: ‘in a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you.’ But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’
‘Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.’
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 7

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
Let us sing the praises of God’s goodness and of His marvellous deeds, in return for all He has done for us. In His mercy and boundless goodness He has shown great kindness to us and to the house of Israel. He said: ‘Truly they are my people’. He proved Himself their saviour in all their troubles. It was neither messenger nor angel, but his presence that saved them. In His love and pity He redeemed them Himself. He lifted them up and carried them throughout the days of old.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 8

A reading from the prophet Isaiah 
 
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the unstopped; the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. And the ransomed of the Lord will return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy will be upon their heads; they will obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 9

A reading from the book of Sirach.
 
When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient.
For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not stray or else you may fall. You who fear the Lord, trust in him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
 
The Word of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT 10



A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes.
 
There is a season for everything for every occupation under heaven: 
a time for giving birth, a time for dying, a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted. a time for killing, a time for healing, a time for knocking down, a time for building, a time for tears, a time for laughter, a time for mourning, a time for dancing. a time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering them; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing. A time for keeping, a time for discarding. a time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for loving, a time for hating, a time for war, a time for peace.
What do people gain from the efforts they make? I contemplate the task that God gives humanity to labour at. All that he does is apt for its time; but although he had given us an awareness of the passage of time, we can grasp neither the beginning nor the end of what God does.
 
I know there is no happiness for a human being except in pleasure and enjoyment through life. And when we eat and drink and find happiness in all our achievements, this is a gift from God.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT – First Reading

New Testament for Easter-time (Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday)

NEW TESTAMENT 1

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34–43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household:
‘The truth I have now come to realise,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ—but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Gali- lee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses—we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead—and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
The word of the Lord

A shorter form of this reading is also permitted:

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34–36. 42–43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘The truth I have now come to realise,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favour- ites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was
to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ — but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men, and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
The word of the Lord

NEW TESTAMENT 2

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 14:13
I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, ‘Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.’
The word of the Lord

NEW TESTAMENT 3

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 20:11–21:1
I, John, saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.
The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emp- tied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.
The Word of the Lord

NEW TESTAMENT 4

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 21:1–7
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.’
Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new,’ he said.
‘I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty; it is the rightful inheritance of the one who proves victorious; and
I will be his God and he a son to me”.
The word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (if it is not sung)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 1


The response to the Palms is: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
 
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. 
(Response:)
 
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. 
(Response:)
 
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; My cup is overflowing. 
(Response:)
 
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. 
(Response:)
R

ESPONSORIAL PSALM 2


The response to the Psalm is: To you O Lord, I lift up my soul.
 
Remember your mercy, Lord, And the love you have shown 
from of old. In your love remember me,
Because of your goodness, O Lord. 
(Response:)
 
Relieve the anguish of my heart And set me free from my distress.
See my affliction and my toil And take all my sins away. 
(Response:)
 
Preserve my life and rescue me. Do not disappoint me, 
you are my refuge. May innocence and uprightness protect me:
For my hope is in you, O Lord. 
(Response:)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 3


The response to the Psalm is: Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord.
 
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice! O Let your ears be attentive 
to the voice of my pleading. 
(Response:)

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,
Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness; 
for this we revere you. 
(Response:)
 
My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on His word, 
My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchmen for daybreak. 
(Response:)
 
Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, 
Israel indeed He will redeem from all its iniquity. 
(Response:)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 4


The response to the Psalm is: In God alone my soul is at rest.
 
In God alone is my soul at rest; my help comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold, my fortress: I stand firm. 
(Response)
 
Take refuge in God all you people; trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him for God is our refuge. R.
(Response)
 
Do not put your trust in oppression nor vain hopes of plunder.
Do not set your heart on riches even when they increase. 
(Response)
 
For God has said only one thing: only two do I know:
That to God alone belongs power and to you, Lord, love. 
(Response)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 5


The response to the Psalm is: My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
Like a deer that yearns for running streams, 
so my soul is yearning for you, my God. 
(Response:)
 
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; 
when can I enter and see the face of God? 
(Response:)
 
These things will I remember as I pour out my soul: 
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd 
In to the house of God, amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, 
the throng wild with Joy.
(Response:)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 6


The response to the Psalm is: Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
 
How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name. 
(Response)
 
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. 
(Response)
 
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. 
(Response)
 
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people,
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 
(Response)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 7


The response to the Psalm is: O Lord, you search me and you know me.
 
O where can I go from your spirit, or where can I flee from your face?
If I climb the heavens, you are there. If I lie in the grave, you are there. 
(Response)
 
If I take the wings of the dawn and dwell at the sea’s furthest end,
Even there your hand would hold me fast. 
(Response)
 
If I say: ‘Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night,’
Even darkness is not dark for you and the night is as clear as the day.
(Response)
 
O search me, God, and know my heart. O test me and know my thoughts.
See that I follow not the wrong path and lead me in the path of life 
eternal. 
(Response)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 8


The response to the Psalm is: My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
 
Like a deer that yearns for running streams, 
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.
(Response) 
 
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; 
when can I enter and see the face of God? 
(Response)
 
These things will I remember as I pour out my soul: 
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd 
(Response)
 
In to the house of God, amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, 
the throng wild with Joy. (Response)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 9

The response to the Psalm is: The Lord is compassion and love.
 
The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to
our faults. 
(Response)
 
As a father has compassion on his children, 
the Lord has pity on those who fear him;
For he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust. 
(Response)
 
As for man, his days are like grass; 
he flowers like the flower of the field;
The wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again. 
(Response)
 
But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who fear him;
He justice reaches out to Children’s children when they keep his 
covenant in truth.
(Response

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 10


The response to the Psalm is: The Lord fills the earth with his love.
They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen 
as his own. 
The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love. 
(Response)
 
Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. 
In him don our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name. 
(Response)
 
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. 
(Response)

New Testament

NEW TESTAMENT 1

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
 
Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless what at His appointed moment Christ died for sinful man. It is not easy to die even for a good man—through of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die—but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that He would not fail to save us from God’s anger? 
When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies, now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 2

A Reading from the book of Revelation. 
 
I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, “Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.”
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 3


A reading from the first letter of St. John 3: 1-3
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children: and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed: All we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 4

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians
 
You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about “times and seasons”, since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying “How quiet and peaceful it is” that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it.
 
But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 5

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
 
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. 
For I am certain of this; neither death or life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 6


A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 
 
We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. 
We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord’s coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another.
 
The Word of the Lord

NEW TESTAMENT 7


A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 
 
We do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen, but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 8


A reading from the 2nd letter of St. Paul to Timothy
 
As for me, I am already on the point of being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserve for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
 
The Word of the Lord

NEW TESTAMENT 9


A reading from the Book of Revelation
 
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
 
The Word of Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 10


A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 
 
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 11


A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans
 
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us. 
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 12


A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians.
 
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
 
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired song to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 13


A reading form the letter to the Hebrews
 
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. Yet all of them died without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth.
People who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been speaking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
 
The Word of the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT 14


A reading from the first letter of St John
 
My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean; not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away. 
My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.
 
The Word of the Lord

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 1

Priest: We are made in the image and likeness of God. 
As trusting people we pray to our merciful God.
 
1. We pray for N. that God will reward him/her with peace and joy for the good he/she did during his/her life. Lord Hear Us.
 
2. We pray for the gift of eternal life: That N. will be received into the Lord’s loving embrace. Lord Hear Us.
  
3. We pray for the family and friends of N. who shared a long life with him/her and looked after him/her. That God may now strengthen them, through their love for each other and their faith. Lord Hear Us.
  
4. We pray for this assembly: that we may keep our minds and hearts on the kingdom that lasts forever. Lord Hear Us.
 
Priest: Eternal God, as Saint Augustine taught us, you have made us for yourself alone, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Secure in this knowledge, we ask you to grant these prayers, through Jesus who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 2


Priest: Christ is the Good Shepherd who gives his life to save those he loves. In our loss, let us turn to him and with confidence make our needs known to him.

1. That God may reward N. for all the love that he/she shared. Lord, hear us.
 
2. That God may visit N.’s family and friends with comfort and peace especially his/her neighbours and those who cared for him/her. Lord, hear us.
 
3. That those who grieve over the loss of N., that they all may be comforted by the knowledge that the Lord will take care of him/her. Lord, hear us.
 
4. For all the faithful departed, especially our relatives and friends and members of this community; that they may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Lord, hear us.
 
Priest: Lord, give us the certainty that beyond death there is a life where broken things are mended and lost things are found; where there is rest for the weary and joy for the sad; where all that we have loved and willed of good exists, and where we will meet again our loved ones. We ask this through Christ who is Lord forever and ever. Amen

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 3

Priest: For those who live a sincere and good life, the hour of death is transformed into an hour of glory, because Christ gives them the crown of eternal life. Let us pray in our hour of loss.
 
1. N. has finally reached the shore of eternity; now that all his/her earthly tasks are completed, my he/she enjoy rest from all his/her labours. Lord Hear Us.
 
2. N. fought the good fight; he/she finished the race; he/she kept the faith; may he/she now receive from Christ the crown of eternal glory which He won for us with His death and resurrection. 
Lord Hear Us.
 
3. That the hardships and sufferings N. endured in this life may gain for him/her full remission of all his/her sins. Lord Hear Us.
 
4. For those who grieve over his/her death; that through their faith in Christ their sorrow may soon be changed into joy. Lord Hear Us.
 
5. For all those who cared for N. that the Lord may reward them for their kindness and patience. 
Lord Hear Us.

6. For all who knew and loved N.: that they may draw inspiration from his/her life. Lord Hear Us.
 
Priest: Lord, may you support us all day long, till the shadows lengthen and evening falls and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done; then in your mercy, Lord, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last. We ask this through Christ our Lord.