We gather in this moment and place to mourn, pray our goodbyes and celebrate the life of Agnes Marsh. May the God of all consolation be with us today! We begin by using the symbol of water. For all of us, the rush of water announced our birth.+ In the waters of baptism, Agnes died and rose with the Christ to new life. + On that day, she was given the promise of resurrection, as a beloved daughter of the Holy One. + May she now share eternal glory.
Opening Song:God Beyond All Names- Bernadette Farrell
God, beyond our dreams, you have stirred in us a memory,
you have placed your powerful spirit in the hearts of humankind.
Refrain:All around us, we have known you;
all creation lives to hold you, In our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth.
God, beyond all names, you have made us in your image,
we are like you, we reflect you, we are woman, we are man. Ref
God, beyond all words, all creation tells your story,
you have shaken with our laughter, you have trembled with our tears. Ref
God, beyond all time, you are laboring within us;
we are moving, we are changing, in your spirit ever new. Ref
God of tender care, you have cradled us in goodness,
you have mothered us in wholeness, you have loved us into birth. Ref
Liturgy of Word and Memory
First Reading:Proverbs 31:10-31 [abridged] (Sandi Dietlein)
What is worth more than a woman of noble character? She is more precious than jewels. Her family has full confidence in her, and lacks nothing of value. She brings good not evil to her house all the days of her life. She rises before dawn to put into motions the working of the household. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she rejoices in the future.
She speaks with wisdom, and words of kindness come from her mouth. Her children rise up and bless her. She who fears Yahweh is worthy of praise. May she be filled with the fruit of her hands and may her good works be praised.
These are words of wisdom written by several of our Jewish ancestors, and we affirm them by saying: AMEN!
Psalm Response: “Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen [Ps 23]
God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want. I rest in the meadows of
faithfulness and love. I walk by the quiet waters of peace. Ref
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul. You lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth. My spirit shall sing the music of your name. Ref
Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side; Your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. Ref
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my power to hold. Ref
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God for evermore. Ref
Second Reading:1 John 3:1-2(Mary Ellen Lorini)
See what love Abba God has lavished on us in letting us be called God’s children! My dear friends, we are now God’s children, but it has not been revealed what we are to become in the future. We know that when it comes to light we will be like God, for we will see God as God really is.
These are words from the first letter attributed to John, and we affirm them by saying:All:AMEN!
Jesus looked up to heaven and said, Abba, I ask that those you gave me may be here with me, so they can see this glory of mine which is your gift to me because of the love you had for me before the foundation of the world. Righteous One, the world hasn’t known you, but I have; and these people know that you sent me. To them I have revealed your Name, and will continue to reveal it so that the love you have for me may live in them, just as I may live in them.
After Jesus had said this, he carried his own cross to the Place of the Skull—in Hebrew, “Golgatha.” There they crucified him, along with two others, one on each side. Standing close to Jesus’ cross were his mother; his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
These are words from the Gospel attributed to John, and we affirm them by saying:All:AMEN!
Homily/Eulogy
Intercessory Prayers(Tom Berardi)
Sisters and brothers, confident that God hears our prayers, we pray:
[short pause after each petition]
-At her baptism, Agnes was anointed as God’s beloved daughter and welcomed into the Christian community. May she now be welcomed in glory by all holy women and men to enjoy forever the pledge of eternal life.
-Agnes was nourished at many tables and celebrated the Eucharist each week; may she take her place at the heavenly banquet table where the feasting never ends.
-May Agnes be rewarded for all the goodness and kindness she showered on family, friends and neighbors throughout her life.
-For all the deceased relatives of the Myers, Glynn and Marsh families, in particular for her parents: Harry & Etola; her brothers: Jim and Tom; her beloved husband Bob, daughter Deb and great-grandson Derek; her dear Aunt Adele and cousins Jeanette, Louise and Bob; may they joyfully be reunited in God’s kin-dom.
-For all the residents she leaves behind at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center who were “companions on the journey” and the staff who care for them and exercise a ministry of accompaniment – “walking them home.”
-For all those awaiting surgery and those being treated for cancer, may they experience renewed health and wholeness through the healing ministry of their medical professionals.
-We pray for all those who suffer the ravages of war across the globe and those who simply seek safe refuge for their children and families.
-May the citizens of this great country always choose and elect leaders who will govern wisely, seeking the common good for all in our democracy.
-We pray for all who promote justice by eradicating discrimination based on race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation or religion.
-May we “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly” on our fragile planet, mother Earth, as we celebrate our oneness during this Season of Creation.
-We pray for all the cares and concerns that we hold within our hearts.
O Holy One, you know our needs before we even speak. Yet, we must speak, if only to remind ourselves of our responsibility to care for the least among us. With your grace, may we act with courage and conviction responding to the needs of our neighbor. Strengthen our faith and reassure our hope in resurrection and new life for Agnes this day; and may we all be gathered together again in the joy of God’s kin-dom. AMEN!
Liturgy of Eucharist
P1:Blessed are you, God of all creation. Through your goodness, we have this
Bread from a seed within the earth and this wine from the fruit of the vine.
They have been fashioned by human hands and will become our spiritual food
and drink. All: Blessed be God forever!
P2:My friends, our God is with us! So, lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to our God!
Let us give thanks to our God. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise!
Abba / Amma God, God who is both Father and Mother,
we have come together to give you thanks and praise for all the wonderful things you have done and continue to do for us. They are signs to us of your presence in our world. We thank you for creation, your first sacrament and sign of your presence. We praise you for the sun and moon which provide light; for rain and snow which provide water; for our earth that provides plants and food.
P1:O Holy One, in time, Yeshua (Jesus) was born. His incarnation brought a new and radiant light to our world. He made you visible for those with eyes to see and hearts open to receive your Word. Jesus, your beloved, often told stories using parables. He taught us that nothing, absolutely nothing can ever separate us from your love. He cured sick people. He cared for those who were poor and wept with those who were sad. He showed us how to be kind and to love everyone from the least to the last, as sisters and brothers in one human family. He forgave faults and taught us to forgive each other. He took children in his arms and blessed them.
Eternal God, throughout the world people of every race, language and way of life praise you for your goodness. We now join our prayer with Christians everywhere: with Francis, the Bishop of Rome—our Pope, and all those women and men who exercise the role of Apostle and Shepherd in leading all communities of faith.
P2:We open wide the circle around this table to the memory of all the joyful troubadours and faithful servants who have gone before us. We remember Myriam, the mother of Jesus, the Apostles, the saints and all holy women and men, including our family and friends. Joined with them and all creation, we sing: Here in this Place -Christopher Grundy
may your presence here open our minds May your Spirit among us, help us to find You are rising up now like a fountain of grace, from the holy ground Here in this place Here in this place
Holy, holy, holy God Of love and majesty The whole universe speaks of your glory From the holy ground Here in this place Here in this place
P1:We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and around us at this Eucharistic table. We call upon this same Spirit to transform this bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus, your beloved. May we also be transformed and remember our call to be the Christ presence in our world.
P2:On the night before he died, Jesus was having supper with his companions and friends. He recalled all that he taught them, and in a final act of humble service, he bent down and washed their feet, like the least of household servants. When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, said the blessing, and gave it to them, saying:
Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body.
P1:When the meal was ending, Jesus took the final cup of wine. Again he thanked you and gave it to his friends, saying:
Take this all of you, and drink from it:
this is my blood which is poured out for you and for all.
Do this in memory of me.
Indeed, we do now what Jesus told us to do. And so, gracious God, we offer you the bread that gives life and the cup that saves. Jesus brings us to you; welcome us as you welcome him. Let us proclaim our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ is present with us now!
P2:God of compassion, you never forget any of your children wherever we may be on life’s journey. We pray for those we love, and those who are suffering from pain or sorrow this day.
We pray for Agnes and all who have died; they are now in your eternal embrace for all
time. When our time comes, reunite us once again with our family, friends, and all the saints where we will praise you without ceasing.
P1:We also pray for ourselves. We remember our own baptismal call to be salt and light in our world; to be reconcilers and healers, and to love even our enemies. May we be inspired by valiant women and noble men, as Agnes was in her life. Remembering all that Jesus taught, we are filled with wonder and praise and so we sing:
[lifting the plate and cup]
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, Almighty God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Jesus PrayerMary Theresa:Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Holy One,
you are within, around and among us. We celebrate your many names. Your wisdom come; your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us. Each day you give us all that we need. You remind us of our limits and we let go. You support us in our power, and we act with courage. For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us, now and forever.Amen.
-Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
P1: Communion Litany: [invite all to pray as the Bread is broken]
O God of Courage, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice.
All: We will live justly!
O God of Compassion, You call us to be Your presence in the world.
All: We will love tenderly!
O God of Truth, You call us to speak truth to power.
All: We will walk with integrity in your presence.
Jesus modeled for us an open table, and so all are welcome to receive at this table. This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Eat and drink and savor God’s goodness. As we share communion, we will become communion. May we be nourished to respond to the needs of neighbor and our world. Amen!
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Refrain:Gentle woman, quiet light, morning star, so strong and bright
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father; you were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women and for woman, shining one.Ref
Blessed are you among women, blest in turn all women, too.
Blessed they with peaceful spirits. Blessed they with gentle hearts.Ref
