The St. Charles Circle of Caring helps families plan an appropriate final tribute to their deceased loved one through the funeral liturgy or Memorial Mass.  There are several things the family can do to have the liturgy reflect the life and interests of the deceased.  They include:

• Select the Readings -- There are usually three readings to select: one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament (excluding the four Gospels), and one from the Gospels.  Readings that are most often selected by families.
  
• Select the Hymns -- There are usually five hymns: Entrance, Offertory, Communion, Song of Farewell, and Recessional.  The hymns are usually selected from St. Charles' hymnal, "Breaking Bread," so that the entire congregation can participate in the singing.  List of the hymns that are most often chosen by families.
  
• Prayers of the Faithful -- Families are encouraged to select or write Prayers of the Faithful that recognize those who played an important part in the life of the deceased.  Prayers of the Faithful that are selected most often.
  
• Presenting the Gifts -- Family members often choose to bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar.
  
• Remembrance -- Sometimes a family member or close friend of the deceased will give a brief remembrance at the close of the Mass.

We are guided in our preparation of these liturgies by a booklet published by Ave Maria Press, "Through Death to Life: Preparing to Celebrate the Funeral Mass," by Fr. Joseph M. Champlin

Most Selected Readings

Old Testament

Wisdom 3:1-6

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

Wisdom 4:7-15

The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported – snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his select.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a season for everything, a time 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 up; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing. A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for throwing away. A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking. A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace.

New Testament

1 Corinthians 15:51-56

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed , in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: "Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.

1 John 3:1-2

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12

When he saw the crowds, Jesus went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Matthew 11:25-30
On one occasion Jesus spoke thus: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

John 12: 24-26

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Most Selected Hymns

• Amazing Grace
• Ave Maria
• Be Not Afraid
• Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
• Here I Am, Lord/ Aqui Estoy, Senor
• How Great Thou Art
• I Am the Bread of Life
• Let There Be Peace on Earth
• Now Thank We All Our God
• On Eagle's Wings
• One Bread, One Body
• Pan de Vida
• Peace Is Flowing Like a River
• Pescador de Hombres /Lord, You Have Come
• Prayer of St. Francis/ Oracion de San Francisco
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand
• We Gather Together
• Whatsoever You Do
• O Loving God

Most Selected Prayers of the Faithful

For (name), who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that s/he now be admitted to the company of saints, we pray to the Lord …
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all the members of (name)'s family, especially (names), that they find consolation and peace, healing for their pain, and strength in their faith, we pray to the Lord …
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

For the deceased members of (name)'s family, especially (names), and all his/her friends who have gone before him/her, that they may be united in an everlasting home with your Son, we pray to the Lord…
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

That those who bear the cross of pain in mind and body may never feel forsaken by God or their neighbors, we pray to the Lord…
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all those who suffer from illness, that they will be given the relief that medicine can offer and the emotional stamina they need to live worthwhile lives despite their suffering, we pray to the Lord…
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For caregivers, that they may find the strength to undertake their tasks with compassion and love, we pray to the Lord…
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For all the elderly of our community; may their years of experience enrich our lives and may they be cherished for the gifts they are to us, we pray to the Lord …
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all the homebound at St. Charles, that there may be someone in their lives to ease the burden of illness or loneliness.
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

That when we come to the end of our allotted days, we may, with (name), be welcomed into the arms of God's mercy, we pray to the Lord …
   R/. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER