Funeral Planning
The Catholic Funeral Rites are some of the most beautiful liturgies of the Church. They are sacred, ancient, and rich in meaning in the “handing over” the body to our Lord. It is important to note that they are not a “celebration of life” in the secular meaning but one of handing back to God that which He alone created.
Tributes, Videos and Eulogies
Videos, individual tributes or eulogies are not permitted at the funeral Mass. They are reserved for the Vigil or Rosary service (normally, the afternoon or evening before the day of the Funeral Mass) or for a reception following the funeral liturgy.
Comportment
Conduct in the church itself, including but not limited to speech, dress, and behavior by all persons in attendance is expected to be dignified and respectful befitting the House of God. If proper etiquette cannot be reasonably assured by all in attendance in a Catholic church, serious consideration should be given to an alternate venue for the service.
Requiem Mass / Funeral Service / Graveside committal
A Requiem or a Funeral Service is provided. A Funeral Service is recommended for those who are not practicing Catholics. A Funeral Service can be celebrated in the church with a priest or deacon. It can also be held in other locations such as mortuaries or cemeteries that may or may not be recognized as Catholic in particular. A Requiem Funeral Mass must be held in a Catholic church. Following the funeral, a graveside committal service is also available.
Funeral Planner
Planning a funeral can be overwhelming. Our Lady of Hope Parish and your local funeral home will assist you in every step along the way. Whether a loved one has recently passed away, or you are looking to plan ahead for your own funeral, the following can serve as a guide:
Step One: Please contact your local funeral home to set up a date for the service. The funeral home will then contact Our Lady of Hope Parish to coordinate and confirm the date. If you have any questions regarding cremation, please see the information on cremation on the Diocesan website.
Step Two: Our Lady of Hope Parish will contact you to determine details for the Mass.
Step Three: Your family will be asked to select readings and music. Please read through the selections below. Then, you can submit your choices digitally in the form to the right of the selections. Please know any song (except Psalms) can be placed in any song category on the form. Individual tributes or eulogies are not permitted at the funeral Mass. They are reserved for the Vigil or Rosary service (normally, the afternoon or evening before the day of the Funeral Mass) or for a reception following the funeral liturgy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call the office.
First Reading Selections
A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel
"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.” Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, others to reproach and everlasting disgrace. But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
UCCSB/2023
A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit have workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to mortals to be busied about. God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil – this is a gift of God. I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered. What now is has already been; what is to be, already is: God retrieves what has gone by.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.
God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil – this is a gift of God.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.
On that day it will be said: “Indeed, this is our God, we looked to him, and he saved us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service has ended, that her guilt is expiated; that she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. A voice says, "Proclaim!" I answer, "What shall I proclaim?" "All flesh is grass, and all their loyalty like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.”
“Yes, the people is grass! The grass withers, the flower wilts, but the word of our God stands forever." Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of good news! Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Cry out, do not fear! Say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is God from of old, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.
He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and summoned from its far-off places, to whom I have said, you are my servant; I chose you, I have not rejected you --
Do not fear, I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Yes, all shall be put to shame and disgrace who vent their anger against you; those shall be nothing and perish who offer resistance. You shall seek but not find, those who strive against you; they shall be as nothing at all who do battle with you. For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
But now, thus, says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; nor will flames consume you. For I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as ransom for you, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you and nations in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; from the east I will bring back your offspring, from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north: Give them up! And to the south: Do not hold them! Bring back my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth: All who are called by my name, I created for my glory, I formed them, made them.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
Sing out, heavens, and rejoice, earth, break forth into song, you mountains, For the LORD comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you; your walls are ever before me.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Job
Then Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! As for me, I know that my vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust. This will happen when my skin has been stripped off, and from my flesh I will see God: I will see for myself, my own eyes, not another’s, will behold him: my inmost being is consumed with longing.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Lamentations
My life is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. My enduring hope, I said, has perished before the LORD. The thought of my wretched homelessness is wormwood and poison; remembering it over and over my soul is downcast. But this I will call to mind, therefore I will hope: The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; they are renewed each morning - great is your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to hope in silence for the LORDs deliverance.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the second book of Maccabees
Judas then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind.
For if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.
Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of the prophet Micah
With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Proverbs
Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. Her husband trusts her judgment; he does not lack income. She brings him profit, not loss, all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and flax and weaves with skillful hands. Like a merchant fleet, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household, a portion to her maidservants. She picks out a field and acquires it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength; she exerts her arms with vigor. She enjoys the profit from her dealings; her lamp is never extinguished at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She is not concerned for her household when it snows—all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her: “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the book of Sirach
For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children; and confirms a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Those who honors his father atones for sins; they store up riches who respect their mother. Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children, and when they pray they are heard. Those who respect their father will live a long life; those who obey the Lord honor their mother.
My son, be steadfast in honoring your father; do not grieve him as long as he lives. Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him; do not revile him because you are in your prime. Kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering – it will take lasting root.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Sirach
With three things I am delighted, for they are pleasing to the Lord and to men: Harmony among brethren, friendship among neighbors, and the mutual love of husband and wife.
How becoming to the gray-haired is judgment, and a knowledge of counsel to those on in years! How becoming to the age is wisdom, understanding and prudence to the venerable! The crown of old men is wide experience; their glory, the fear of the Lord.
There are nine who come to my mind as blessed, a tenth whom my tongue proclaims: The man who finds joy in his children, and he who lives to see his enemies’ downfall. Happy is he who dwells with a sensible wife, and he who plows not like a donkey yoked with an ox. Happy is he who sins not with his tongue, and he who serves not his inferior. Happy is he who finds a friend and he who speaks to attentive ears. He who finds wisdom is great indeed, but not greater than he who fears the Lord. Fear of the Lord surpasses all else, its possessor is beyond compare.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the Song of Songs
The sounds of my lover! here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. See! He is standing behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me, “Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB
A reading from the book of Wisdom
God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome; there is not a destructive drug among them, nor any domain of Hades on earth. For righteousness is undying. For God formed us to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made us.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Wisdom
The souls of the righteous 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 to others, indeed, they seem 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. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to 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.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Wisdom
The souls of the righteous 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 to others, 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. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their judgement they shall shine, and dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.
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 his elect.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Wisdom
The righteous one, 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 passes for gray hair, and an unsullied life is the attainment of old age.
The one who pleased God was loved; living 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 the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Zephaniah
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged! The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty savior; who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love, who will sing joyfully because of you, as on festival days. I will remove disaster from among you. So that no one may recount your disgrace. At that time I will deal with all who oppress you; I will save the lame, and assemble the outcasts. I will give them praise and renown in every land, where they are shamed. At that time I bring you home, and at that time I will gather you. For you I will give you renown and praise, among all the peoples of the earth. When I bring about your restoration before your very eyes, says the Lord.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB 2023
Psalm
23: The Lord is My Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
25: To You O Lord, I lift up my soul.
27a: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
27b: I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
42: My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see Him face to face?
63: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
103a: The Lord is kind and merciful.
103b: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
116: I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
122a: I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord.
122b: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
130: I hope in the Lord, I trust in His word.
143: O Lord, hear my prayer.
Second Reading Selections
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gift of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Set your hearts on the greater gifts. I will show you the way, which surpasses all the others.
If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give everything to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.
Love never fails.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
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. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and place us with you into 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.
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. For in this tent we groan, longing to be further clothed with our heavenly habitation if indeed, when we have taken it off, we shall not be found naked. For while we are in this tent we groan and are weighed down, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the first letter of John
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.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the first letter of John
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the first letter of Peter
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB 2023
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory: rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the book of Revelation
I, heard a voice from heaven say to me: “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on,” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “Let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
USCCB 2023
A reading from the book of Revelation
I, John, saw new heavens and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people – and God himself will always be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true. ”He said to me, “They are accomplished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we now stand, and we boast of our hope for the glory of God. But not only that – even boast of our afflictions! We know that affliction makes for endurance and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue for hope. And this hope will not have us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB 2023
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
If, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
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.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” that is, the word of faith that we preach, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
USCCB
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why then do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
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.
Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
OCF/USCCB
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy
I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
OCF/USCCB