RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
LeonaHALL RAHMING
RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL FOR
LeonaHALL RAHMING
Born: May 17th, 1940
Died: April 21st, 2024
Age: 83 Years
Service held at HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Robinson and Claridge Roads Nassau, Commonwealth of the Bahamas
SATURDAY, MAY 18TH, 2024 AT 11:00 A. M .
Officiating: FATHER JAY CARTWRIGHT
Deacon D’Arcy Rahming
Organist: MS. VERONICA CARTWRIGHT
Interment: CATHOLIC CEMETERY
Tyler Street Nassau, Bahamas
LeonaHALL RAHMING
LMAY 17TH, 1940 - APRIL 21ST, 2024
On the May 17th, 1940, a beautiful baby girl was born to Albert and Emily Rahming of Calabash Bay, Andros. She was baptized Leona Marie.
eona received her early education at the Calabash Bay All Age School after which she moved to New Providence for a brief period. She later returned to Andros where she was employed at the Small Hope Bay Lodge. She was very ambitious and when there was a vacancy at the Fresh Creek Post Office, she embraced the opportunity to serve her community and her Country. She served with distinction and was often the topic of discussion amongst her peers in Nassau who were very impressed with the excellent work she sent to her head office in Nassau as was the customary back then.
After working for several years, Leona relocated to Nassau for two years to enroll in the College of the Bahamas’ Continuing Education Program where she was successful in her Studies. She continued performing her duties with excellence and so, it was no surprise when she received the Employee of the Year Award in 1998 for the Ministry of Transport. She retired in 1999 and spent her free time traveling to spend time with her children, working in her garden and cooking. Even though she enjoyed all these things, she made it known that working for the Lord was what brought her the most joy. She was a faithful member of Saint
John’s Chrysostom Catholic Church in Fresh Creek, Andros where she served as Parish Council Member, Eucharistic Minister, Choir member and lector.
Leona was blessed with exquisite beauty but did not let it define who she was a person. Instead, she chose to let her inner beauty shine. She had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She was an honest, private, strong - willed and independent, yet sensitive and compassionate person. She was the epitome of grace and class.
Over the last the few months Leona’s health began to decline. She told her loved one that she was tired and was ready to go to be with her Lord and Savior. Even though this was difficult for family and friends to accept, she made it clear that she was transitioning from the things of this world and her focus was on God.
On Friday April 19th, Leona was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital after feeling extremely weak. On Sunday April 21st, God called his faithful servant home to receive her reward. We will miss her soft-spoken voice her delicious meals and her beautiful smile but we’re comforted in knowing that she is resting with the Lord.
LeonaHALL RAHMING
Cherished memories are held by:
her children: Terrance Hall (deceased), Bonnie Knowles, Jeda Knowles - Williams, Troy Knowles, Dellarese Hinsey, and Heda Rich
(17) Grandchildren: Enrico (Ashara) Thompson; Quenton Sr., Tevin, Tyler, Tramaine and Kyler Knowles, Colton (Dominique) Ferguson, Brandon (Ty’Asia) Lewis, Howard Watson Jr., Jarrad and Crystal Waldon, Cameron, and Xavier Rich, Terrance and Tarnisha Hall, Desirae Gray and Kristi Hinsey.
(20) Great grandchildren: Quenton Jr. , Quentera, Quentia, Clinton, Knowles, Harmoni, and Hayden Watson, Kaylen Thompson, King Barnes, Acion, Aden, and A’Bella Kennedy; Colton Jr. and Chloe Ferguson, Ronnae Hopkins, Daniel Zion, Kezia, Bre-sarai, and Shekinah, Wilson; Charlotte Brown.
(2) Brothers: Betram and Vincent Rahming
(1) Grand Aunt: Velma Cargill
Nieces: Giselle, Silvana, Alicia, Tedra, Antia, and Anita, Rahming, Valencia Rolle, Nephew: Javon, Vincent Jr. Yale, Shawn, Robert, Denerio, Arl, Geno, and Miguel Rahming.
Other relatives and friends including: The family of the Late Bernard Rahming of Small Hope Bay, Sharon and Andy Smith, Elizabeth and Donald Evans, Rozelda Thompson, Cynthia Mckenzie, Maydon Rahming, Prince Rahming, Hugh Edgecombe and family, Tano Humes, Terry Neymour- Mckinney, Alley and Ruthmae Hanna, Chris Hinsey, the entire Cargill Family of Nassau and Andros, Apostle Dorenda Dean, Saint John’s Chrysostom and Christ The King Catholic Parishes in Andros, Nurse Albertha Edgecombe and staff of Fresh Creek Clinic, the staff of the Fresh Creek Administrator’s Office, the Rolle family of Calabash Bay, the Hinsey family of love hill Andros, the Edgecombe Family, the Gaitor Family of Fresh Creek, Alice Mortimer and family, the entire communities of Calabash Bay , Love Hill, Fresh Creek, Bowen Sound, Cargill Creek, Behring Point and the entire Central and North Andros Community.
A Special Thanks to : Giselle Rahming, Enrico Thompson,Valencia Rolle ,Ephraim Cargill, Adrian Cargill, Ashara Longwood, Keno Rolle, Apostle Dorenda Dean,Alice Mortimer, Judeen Valentine (Caregiver) Quenton Knowles Jr., Eucharistic Minister Ms. Rosie Wilson from Holy Family Catholic Church who administered the blessed sacrament and held a prayer service with Leona hours before her death. These are the people who made her last days comfortable by spending time ,+ praying and talking with her. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
LeonaHALL RAHMING
+ ORDER OF SERVICE +
Antiphon (together): I place all my trust in You my God: All my hope is in your saving word.
Priest: Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
People: O let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
Priest: If You, O Lord, should mark our guilt; Lord, who would survive?
People: But with You is found forgiveness: For this we revere You.
Priest: My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on His Word:
People: My soul is longing for the Lord more than the watchman for daybreak.
Priest: Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
People: Israel indeed He will redeem from all its iniquity.
Priest: To the Father Almighty give glory; give glory to His Son.
People: To the Spirit most holy, give praise, whose reign is forever.
Antiphon (together): I place all my trust in You my God: All my hope is in your saving word.
GREETING
Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
BLESSING OF THE BODY
Priest: I bless + the body of Leona Hall with the holy water that recalls her baptism of which St. Paul writes: All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. By baptism into His death, we were buried together with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with Him by likeness to His death, so shall we be united with Him by likeness to His resurrection.
ENTRANCE HYMN ...........................................................................................................
There was a time I traveled
A lonely sinful road
Beneath a heavy burden bending low
But now all things are different
For Jesus took my load
It's alright now I'm His I know
“It’s Alright Now” (First Two Verses)
A-down a lonely pathway
Without a friend to guide I walked in sin and sorrow all alone 'Til Jesus came and found me And drew me to His side
It's alright now for I'm His own
It's alright now
For I am in my Savior's care
It's alright now
My Savior hears and answers prayer He'll walk beside me
'Til I climb the heav'nly stair And ev'rything is alright now
PLACING OF THE PALL
Place the white pall on the casket:
(In remembrance of our baptismal garments a white pall shall be placed over the mortal remains of Leona Hall) ............................................. Bonnie Knowles and Enrico Thompson (Daughter and Grandson)
Priest: On the day of her Baptism, Leona Hall put on Christ. On the day of Christ’s coming, may she be clothed in glory.
People: Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN ..............................................................................................................“It’s Alright Now” (Remaining Verse)
No more in sin I wander No more in darkness roam
The Lord has placed My feet on higher ground
Each day new heights I'm gaining My soul is nearing home It's alright now I'm heaven bound
It's alright now
For I am in my Savior's care
It's alright now
My Savior hears and answers prayer
He'll walk beside me 'Til I climb the heav'nly stair And ev'rything is alright now
CEREMONY OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE
Priest: Behold the light of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
Priest: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he dies; yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
People: Yes! We believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God, he who is to come into the world.
Priest: We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night comes when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us pray:
O God, whose nature is always to forgive and to show mercy, we humbly implore you for your servant Leona Hall, whom you have called to journey to you, and, since she hoped and believed in you, grant that she may be led to our true homeland to delight in its everlasting joys, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
(Please be seated)
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-12
Mrs. Valencia Rolle (Niece)
Responsorial Psalm ....................................................................................................................... “The Lord is My Shepherd”
The LORD’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie in pastures green; He leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again; and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk thro’ death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill; for Thou art with me, and Thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnishéd in presence of my foes; my head Thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me: and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.´
Second Reading ................................ Book of Paul to the Romans 8:14-23 ......................
Mrs. Dellarese Hinsey (Daughter) Gospel Acclamation .......................................................................................................................................... Alleluia, Alleluia!
Our true home is in heaven, and Jesus Christ, whose return we long for, will come from heaven to save us.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
GOSPEL ...............................................................................................................................................
Deacon D’Arcy Rahming
(After the Gospel, please be seated)
HOMILY .................................................................................................................................................... Father Jay Cartwright
(Please stand for the Intercessions)
INTERCESSIONS ................................................................................................................................ Deacon D’Arcy Rahming
(After Intercessions, please be seated)
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS .............................. Quenton Knowles Jr. & Tevin Knowles (Great Grandson and Grandson)
PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
OFFERTORY HYMN ............................................................................................................................................. “Take My Life”
Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.
Priest: Pray brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.
People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His Name, for our good, and the good of all His Holy Church.
(Please stand)
- LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST –
T HE PREFACE SANCTUS
People: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
(Please kneel)
Priest: The mystery of faith.
PROCLAMATION OF FAITH
People: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
DOXOLOGY
Priest: Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, forever and ever.
People: Amen.
(Please stand)
THE COMMUNION RITE –
Priest: At the Saviours command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say
People: THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant us peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
People: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And with your spirit.
(After the ‘Lamb of God,’ please kneel.)
LAMB OF GOD
COMMUNION HYMN “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
MEDITATION
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow— Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Mrs. Tanya Hanna”
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
(Please stand for the Prayer of Commendation)
FINAL COMMENDATION
(Pall is removed and body is incensed in silence)
Priest: Let us pray:
Trusting in God, we have prayed together for Leona Hall and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see Leona Hall again and enjoy her friendship. Although this congregation will disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of his kingdom. Therefore, let us console one another in the faith of Jesus Christ.
SONG OF FAREWELL
Priest: Saints of God, come to her aid! Come to meet her angels of the Lord.
People: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
Priest: May Christ, who called you, take you to Himself, may angels lead you to Abraham’s side.
People: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
Priest: Give her eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on her forever.
People: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
PRAYER OF COMMENDATION
Priest: To you, O Lord, we commend the soul of Leona Hall your servant; in the sight of this world she is now dead; in your sight may she live forever. Forgive whatever sins she has committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant her everlasting peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Deacon: In peace let us take Leona Hall to her place of rest.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder, Why it should be thus all the day long; While there are others living about us, Never molested though in the wrong.
Farther along we’ll know all about it, Farther along we’ll understand why; Cheer up, don’t worry, live in the sunshine, We’ll understand it all by and by.
When death has come and taken our loved ones, It leaves our home so lonely and drear; Then do we wonder why others prosper, Living so wicked year after year.
Priest: Let us pray:
“Farther Along”
Faithful till death said our loving Master, A few more days to labor and wait; Toils of the road will then seem as nothing, As we sweep through the beautiful gate.
When we see Jesus coming in glory, When He comes from His home in the sky; Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion, We’ll understand it all by and by.
RITE OF COMMITTAL + AT THE CEMETERY +
Our sister Leona Hall has gone to her rest in the peace of Christ. May the Lord now welcome her to the table of God’s children in heaven!
With faith and hope in eternal life, let us assist her with our prayers.
Let us pray to the Lord also for ourselves. May we who mourn be reunited one day with our sister; together may we meet Christ Jesus when he who is our life appears in glory.
Priest: We read in Sacred Scripture: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, says the Lord, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
PRAYERS OVER THE GRAVE
Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.
Grant that our sister may sleep here in peace until you awaken her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life. Then she will see you face to face and in your light will see light and know the splendour of God, for you live and reign for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: People:
By Your coming as man
By Your birth.
By Your baptism and fasting.
By Your suffering and Cross.
By Your death and burial.
By Your rising to new life.
By Your return in glory to the Father.
By Your gift of the Holy Spirit.
By Your coming again in Glory.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
Lord, save your people.
COMMITTAL
Priest: Insure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister, Leona Hall and we commit her body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace.
Priest: With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
People: Our Father …
Priest: May the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Amen.
Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, + and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
There will be a happy meeting In heaven I know
When we see the many loved ones We’ve known here below Gather on the blessed hilltops With hearts all aglow That will be a glad reunion day
Glad day a wonderful day
Glad day a glorious day
There with all the holy angels And loved ones to stay That will be a glad reunion day
GRAVESITE HYMNS
“GLAD
REUNION DAY”
There within the holy city We’ll sing and rejoice Praising Christ the blessed Savior With heart and with voice Tell Him how we came to love Him And make Him our choice That will be a glad reunion day
When we live a million years In that wonderful place Basking in the love of Jesus Beholding His face It will seem but just a moment Of praising His grace That will be a glad reunion day
“WHEN
PEACE LIKE A RIVER”
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord! Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Today I say a final good bye
to my best friend, buddy and pal. I know that the deepest secrets we shared passed with you. You were my first true love and taught me how to love. I remember asking you how to treat a girlfriend and you replied, “Just a little bit less than you treat your mom.” I didn’t get to ask how to treat a wife but it’s safe to say, you would say treat her like you treat your mother. Honesty, punctuality and being reliable are some of the principles that you’ve instilled in me that has molded me into the man I am today. Our story will go down in history partly because both you and I found doors being opened way beyond our imagination and expectations. Love you Mom. You were the best!
Your Son Troy
TO MY FIRST LADY…
Losing you mother is one of the deepest sorrow my heart has ever known. Your love, goodness, caring spirit and wisdom lives on and your legacy of love will forever be with me.Mommy, you’re not gone away because you walk beside me every day, unseen, unheard but always near. Mommy you are so loved! Missing you MY FIRST LADY!
Your Daughter Jeda
Mommy
, when I think of you, it’s like a never-ending song in my heart that brings comfort and happiness. I pray that heaven has lots of roses, so I can ask God to give you a rose every day. When I think of all the sacrifices, devo tion, love and tears we both shared, I’m eternally grateful to call you my mother.
Leona Rahming - Hall, as your body leaves me today, I will cry and I don’t know when that will end but the biggest joy I have is knowing that God gave me a beautiful rose in a garden and that was you. Mommy, my love for you will live on forever!
Your daughter Bonnie
A TRIBUTE TO MY Mommy
As I reflect upon my mother, I smile. She was a caring, loving and spiritual woman. My summers and holidays we spent together were filled with fun, laughter and love. She will be missed and forever loved.
Your Daughter: Heda Cemone Rich
Ms.DearestHall,
even though you prepared me for this day, this is so hard! You’ve been my confidant, friend, encourager and prayer warrior for so many years. Oh how I miss our daily conversations, your delicious meals, your soothing voice and your infectious smile. Your beauty, intellect and charm was intriguing to all who was blessed to be around you. I consulted you on any issue I was facing and you always gave wise counsel. I’m grateful to God for bringing us together. It’s been a gift I’ll cherish forever. You’ve told me numerous times that you did not fear death and was ready to be with the Lord, so that brings me immense comfort. Thanks for speaking blessings over my life!
PALL BEARERS
HONOURARY PALL BEARERS
