Rafael McDonald

ORDER OF FUNERAL MASS

RAFEL FRANKLIN McDONALD

Sacred Heart Church, Hillsborough 3rd May 2024 at 10:30am

Officiating Minister

Father Michael Umameh

Opening Hymn: Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I am found Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

We have already come 'Twas grace has brought us safe thus far And grace will lead us home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years Bright, shining as the sun

We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I am found Was blind, but now I see.

Welcome and Mass Begins

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord be with you. And also, with your spirit.

Opening Prayer

The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading - Lisa Beckford

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 6:3–4.8–9

Let us live a new life.

When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised, we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life. But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him anymore.

The word of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)

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 in 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 furnished, 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 - Neriah Thompson

A reading from the Book of Revelation (21:1-7)

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning, and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

The word of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia

Come, you whom my Father has Blessed, says the Lord: Take for your heritage the Kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world (Mt 25: 34).

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 11: 25-30

At that time Jesus said in reply, “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 labour 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.

The Gospel of the Lord. / Thanks be to God

Eulogy - Read by Janet Thompson

Homily

Bidding Prayers

The Liturgy of the Eucharist Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

People: It is right and just.

Communion Hymn

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow with humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Post Communion Prayer

The Final Commendation

May the Choir of Angels Come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise. May the Lord enfold you, In His mercy.

May you find eternal life.

Recessional Music: Ave Maria

As I kneel before you, As I bow my head in prayer, Take this day, make it yours and fill me with your love.

Ave Maria, Gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Benedicta tu.

All I have I give you, Every dream and wish are yours, Mother of Christ, Mother of mine; present them to my Lord.

As I kneel before you, And I see your smiling face, Ev'ry thought, ev'ry word Is lost in your embrace.

Acknowledgements

The family would like to thank everyone for the support, prayers and expressions of love show to them during this time of great loss.

Special thanks also to Earl Marshall Nursing Home, and Rafael’s neighbours Mairi-Ann and Shaun.

Refreshments

The family would like you to join then for refreshments at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW