When we had our Mom's funeral a month ago this week, it was the most
moving tribute I'd ever seen. In fact, I had a hand in it by
contacting the musical director of my choir, asking him them to sing
at the Funeral Mass. I'd put together a list of songs that should
be sung: tunes such as "We Will Rise Again," "On Eagles' Wings,"
and "Our Lady of Knock."
I came up with the idea of having the choir sing at the Mass and I
emailed the list to Kevin Drake, our music director, so he could put
the choir's music together.
The Mass began with the song "We Give You Thanks," by Francis
O'Brien, which was sung as the procession made its way in. This
song is a way of giving thanks to God for the beauty of the world
and the gifts he's given us. The responsorial was "I Have Loved
You," which was co-written by David Haas & Marty Haugen, in which
reflect on the everlasting Love that Jesus has for us.
Kumi did a beautiful job in her two solo pieces: "Ave Maria" by
Schubert & "Panis Angelicus" by Cesar Franck. She had been
suffering from neurological problems over the past year, but she's
improving with her bone assisted hearing aid. And of course, her
singing has never been better. Kudos to her on her leading the
congregation.
My cousin John Dalton, who's a local singer himself, thrilled us
with the beautiful "Our Lady Of Knock," which was composed in the
late 1980s. This song tells the story of the apparition of Our Lady
at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland in 1879. Since then, Knock's become
one of Europe's most populsr tourist & pilgrimmage sites. He did a
wonderful job on that.
I read a reading from the book of Wisdom on "the perfect wife,"
which I don't remember myself. I do remember, however, the speeches
given by Diane, Patrice & Siobhan in tribute to my mother. There
were many thoughts that stick in my mind about those, including
Diane's story about how my parents wouldn't accept the
recommendations of doctors and social workers to put me in an
institution because of my learning problems. They fought tooth and
nail to fund the programs that would result in special education for
children like myself. Today, many of these children are hard-
working taxpayers who are making our economy move forward.
Also, Siobhan told the story of how a man whose truck had broken
down asked if he could call his wife. We'd all had a busy Christmas
Day, but when the man needed help, we couldn't refuse. He and his
two children, one of whom was called Noel, which is the French word
for Christmas, warmed themselves in the house while we gave him some
food and drink, some warm clothes, and a few toys for the kids.
That really made our Christmas and was a reminder of how we must
open our hearts to those who need it the most.
At the commendation, the choir sang the "Jesus, Remember Me" motet
by Taize, which is based on the words that the good thief said to
Jesus when he was dying on the cross. After all, as he told his
fellow criminal who was dying with him, "We're getting what we
deserved, but this man's done no wrong." And his offer of being
with him in Paradise is always open to everyone who asks for it.
During the communion rite, after Kumi did her solo, the choir did a
superlative job on the song "On Eagle's Wings," which tells us that
God raises us up from death to life and makes us "shine like the
sun." And as we bore Mom out of the church, the choir sang "We Will
Rise Again," which shows us the foretaste & promise of eternal life
in Heaven. Because the Lord is our strength, we will not grow weary
at all.
It was the most touching funeral I'd ever attended. I believe that
music truly is a source of comfort for those who mourn the loss of
their loved ones. And of course, it reminds us that our friends and
confidants who've left us behind are watching over us in Heaven.
Since Lent begins in a few days, I'm sure that some of these songs
will serve will as we journey towards Easter and the Resurrection of
Jesus. After all, as Mom said, "Lent is Christ rising again." I
love Mom and I miss her an awful lot this Lententide.