The Statue for Christopher
May 12, 2000
To whom God's love entrusts me here;
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the crowning glory of all who have entered into His heavenly kingdom, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
My brothers and sisters, as we begin to celebrate the blessing of this statue in praise of God and in remembrance of Christopher and all children who now have their home in heaven, we must understand the meaning of this blessing. When the Church blesses a picture or statue and presents it to the faithful, it does so for the following reasons: that when we look at it, we remember those who have followed Christ faithfully... that we will remember to follow the ways of Christ so that one day we too may share his home in heaven... and we remember how those now in heaven have loved us, are near to us and intercede for us in God's kingdom, especially the children.
Just then the disciples came up to Jesus with the question, "Who is of greatest importance in the kingdom of God?" He called a little child over and stood him in their midst and said: "I assure you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God. Whoever makes himself lowly, becoming like this child, is of greatest importance in that heavenly reign. Whoever welcomes on such child for my sake welcomes me. See that you never despise one of these little ones. I assure you, their angels in heaven constantly behold my heavenly Father's face." The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
is on the left in this photo. The priests are
Father Tom Sparacino and Father Paul Bradley, our pastor.
Introductory Prayer (Priest)
Please respond: Lord, hear our prayer.
For our Church leaders, that they may care for the children around the world. We pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all the children who now share God's heavenly home. We pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Christopher, who loved Jesus and Mary so much, may we follow his example of faith. We pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Ron, Maria, Rachel and Mark, may they be consoled in the knowledge that Christopher now shares a new life with God. We pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.
For each of us here, may we grow in the love of God so that we can be an example to others with the good we do. We pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, we bless you, for you alone are holy,
and because in your love for us
You sent into the world your Son, Jesus Christ.
He sent the Spirit to help his newborn Church,
a voice that teaches us the secrets of holiness,
a breeze that strengthens and refreshes,
a fire that sears our hearts in love,
the seed of God the yields in love,
the seed of God that yields a harvest of grace.
Today we praise you
for the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on Christopher
in whose memory we dedicate this statue and for all
children who now share God's heavenly home.
May we follow in the footsteps of the Lord,
keeping before us the example of faith
and love that is shared by the Faller family.
May we proclaim His Gospel by word and deed
and give ourselves for others as you did.
As we carry out our earthly duties,
may we be filled with the Spirit of Christ
and keep our eyes fixed on the glories of heaven,
where you, God, receive those who will reign
with Your Son, forever and ever. Amen.
All: Sing praise to our God, all you His servants, all who worship Him reverently, great and small. The Lord our all-powerful God loves us; let us rejoice, sing praise, and give Him glory.
God, we thank you for this day, a day to honor Christopher's memory in a special way. May God's crowning glory, and the joy of all the saints, continue to bestow the blessings of eternal live on all children. Amen.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you his peace.
And may Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Christopher's Statue
Click on link below to read the insert we placed
in the Saint Sebastion church bulletin on Sunday, April 30, 2000
Bulletin page
for Christopher and others.
