Rite of Christian Burial for Paul and Ronda Henkels, St.Petersburg, Florida

Paul Henkels

Ronda Henkels

Presider: Blessing of Cremans(with water from Holy Wells, Knock, Ireland)

Please raise your hand in blessing of Paul and Ronda cremans

Let us pray:

With trust in our loving God, we bring Paul and Ronda, to be buried this day in these beautiful sacred waters.  May they rejoice forever with your angels and saints, and all our beloved friends who have gone before him. We pray in the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reader: Psalm 23: 

All: God is my shepherd, I shall not want.

O my Beloved, You are my shepherd,

I shall not want;

You bring me to green pastures for rest

And lead me beside still waters

Renewing my spirit;

You restore my soul.

You lead me in the path of goodness

To follow Love’s way.

All: God is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Even though I walk through the 

Valley of the shadow and of death, 

I am not afraid;

For You are ever with me;

Your rod and your staff

They guide me,

They give me strength and comfort.

All: God is my shepherd, I shall not want.

You prepare a table before me

In the presence of all my fears;

You bless me with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me

All the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved forever.

Amen.

Reader: New Testament: Gospel: John 14:1-3

Don't let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God;

In God's house there are many dwelling places;

Otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you

And then I will come back to take you, that where I am, there you may be as well. The Word of God. 

All: Thanks be to God.

 

 

Sharing of Memories of Paul and Ronda by family and friends

Presider: At conclusion of Sharing of Memories, we pray:

All: Loving God, we remember the blessings that Paul  and Ronda brought to us.

Let us prayer the prayer of Jesus and Mary together. 

All: Our Father, Hail Mary.

Presider: Benediction

Our hearts are broken but we are grateful for the many ways that Paul  and Ronda blessed our lives. May their spirits know a peace unburdened by earthly pain and trial. May they be at rest, embraced in the unending love of God forever and ever.

Closing Poem: Andrea

“Do not stand at my grave and weep.  I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond that glints on the snow.  I am the sunlight on the ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.” 

Placing of Cremans of Paul and Ronda in the Gulf