(Note:  This follows the same format as SAMPLE #1
except for the first reading and the reflection. 
There is also a committal service which was done by a member of
the SSVP wake team at the request of the family.)

FIRST READING

A reading from the book of Sirach (Sirach 3: 28-30, 4: 1-10)

The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable and an attentive ear is the wise man’s desire.  Water extinguishes a flaming fire; so alms giving atones for sin.  He who does a kindness is remembered afterward; at the moment of his falling he finds support.
My son, deprive no one of his living and do not keep needy eyes waiting.  Do not grieve the one who is hungry nor anger a man in want.  So not add to the troubles of an angry mind, nor delay your gift to a beggar.  Do not reject an afflicted supplicant, nor turn your face away from the poor.  Do not avert your eye from the needy, nor give a man occasion to curse you; for if in bitterness of soul he calls down a curse upon you, the Creator will hear his prayer.
Make yourself beloved in the congregation; bow your head to a great person.  Incline your ear to the poor and answer them peaceably and gently.  Deliver the one who is wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer and do not be faint of heart in judging a case.  Be like a father to the orphans and like a husband to their mother.  You will be like a son of the Most High and he will love you more than does your mother.

The word of the Lord

REFLECTION

We gather here tonight to remember our brother Gene, to pray for him and with his family. Sandy and the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren:  He always spoke of you fondly… his family…

Gene was a man of duty who answered every time he was called.  He served in world War II because he was called to serve his country.  He worked for many years at Chrysler Canada because he was called to be the husband and father his family needed.  He served many years on the county Catholic school board because he was called to serve education.  And he became a Vincentian because he was called to serve the poor in his own community.

Gene answered each of these calls, I think, because he believed that these calls were his vocation, his call from God.  He said, “Yes Lord,” whenever he was needed.  It wasn’t always an easy ‘Yes’ either.  War is never easy.  Nor is going to work every day, raising a large family or serving your community and continuing to do it faithfully for many, many years.

I knew Gene many years ago as a school board trustee, but mostly as a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.  As a Vincentian, Gene was a rock.  Gene followed the mission of SSVP:  to serve Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.  He kept to his mission and sometimes he made us laugh as we worked together.  He showed many of us here tonight how to do it, how to give feely and generously, in the Vincentian way, without judging our neighbours.  Gene was very generous.  To his children:  I know that at Christmas, families who couldn’t afford it enjoyed a ‘real Christmas dinner’ because your father gave to us instead of to you.  We sincerely thank you for this.

The first reading we heard, from the book of Sirach, is suggested for use at the feast of the founder of SSVP, Blessed Frederic Ozanam.  It speaks of the virtues of Blessed Frederic and also, I think, of the standards that Gene set for his own life and perhaps goals he would like his family and friends to have for themselves.
                  An intelligent person will ponder a parable and an attentive ear is to be desired.
                  As water extinguishes a fire, giving alms atones for sin.  Whoever gives will find support.
                  Do not deprive anyone from making a living.  Don’t keep the needy waiting or avert your eye
                                    from the poor.
                  Deliver the wronged from the hands of the wrongdoer and don’t be fainthearted.
                  Be like a father to the orphan and a husband to their mother.

Gene did these things.  In tonight’s gospel we heard the King of Glory say,” Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.”

Saint Vincent de Paul said, “ How happy will they be who, at the hour of their death, those beautiful words of our Lord; ‘He sent me to bring the Good News to the poor.’”

How happy must Gene be right now!