Following is the text of the homily prepared for the Mass of the Resurrection which was celebrated this morning for Mary Evelyn (Lee) Man-Son-Hing.
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'Unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it produces a rich harvest' (Jn 12:24)
On behalf of all our family members, I would like to thank all those who have come to celebrate this Mass with us today. Our thanks also are extended to all those who have visited with us, or sent their condolences in any way over these past days, and to those who are united with us in prayer as we commend our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother to the loving embrace of the Lord.
Mary Evelyn Ho Choi Lee began her earthly life in the city of Colon, Panama on April 4, 1920, and was baptized there, shortly after her birth. Her Catholic faith has always been at the centre of her life, a testament to the lessons about life and love that she most probably learned from her own mother.
Alphonsus Lee, granny's father died when she was only two years old, so she never really knew him. In contrast, we have been so richly blessed because we have had the privilege to know her, to be loved by her, and to learn from her for almost 90 years.
In 1941, she married Victor Vernon Man-Son-Hing, and for the next 56 years, they lived together, raised their children, and taught us all by their words and example, the most valuable lessons of life: the importance of family and of taking care of those in need, the value of humility and of generosity in all things.
Although he did not share her faith traditions, Grandpa never objected to her sharing the values of her faith with us. In fact, it is because of this lady that we have been given the treasure of our faith. As her parents had done before, granny nurtured each of her children and their offspring with love and attention, and was vigilant in teaching us all about faith and the importance of moral values.
Many years ago, I remember the day that granny took me, as a very young child, to Brickdam Cathedral for Mass on what must have been the feast of Saint Blaise. At some point during the liturgy, we knelt at the altar rail and someone (a priest I think) placed two very long lit candles around my throat. He uttered words which I did not understand at the time, but this simple gesture of faith has remained with me to this day.
Evelyn was always a gentle, kind and caring lady who was devoted to her husband and her family. She possessed an unfailing devotion to the Blessed Virgin. On at least one occasion, she welcomed the statue of the Madonna of Fatima, which happened to be traveling in Guyana, into her home, and gathered us all around it to pray the rosary. Throughout her life, she remained faithful to this simple prayer, and encouraged us all to develop our own devotion to the Mother of God.
'Anyone who loves his life will lose it; but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life' (Jn 12:25)
Whether during their years spent in Guyana, or after their arrival here in Canada, granny and grandpa always loved to have their family around them. Anyone who dropped in for a visit would be treated to at least some kind of refreshment, or whatever happened to find its way into the ever-present pots on the stove. The meals we shared so often were always welcome opportunities for telling the stories of our lives, and for weaving the invaluable relationships of love and support that are so important to life.
When they were no longer able to continue the practice of welcoming us into their own home for such occasions, this act of hospitality was taken up by their children, and so the torch has now been passed to the next generation, and to future generations. Ours is now the task of living faith for the benefit of others, loving them without conditions or limits, welcoming those who are particularly in need, and paying particular attention to those who suffer because society would rather cast them aside. Doing this with unfailing love is how she taught us to serve others, inspired herself by the formation she received at Saint Rose's High School in Guyana. She taught us all to give of ourselves without ever counting the cost, and trusting always that we too will one day be rewarded with the gift of eternal life.
'Do not grieve (for those who have died) ... like those who have no hope' (1 Thes 4:13)
Christian faith and Catholic tradition have always taught that all things are gifts from God. From the day of our birth, as we are welcomed into this world, and from the moment of our baptism, when we are welcomed into the Church, we are people of hope who live in trust and faith because Jesus has reassured us through his resurrection, that we too will one day live with God in heaven.
We come to this church today to pray with Evelyn, commending her to the loving embrace of God. This is a moment for which she has waited her whole life. It is a moment for which we all wait, and when it arrives, it is right that we should not grieve without hope because we know that she is now whole and smiling down on us, reunited with her beloved husband, her brother and her sister, and looking forward to the time when we will all be reunited in the Father's house.
In the meanwhile, we approach the altar of grace, to receive here the bread of life, a foretaste of the banquet of rich food with which we are fed. We know that while we live life here on earth, we are always in need of God's forgiveness, for none of us is perfect until we are perfected in death, so we count on the prayers and intercession of the saints, and the love and support of others with whom we walk the road of life, and prepare for the day when we will share the gift of eternal life.
Whether by chance or by providence, granny died just two days before the Solemnity of the All the Saints, and we have prepared for this liturgy while also observing the Memorial of All Souls. Today, the Church remembers and prays with Saint Martin de Porres, a Peruvian-born Dominican priest who spent his life caring for the poor and the needy. May these saints join with the Blessed Virgin in welcoming Evelyn now into the glory of heaven, and may they all look down on us with tender love, even as they intercede for us in the presence of Almighty God.
***
'Unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it produces a rich harvest' (Jn 12:24)
On behalf of all our family members, I would like to thank all those who have come to celebrate this Mass with us today. Our thanks also are extended to all those who have visited with us, or sent their condolences in any way over these past days, and to those who are united with us in prayer as we commend our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother to the loving embrace of the Lord.
Mary Evelyn Ho Choi Lee began her earthly life in the city of Colon, Panama on April 4, 1920, and was baptized there, shortly after her birth. Her Catholic faith has always been at the centre of her life, a testament to the lessons about life and love that she most probably learned from her own mother.
Alphonsus Lee, granny's father died when she was only two years old, so she never really knew him. In contrast, we have been so richly blessed because we have had the privilege to know her, to be loved by her, and to learn from her for almost 90 years.
In 1941, she married Victor Vernon Man-Son-Hing, and for the next 56 years, they lived together, raised their children, and taught us all by their words and example, the most valuable lessons of life: the importance of family and of taking care of those in need, the value of humility and of generosity in all things.
Although he did not share her faith traditions, Grandpa never objected to her sharing the values of her faith with us. In fact, it is because of this lady that we have been given the treasure of our faith. As her parents had done before, granny nurtured each of her children and their offspring with love and attention, and was vigilant in teaching us all about faith and the importance of moral values.
Many years ago, I remember the day that granny took me, as a very young child, to Brickdam Cathedral for Mass on what must have been the feast of Saint Blaise. At some point during the liturgy, we knelt at the altar rail and someone (a priest I think) placed two very long lit candles around my throat. He uttered words which I did not understand at the time, but this simple gesture of faith has remained with me to this day.
Evelyn was always a gentle, kind and caring lady who was devoted to her husband and her family. She possessed an unfailing devotion to the Blessed Virgin. On at least one occasion, she welcomed the statue of the Madonna of Fatima, which happened to be traveling in Guyana, into her home, and gathered us all around it to pray the rosary. Throughout her life, she remained faithful to this simple prayer, and encouraged us all to develop our own devotion to the Mother of God.
'Anyone who loves his life will lose it; but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life' (Jn 12:25)
Whether during their years spent in Guyana, or after their arrival here in Canada, granny and grandpa always loved to have their family around them. Anyone who dropped in for a visit would be treated to at least some kind of refreshment, or whatever happened to find its way into the ever-present pots on the stove. The meals we shared so often were always welcome opportunities for telling the stories of our lives, and for weaving the invaluable relationships of love and support that are so important to life.
When they were no longer able to continue the practice of welcoming us into their own home for such occasions, this act of hospitality was taken up by their children, and so the torch has now been passed to the next generation, and to future generations. Ours is now the task of living faith for the benefit of others, loving them without conditions or limits, welcoming those who are particularly in need, and paying particular attention to those who suffer because society would rather cast them aside. Doing this with unfailing love is how she taught us to serve others, inspired herself by the formation she received at Saint Rose's High School in Guyana. She taught us all to give of ourselves without ever counting the cost, and trusting always that we too will one day be rewarded with the gift of eternal life.
'Do not grieve (for those who have died) ... like those who have no hope' (1 Thes 4:13)
Christian faith and Catholic tradition have always taught that all things are gifts from God. From the day of our birth, as we are welcomed into this world, and from the moment of our baptism, when we are welcomed into the Church, we are people of hope who live in trust and faith because Jesus has reassured us through his resurrection, that we too will one day live with God in heaven.
We come to this church today to pray with Evelyn, commending her to the loving embrace of God. This is a moment for which she has waited her whole life. It is a moment for which we all wait, and when it arrives, it is right that we should not grieve without hope because we know that she is now whole and smiling down on us, reunited with her beloved husband, her brother and her sister, and looking forward to the time when we will all be reunited in the Father's house.
In the meanwhile, we approach the altar of grace, to receive here the bread of life, a foretaste of the banquet of rich food with which we are fed. We know that while we live life here on earth, we are always in need of God's forgiveness, for none of us is perfect until we are perfected in death, so we count on the prayers and intercession of the saints, and the love and support of others with whom we walk the road of life, and prepare for the day when we will share the gift of eternal life.
Whether by chance or by providence, granny died just two days before the Solemnity of the All the Saints, and we have prepared for this liturgy while also observing the Memorial of All Souls. Today, the Church remembers and prays with Saint Martin de Porres, a Peruvian-born Dominican priest who spent his life caring for the poor and the needy. May these saints join with the Blessed Virgin in welcoming Evelyn now into the glory of heaven, and may they all look down on us with tender love, even as they intercede for us in the presence of Almighty God.
2 comments:
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Your words paint a picture clearly and give those who did not know her a glimpse into the woman we wished we could have met. Many prayers were said for the repose of her soul.
Beautiful... full of love, respect and admiration for what this lovely woman stood for. Do doubt she was welcomed in Heaven with open arms.
My thoughts are with you and yours...
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