Prayers and Poems

P01
Another Leaf Has Fallen,
Another leaf has fallen,
another soul has gone.
But still we have God's promises,
in every robin's song.
For he is in His heaven,
and though He takes away,
He always leaves to mortals,
the bright sun's kindly ray.
He leaves the fragrant blossoms,
and lovely forest, green.
And gives us new found comfort,
when we on Him will lean.

P02
Twenty-Third Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for
Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me. Thou preparest a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou
anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth
over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.

P03
The Blow was Great, the Shock Severe
The blow was great, the shock severe,
We little thought the end was near.
And only those who have lost can tell
The pain of parting without farewell.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
A part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
Nothing can ever take away,
The love a heart holds dear.
Fond memories linger every day,
Remembrance keeps him[her] near.

P04
The Blessing of
St. Francis of Assisi
The Lord bless you
and keep you.
May He show His face
to you and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance
to you and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!

P05
There is a Season for Everything
There is a season for everything, a time for
every occupation under heaven. A time for
giving birth, A time for dying, A time for
planting, A time for uprooting what has
been planted. A time for killing, A time
for healing; A time for knocking down,
A time for building. A time for tears, A
time for laughter; A time for mourning,
A time for dancing. A time for throwing
stones away, A time for gathering them up;
A time for embracing, A time to refrain
from embracing. A time for searching,
A time for losing; A time for keeping,
A time for throwing away. A time for
tearing, A time for sewing; A time for
keeping silent, A time for speaking.
A time for loving, A time for hating;
A time for war, A time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

P06
Prayer of Solace
May Christ support
us all the day long,
till the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then in His mercy may
He give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest and
peace at the last.
Amen.

P07
Serenity Prayer
God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.

P08
When I Must Leave You
When I must leave you for a little while
please do not grieve and shed wild tears and
hug your sorrow to you through the years
but start out bravely with a gallant smile; and
for my sake and in my name live on and do
all things the same, feed not your loneliness
on empty days, but fill each waking hour in
useful ways, reach out your hand in comfort
and in cheer and I, in turn, will comfort you
and hold you near; and never, never be afraid
to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky!

P09
Safely Home
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
oh, so happy and so bright!
There is a perfect joy and
beauty in the everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.
There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand,
do it now, while life remaineth–
you shall rest in God’s own land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
oh, the rapture of that meeting
oh, the joy to see you come!

P10
A Place Where Children Are
What kind of place would heaven be with all
its streets of gold, if all the souls, that dwell up
there like yours and mine, were old? How strange
would heaven’s music sound when harps begin
to ring, if children were not gathered ‘round to
help the angels sing. The children that God
sends to us are only just a loan, He knows we
need their sunshine to make the house a home.
We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile.
He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends
them for a while. Sometimes it takes them years
to do the work for which they come. Sometimes
in just a month or two our Father calls them
home. I like to think some souls up there bear
not one sinful scar. I love to think of heaven
as a place where children are.

P11
Going To Heaven
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourselves to me with tears,
just be happy that we had some years. I gave you
my love, you can only guess how much you
gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the
love you each have shown, but now it’s time
I traveled on alone. Do grieve a while for me
if you must then let your grief be comforted
by trust. It’s only for a while that we must
part, so keep our memories within your
hearts. I won’t be far away, for life goes on,
so if you need me call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be
near, and if you listen with your heart you
will hear, all of my love around so soft and
dear. And then when you must come this
way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile
and say, “welcome home.”

P12
Child’s Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.

P13
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory, forever.
Amen.

P14
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the
hour of our death.
Amen.

P15
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument
of Your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that
we are born to eternal life.

P16
Guardian Angel
Guardian Angel from
heaven so bright,
watching beside me
to lead me aright,
fold thy wings round me,
and guard me with love,
softly sing songs to me
of heaven above.
Amen.

P17
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun of happy memories
that I leave behind when day is done.
Helen Lowrie Marshall

P18
A Little Step Away
To close the eye, to fall asleep,
to draw a labored breath,
to find release from daily cares
in what we know as death–
Is this the crowning of life,
the aim or end thereof?
The totaled sum of consciousness,
the ripened fruit of love?
It cannot be, for works of God
are wrought for nobler ends,
and those away continue on
in the hearts of kin and friends.
It cannot be, for they live on
a little step away, the soul,
the everlasting life,
has found a better day.

P19
Golfers Prayer
“Almighty God, as we play through
our 18 holes of life, we pray that you will
give us a drive that’s both long enough
to reach our goals, and yet straight
enough to keep us out of trouble.

“Help us avoid the traps and hazards
of life; nevertheless, should we find
ourselves in them, give us the tools,
skills and desire
to escape them with no penalty.
May we always stay in bounds.”

“Help us to be willing to stand by -
and not play through - those in genuine
need. May we always play with honor.”

“And finally, when we’ve putted out on
the 18th green, we pray that we will have
demonstrated the integrity of our character,
so that you will judge us worthy enough
to join your threesome and play eternally
on your heavenly course. Amen.”

P20
The Golfers Prayer
Now I Lay Me Down
To Sleep I Pray The Lord
My Life To Keep
Though I Know You’ll
Eventually Take My Soul
Please Let Me Prepare
At The 19th Hole!

P21
Golfer’s Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the shots I miss,
the courage to try, try again,
and the wisdom not to
throw my clubs in the lake.

P22
God Needed an Angel in Heaven
God needed an angel in heaven
to stand at the Savior’s feet;
His choice must be the rarest
a lily pure and sweet.
He gazed upon the mighty throng
then stopped and picked the best,
our child was His chosen one
with Jesus she’s[he’s] now at rest.

P23
Your Gentle Face and Patient Smile
Your gentle face and patient smile.
With sadness we recall
you had a kindly word for each
and died beloved by all.
The voice is mute and stilled
the heart that loved us well and true.
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
from one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one
nor will you ever be as long as life
and memory last we will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
as time goes by we miss you more,
your loving smile, your gentle face
no one can fill your vacant place.

P24
We Sat Beside Your Bedside
We sat beside your bedside,
our hearts were crushed and sore;
we did our best to the end,
‘til we could do no more.
In tears we watched you sinking,
we watched you fade away;
and though our hearts were breaking,
we knew you could not stay.
You left behind some aching hearts,
that loved you most sincere;
we never shall and never will
forget you Mother[Father] dear.

P25
May You Always Walk In Sunshine
May you always walk in sunshine
and God’s love around you flow,
for the happiness you gave us,
no one will ever know.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone,
a part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
A million times we needed you,
a million times we’ve cried.
If love could only have saved you,
you never would have died.
The Lord be with you and
may you rest in peace.

P26
Broken Chain
We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
Ron Tranmer

P27
Walk Alone
Should you go first and I remain,
to walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memories garden, dear,
with happy days we’ve known.
In spring I’ll wait for roses red,
when faded, the lilacs blue.
In early fall when brown leaves fall,
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.
I’ll hear your voice, I’ll see your smile,
though blindly I may grope,
the memory of your helping hand
will buoy me on with hope.
Should you go first and I remain,
one thing I’ll have you do:
walk slowly down that long long path,
for soon I’ll follow you.
I want to know each step you take,
so I may take the same.
For someday down that lonely road,
you’ll hear me call your name.

P28
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious
Virgin Mary, that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thine
intercession was left unaided. Inspired
by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to
thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of
the Word Incarnate, despise not my
petitions, but in thy mercy hear
and answer me. Amen.

P29
Love Lives On
Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
for as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in the heart.

P30
Mother
You can only have one mother,
patient, kind and true;
no other friend in all the world,
will be the same to you.
When other friends forsake you,
to mother you will return,
for all her loving kindness,
she asks nothing in return.
As we look upon her picture,
sweet memories we recall,
of a face so full of sunshine,
and a smile for one and all.
Sweet Jesus, take this message,
to our dear mother up above;
tell her how we miss her,
and give her all our love.

P31
You Toiled So Hard for those you Loved
You toiled so hard for those you loved.
You said goodbye to none,
your spirit flew before we knew,
your work on earth was done.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
as time goes by we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face:
no one can fill your vacant place.
Your life was love and labor.
Your love for your family true.
You did the best for all of us.
We will always remember you.

P32
Ten Commandments for Fishing
Thou shalt have no other sports before
fishing. Thou shalt proudly boast of thy
catch. Thou shalt exaggerate wildly about
the one that got away. Thou shalt not sleep
past dawn. Thou shalt clean thy own
catch. Thou shalt not give away the secret
of thy success. Thou shalt honor the ones
too smart to be caught. Thou shalt practice
the sport as often as possible. Thou shalt
not covet thy neighbor’s reel. Thou shalt
not reveal the source of thy catch. Thou
shalt give thanks to God, creator of all
nature, for the catch of the day.

P33
Memories Live Forever
A bouquet of beautiful memories,
sprayed with a million tears,
wishing God could have spared you,
if just for a few more years.
It does not take a special day,
for us to think of you,
each Mass we hear,
each prayer we say,
is offered up for you.
We cannot bring the old days back,
when we were all together,
our family chain is broken now,
but memories live forever.

P34
I Said A Prayer For You Today
I said a prayer for you today and
know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
although He spoke no word!
I didn’t ask for wealth of fame
(I knew you wouldn’t mind).
I asked Him to send treasures
of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that He’d be near you
at the start of each new day;
to grant your health and blessings
and friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you
in all things great and small.
But it was for His loving care
I prayed for the most of all!

P35
Miss Me
When I come to the end of the
road and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little, but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once
shared, miss me but let me go.
For this journey we all must take,
and each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely
and sick of heart,
go to the friends we know
and bury your sorrows
in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.

P36
Those We Love Must Someday Pass
Those we love must someday
pass beyond our present sight...
Must leave us and the world
we know without their radiant light.
But we know that like a candle
their lovely light will surely shine
to brighten up another place
more perfect... more divine.
And in the realm of Heaven where
they shine so warm and bright.
Our loved ones live forevermore
in God’s eternal light.

P37
If Tears Could Build A Stairwell
If tears could build a stairwell
and memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken,
no time to say good-bye...
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness
and secret tears still flow,
What it means to lose you
no one will ever know.

P38
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free;
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
If my parting has left a void;
then fill it with remembered joy.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
good friends, good times,
a loved one’s touch.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.

P39
Remembrance (for a man)
You can shed tears that he is gone, or you
can smile because he has lived. You can
close your eyes and pray that he’ll come
back, or you can open your eyes and
see he has left. Your heart can be empty
because you can’t see him, or you can be
full of the love you shared. You can turn
your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because
of yesterday. You can remember him and
only that he’s gone, or you can cherish his
memory and let it live on. You can cry and
close your mind, be empty and turn your
back, or you can do what he’d want,
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

P40
A Light is from our Household Gone
A light is from our household gone,
a voice we loved is stilled,
a place is vacant in our home
which never can be filled.
God gave us a beautiful father -
a father who never grew old,
you were always there with a helping
hand help us now to accept His plan.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
as time goes by we miss you more,
your loving smile, your gentle face
no one can take our “father’s place.”

P41
Life is but a stopping place
Life is but a stopping place,
a pause in what’s to be,
a resting place along the
road to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
different paths along the way,
we all were meant to learn some
things, but never meant to stay.
Our destination is a place
far greater than we know,
for some, the journey’s quicker,
for some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
we’ll claim a great reward,
and find an everlasting peace,
together with the Lord.

P42
Remembrance (for a woman)
You can shed tears that she is gone, or
you can smile because she has lived. You
can close your eyes and pray that she’ll
come back, or you can open your eyes and
see she has left. Your heart can be empty
because you can’t see her, or you can be
full of the love you shared. You can turn
your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because
of yesterday. You can remember her and
only that she’s gone, or you can cherish her
memory and let it live on. You can cry and
close your mind, be empty and turn your
back, or you can do what she’d want,
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

P43
I’ll Lend You... A Child of Mine
“I’ll lend you for a little time, a child of
mine, ‘Christ said. For you to love the while
he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead. It
may be six or seven years, or twenty-two
or three, but will you, ‘til I call him back,
take care of him for me? He’ll bring his
charms to gladden you, and should his stay
be brief, you’ll have his lovely memories
of solace in your grief. I cannot promise
he will stay--since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down there I
want this child to learn. I looked the wide
world over, in search of teachers true, and
from the throngs that crowd life’s lane, I
have selected you. Now will you give him
all your love, not think the labor vain--nor
hate Me when I come to you and take him
home again. I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, Thy will be done.” For all the many
joys he’ll bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him
while we may, and for the happiness we’ve
known, forever grateful stay. But should
the angels call for him, much sooner than
we planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief
that comes and try to understand.”

P44
God Looked Around His Garden
God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

P45
A Bouquet of Beautiful Memories
A bouquet of beautiful memories,
Sprayed with a million tears,
Wishing God could have
spared you,
If just for a few more years.
It does not take a special day,
For us to think of you,
Each Mass we hear,
Each prayer we say,
Is offered up for you.
We cannot bring the old days back,
When we were all together,
Our family chain is broken now,
But memories live forever.

P46
To Laugh Often and Much
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded.
By Ralph Waldo Emerson

P47
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
by Robert Frost

P48
If I Should Go
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.

P49
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking
along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life
flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed
footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were
two sets of footprints,
other times there were
one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord, that if
I followed you, you would
walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The times when you
have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

P50
Firefighter’s Prayer
When I am called to duty, God,
whenever flames may rage,
give me strength to save some life,
whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person
from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
and hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling,
and to give the best in me,
to guard my every neighbor
and protect his property.
And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life,
please bless with Your protecting
hand my children and my wife.

P51
She Is Gone
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship spreads her sails to the
morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
I am watching until she fades on the horizon,
and someone at my side says,“She is gone.”
Gone where? The loss of sight is in me,
not in her. Just at the moment when
someone says “She is gone,”
There are others who are watching her coming.
Other voices take up the glad shout,
“Here she comes!”...And that is dying.

P52
I Wish You Enough
I wish you enough sun
to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain
to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness
to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain
so that the smallest joys
in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain
to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss
to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough “Hello’s”
to get you through the final
“Goodbye.