Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace.
Jaroslawa belonged to Assumption Ukranian Catholic Church. Her visitation begins today at 4 pm at the Vinton Street Chapel. There will be a Panachyda service at 7 pm. The ceremonies will resume at 9:30 am Saturday morning followed by the Funeral Liturgy at 10 am at Assumption Ukranian Catholic Church with burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
For all the Roman Catholics in Omaha, it would be a great work of mercy to pray for the repose of our faithful departed sister, as well as a great sign of solidarity with our Eastern Catholic brethren. Assumption parish is certainly a small community, but one that is certainly welcoming to Latin Rite Catholics. I encourage you, first, to pray for her soul, but, if you are able, attend the liturgies and behold the beauty of the Eastern Rites. In my experience, the Eastern Rites have deepened my Roman identity and liturgical practice.
Contrary to modern ideas, the expressions of both East and West in their liturgical practices has a lot more in common than we have been led to believe. The differences only highlight the complementarity and dignity of each Rite.
Take the text of the Stikera of the Last Kiss from the Funeral Liturgy, while you pray for the repose of Jaroslawa:
Beholding me voiceless and deprived of breath, weep for me, O brethren and friends, kinsmen and acquaintances. For yesterday I conversed with you, and suddenly the dread hour of death came upon me. But come, all you that love me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For no more will I walk with you or converse with you. For I depart unto the Judge with Whom there is no respect of persons. For slave and master stand together before Him, king and warrior, rich and poor, in equal worthiness; for each, according to his deeds, is glorified or put to shame. But I beg and entreat you all, that you pray without ceasing unto Christ God for me, that I not be brought down unto the place of torment according to my sins, but that He will appoint me to the place where is the light of life.*________________
*More can be found here: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2008/12/funeral-orders-and-offices-of-byzantine.html#.VbuKxfnzNyE
