MICHAEL F. LYNCH 12/12/70 9/11/01

Transcription

1 MICHAEL F. LYNCH 12/12/70 9/11/01

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3 MASS OF CELEBRATION for Michael Francis Lynch December 7, 2001 Saint Frances de Chantal Parish Throggs Neck, New York CELEBRANTS Celebrant Con-Celebrants MUSIC Organist Violinist Vocalists INTRODUCTORY RITE Processional Theodore Cardinal McCarrick Cardinal Archbishop of Washington D.C. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers Brother John LoSasso, O.F.M. Cap. Dr. Jennifer Pascual Andrew Wise Patrick Lynch, Michael s brother Christi Chiapetti Breastplate of St. Patrick LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Hymn Ave Maria Presentation of the Gifts Agnes Lynch PatrickLynch Timothy Lynch AndrewMcCarrick Maureen Dolan Josephine Luccioni John Badalati BrianBurns Communion Hymns Panis Angelicus We Remember EULOGIES Family Thomas Lynch Maureen Lynch Baker Fred Lynch Kathleen Lynch Paul Lynch Stephanie Luccioni LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading The Book of Wisdom 3: 1-9 Lector: John Lynch, Michael s brother Responsorial Psalm Be Not Afraid Second Reading Romans 8:31b, 35, Lector: Kevin Lynch, Michael s brother Alleluia Celtic Allelluia Gospel Reading Matthew 5: 1-12a Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers Homily General Intercessions Theodore Cardinal McCarrick Colleen Lynch Parigen, Michael s sister Friends John Badalati, Speaker Elias Langguth Brian Burns Brian Mulligan Nicholas Corozzo James Murray Gerard Crowe Brian Wiehler Firefighters Engine 40 / Ladder 35 Robert Hagen, Billy Owens Engine 62 / Ladder 32 Captain William Chilson CONCLUDING RITE Blessing and Dismissal Theodore Cardinal McCarrick Recessional Hymn: America the Beautiful

4 He was the fifth son and seventh child in a family of ten children. As an infant, Michael seemed fragile, weathering illness at only two weeks of age. Our family soon learned that our wiry little Michael was a person of great strength strength, bravery, and fortitude. Michael s mother, Kathleen, recalls that despite his slender frame, Michael would remain outdoors for hours, enduring cold and bad weather, to play. One of Michael s greatest qualities was his ability to truly enjoy himself, despite adverse circumstances. This was a quality ideally suited to a firefighter who would son spend his days alternately bat- Michael Francis Lynch was born to Kathleen and Jack Lynch on December 12, bravery firefighter tling dangerous fires and enjoying the company of his fellow firefighters. Michael s brothers and sisters remember him as a small child, at one point afraid to take a bath for fear that there were jellyfish in it. fortitude fisherman Michael grew up an avid fisherman and scuba diver. He was not afraid to face his fears.

5 music lover Michael s love of music became evident to us even when he was a small child. We remember him singing songs such as, "My name is Michael, fiancé I have a nickel..." a song we recently learned was one of his fiancée, Stephanie Luccioni s favorites as a child. Even before they met, Michael and Stephanie shared a love of similar things. gentle, loving Michael was a gentle. loving human being. In the midst of a large family, with all the commotion and activity it generated, Michael was always one to inject humor. We could rely on Michael to make us all laugh. In his quiet, unassuming manner, Michael would offer quips, imitations, and jokes that lightened our hearts. In the Throgs Neck tradition, Michael affectionately bestowed appropriate nicknames on his brothers-in-law. He gave us the gift of funny, lasting memories. uncle funloving His nieces and nephews regarded him as the "fun uncle." Michael always had time for them. He loved children and they loved him. He made sure they had an opportunity to visit him at the firehouse and gave them wonderful memories. brother-in-law godfather

6 disc jockey Michael loved being a disc jockey. He played music for many events including weddings and christenings. He entertained friends regularly in local establishments and was always willing to give of his time to play for charitable events. Michael was an outdoors and sports lover. He played soccer for Cardinal Spellman High School and was captain of his team. team captain Michael was coach of a local boys soccer team. He loved to run, ski, scuba dive, rollerblade, and recently learned to play golf. He loved to be part of many extracurricular activities. coach He belonged to the FDNY Holy Name Society. He loved being part of the fire department he admired the brotherhood and love the fire department gave to him and his family.

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8 OUR THANKS The Lynch family wishes to express our deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to those who supported us with their prayers and sympathetic condolences during this sorrowful and difficult time in our lives. Your generous outpouring of love has helped to make our profound grief bearable. We feel especially blessed that we live in the Throgs Neck community and St. Frances De Chantal parish where neighbors reach out to others to help them cope in times of sickness, pain, and death with unselfish friendship and generosity. We are grateful for the daily supply of food, beverages and desserts, delivered to our home day after day by family, neighbors, local restaurants and delicatessens allowing us to feed ourselves, our family and our visitors and talk with them without interruption. To our extended family, both here and abroad, know that we feel consoled, safe and protected within the great circle of love that is made whole by each of you, whose presence we feel when loneliness visits us at unexpected moments in our daily lives. To our friends, you cannot know the strength we derive from your caring gentle spoken words of kindness and consolation that help make each day a little easier. To the considerate extended family members and neighbors who babysat and fed our grandchildren and sent food so that our children and their spouses could be with us during the difficult hours, your generosity is appreciated. To Michael s friends, the wonderful young adults, know that your visits to our home when we learned that Michael was missing was a great comfort to us, and reminded us of how much joyous living Michael packed into his life and how happy he was to have such great friends. To Michael s brother firefighters, especially those from Engine 62/Ladder32 and Engine 40/ Ladder 35, we are proud that Michael was a member of your Brotherhood. Your courage and bravery in fighting fires and saving lives is only surpassed by your compassion and sensitivity when dealing with bereaved family members. Finally to you Michael our son, brother, uncle, fiancé and now a saint in Heaven, we thank God for making you the courageous, loving, gentle, peacemaker and firefighter you were in this life and we know that God willing we will all be joined together in His presence through eternity. FROM STEPHANIE To my family and friends: Thank you, is not enough to say for all you have done for me. You have all truly shown me what the meaning of family and friendship means. I see Michael shining through each one of you as you all found a way to make me smile. Forever Michael will be with us, and forever he will live through me. Throgs Neck is a community that will live in my heart forever. God bless you all, Love, Stephanie Luccioni

9 FIREMAN 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 losemy life, please bless with your protecting hand my family, fiancée and friends.