THE
FUNERAL MASS
The Funeral Mass was held June 8, 1971, in St. Cecilia's Church. Mrs. Rose Ellis, mother of Father Ray, was present with members of her family.
John Cardinal Dearden, the Archbishop of Detroit and chief Concelebrant, stood in the sanctuary flanked by two hundred diocesan priests who had gathered to pay final tribute to a fellow priest. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Gumbleton, D.D., and the Most Reverend Walter J. Schnoenherr, D.D. were Concelebrants of the Mass. The Cardinal and Concelebrants all wore black vestments, carrying out Father Ellis' refusal to believe that only white is a sign of the resurrection.
Two thousand people jammed the church while the overflow spilled out onto the sidewalk. Others who gathered in the parking lot across the street listened to the eulogies through the outdoor loudspeaker system set up for the occasion. The local CBS and ABC-TV stations had their camera crews present.
In his fine tribute, Father Edward Olszewski quoted the first address Father Ellis made to the people of St. Cecilia's as their pastor, on June 27, 1965. "The priest knows his role only if he knows the secrets of God's inner life...and knows the identity of the people he serves." Father Olszewski reminded his readers that Father Ellis within a relatively short period had gotten to know his parishioners by name. "To know you well, Father Ellis had said, "I must know your name."
In another part of his first address Father Ellis had said, "The priest will be a success only in the measure that his people become the 'People of God,' the people for others! The priest's task is to form his people according to the pattern of Christ.
"The priest is a public man: utterly, completely given over to the people of God. In his service to you, he will find his joy...and his sorrow.
"Priests have told me of the great cost to live as a public man. The door is always open. The more one gives of himself, the more is asked...until all is given away...
"As I assume the burdens and the joys of pastor of the people of God in St. Cecilia's Parish, I commit myself to the task of setting the example to you of being for others...I will live for you so that you will live for each other, and all of us will live for God the Father.
"For this, let us pray for each other."
Continued
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