MOURNERS at the funeral of a popular north Belfast man have been told he blessed many with his beautiful music and gentle voice.
Mark Mooney (32), from Dunmore Court, died suddenly on Sunday.
A prominent figure in the musical life of the Down and Connor diocese, he was director of music at Holy Cross parish.
He played the organ, piano, guitar and harp and led the Holy Family Folk Group as well as singing in the Down and Connor choir.
Mr Mooney had been due to take part in a pilgrimage to Lourdes this summer following a previous visit with the Cross Lourdes Pilgrimage Group.
He is survived by his partner Darren, parents Mary and Sean and brothers Daniel, Gerald and Ciaran.
Requiem Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Church in north Belfast today.
Fr Patrick McCafferty said "Mark was deeply wounded".
"As a child of God, when you, Mary and Sean, brought him for baptism, he was immersed in the life of the wounded, crucified and risen Lord. The wounds that, later, in his young life, were inflicted upon him, were committed against a beloved child of God the Father," he said.
"There are such deep wounds, in the soul, heart and psyche, that even the most loving of human hands cannot reach. Your hands, Darren, your hands, Mary and Sean, your hands, Cara, were unable to reach that wounded heart of Mark that was in such pain.
"He wanted to hide it, even from those who loved him most and wanted, for him, only wellness and wholeness."
However, Fr McCafferty said Mr Mooney was "a blessing to so many".
"Countless people were blessed and ministered to by your beautiful music and gentle voice, at Sunday Mass here in Holy Family, in Holy Trinity, in Holy Cross, in St Patrick's, in Glengormley, in Whitehouse," he said.
"You sang the sacred words that are a balm to grieving hearts at so many funerals in churches all over this diocese and way beyond. You enhanced the beauty and joy of so many marriages. Thank you for your ministry, Mark."
