HUNDREDS of mourners paid their last respects to murdered Liverpool army cadet Joseph Lappin yesterday during a funeral mass in his memory.

The 16-year-old was stabbed during an unprovoked attack involving a gang of youths as he left Shrewsbury House youth club in Everton on October 20.

Yesterday, family, friends and fellow cadets filled St Oswald’s RC Church, in Old Swan, to remember Joseph’s life.

At 12pm, four funeral cars pulled up and Joseph’s close family entered, as Liverpool Scottish Regiment members performed a guard of honour.

A piper led the funeral procession and six of Joseph’s young friends, two in cadet attire, carried his coffin.

The funeral cars were full of tributes and flowers for Joseph.

His mother and father, Toni, 44, and John, 45, wrote: “Joseph, our beautiful son. Still can’t believe that we have lost you. Miss you so much, love you forever.

“Sleep tight, Mum and Dad.”

Once inside, a full congrega-tion sang Lord the Light of Your Love is Shining and Father Mark Madden, leading the ceremony, invited people to place symbols on Joe’s coffin.

Family members gave read-ings in Joseph’s memory, inclu-ding his grandmother, Flo, who read from the Prophet Isaiah.

During a Homily, Fr Madden described Joseph as “popular and loved by everyone”. He said: “Of course, faith does not banish our sense of loss or bewilderment as to why some-thing so tragic had to happen, but faith affirms the great truth that all life is a gift from God.

“This is the faith which first shaped Joe’s life, the gift Joe has been to so many people, even in 16 years, which has been evident since the night of his death and by the sheer numbers here today.

“Popular and loved by every-one, the centre of family life.”

He went on to talk of the teenager’s desire to join the Army and the loveable reputation he had at his school, Cardinal Heenan.

“He had a bright future ahead of him.”

Following the song of farewell and the final prayer, the Last Post and Reveille was sounded with a moment of silence.

Finally, Father Mark led Joe’s coffin and family from the church while You’ll Never Walk Alone was played, in memory of his love for Liverpool FC.

Meanwhile, two men aged 22 and 23, and a 17-year-old boy, arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, have been bailed pending further inquiries.

It means a total of 10 people arrested over the last two weeks remain on bail.

Homily preached by Rev Mark Madden, Parish Priest of the Church of St Oswald, King and Martyr, Old Swan Liverpool, at the Funeral Mass of Joseph Lappin.

Two years ago this week I last visited Jerusalem. I was there for the annual remembrance of All Souls which we celebrated on Monday. Visiting the Mount of Olives, we got talking to a Jewish family who had come to visit their father’s grave. They had a picnic with them and invited us to sit and eat. We shared memories of our loved ones, and then the mother of the family told us this ancient Jewish story:

"A Rabbi and his wife had two sons to whom they were extremely devoted; one morning while the Rabbi was teaching at the synagogue, both boys were struck by a sudden illness and died. Their mother laid them out on the bed and covered them with a white sheet. When the Rabbi came home for his lunch and asked where the children were, his wife said nothing but instead said to the Rabbi. "I am placed in a difficulty," she said, "because some time ago a person asked me to look after some possessions of the greatest of value. But now the owner wants them back. I am unsure of what to do. Am I obliged to return these great valuables to him?"

‘"I cannot believe you are asking this question," said the Rabbi. "There can be no doubt about what you must do. How can you not give back something which doesn’t belong to you?"

‘His wife then rose from the table and asked the Rabbi to follow her. She led him to the room where the two boys lay and pulled back the white sheet. "My sons, my sons," cried the Rabbi. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away," cried the wife. "Blessed be the name of the Lord. You have always taught me to restore without reluctance what has been lent to us for our happiness. We have to return our two sons to the God of all mercies."

None of us ever imagined just over two weeks ago that we would ever be here today, but today we commend and return Joe back to God. Like the wife in the story shows, our faith calls on us not only to cry over our loss of Joe but to celebrate what he now enjoys and to pray for his eternal peace.

In moments such as these we appreciate again, with great thankfulness, the gift of faith. Our sense of loss is shaped and tutored by a clear and consoling faith seen in that Jewish story. We heard the wonderful words of the prophet Isaiah in our First Reading today who expresses the promise of the Lord, fulfilled in Christ, in such wonderful imagery: "The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame..." "The Lord will prepare a banquet of rich food." This is what is hoped for Joe today, who has now reached that holy mountain. I wonder if he will do, on this holy mountain, filled with fine food and drink, what he did when he first went to Cardinal Heenan, when he and friends showed great entrepreneurial skills in selling food and drink to other students.

Like the Jewish woman, we are consoled by our faith in difficult and painful times. Of course, faith does not banish our sense of loss or bewilderment as to why something so tragic had to happen, but faith affirms the great truth that all life is a gift from God.

This is the faith which first shaped Joe’s life, the gift Joe has been to so many people, even in 16 years, which has been evident since the night of his death and by the sheer numbers here today. It’s time to contemplate that gift and to celebrate it as something sacred and special. It’s only when someone is taken from us do we fully realise their true worth. His gift as a son, big brother, grandson, nephew and friend was to share and radiate the love that God has for each and everyone of us, and he would have done that in many different ways. Popular and loved by everyone, the centre of family life. As a member of staff at Cardinal Heenan said at the weekend: "He could be a bit of a rogue, like many of his age, but never a malicious bone in his body. You couldn’t help but love him." He had a bright future ahead of him. Left school because he was desperate to join the Armed Forces and serve his country in whatever way he could, and was justly proud of his membership of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment. Entering this kind of career is a selfless act of love and generosity, especially given the problems and dangers of our world today. It says a lot about Joe, his character and determination. A credit to all who know him!

Through faith we know that the Lord who promises to prepare a place for us, is at work among us even though we can't see it or measure it. Joe now sees and knows the mystery we are unable to find words for. And, we too someday will also know. These burdens we carry will someday fall from our shoulders, and we will know for certain the everlasting life that Jesus died to win for us. Holding onto that reality, no matter how far off it may seem, gives us the strength to carry on, if just for one more day.

Let not Joe’s death be in vain but see that all life is the most precious gift that God has given. If people remembered that, then our world, our country, our city and communities would be a safer place to live in. Only the giver of that gift has the right to ask for that gift back and it’s the job of each and everyone to cherish not just our gift but each other’s.

Let Joe’s death not be in vain, but look to the values we would like and our responses to situations in our life. Take Joe’s love, respect and enthusiasm for life and use it as an example so others to follow. I couldn’t think of a better tribute and one which I’m sure Joe would approve of.

Joe, rest in peace.

lizawilliams