Friday, February 10, 2012
Requiescat In Pace
Dave Maynard, another icon of my years growing up here in Boston, has passed from the scene at the age of 82.
When I was a kid, I listened to a lot of radio. In those days, AM radio played music, as well as news and talk. I used to record songs I liked with a cassette recorder, fragments of disc-jockey banter and all. And Boston's radion station with the most powerful signal, WBZ (called "Wyoming Blasting and Zoning" because of its ability to reach some 36 states and 6 Canadian provinces after dark) featured a line up of personalities that was second to none.
In the morning, Carl DeSouze held sway, with Dave Maynard in the afternoon drive-time slot. When DeSouze retired in the early 80s, the lineup's anchor became "Maynard In the Morning." Maynard's was a voice I grew up with, along with a team of meterologogist Don Kent, sports guy Gil Santos, newsman Gary LaPierre, and traffic reporter Joe Green (in the 'BZ copter).
Just down the dial on the similarly-formatted WHDH radio was Jess Cain. There was Paul Benzaquin at night, along with Larry Glick. And there was Jerry Williams, Boston's first talkmeister further down the dial.
Many are now gone: DeSouze, Kent, Cain, Benzaquin, Glick, Williams, and, now, Maynard. LaPierre and Green are retired. Gil Santos still broadcasts play-by-play for Patriots games.
How one's youth trickles away!
Dave succumbed to complications from Parkinson's Disease after a broadcast career than spanned almost 5 decades.
Rquiescat in pace.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Saturday, December 31, 2011
My Father's Twenty-Second Anniversary
My father, George Thomas Senior, died twenty-two years ago this morning. He had just returned from 9:30 Mass with my mother, and went around the corner to chip ice away from the door of an elderly neighbor. Moments later, there was a frantic phone call that he had collapsed. I dressed and rushed to the scene and arrived just in time to see the ambulance crew carry him in. Efforts to revive him failed.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Today Would Have Been My Father's 91st Birthday
He died December 31, 1989, at the age of 69.
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Friday, September 23, 2011
My Mother's Thirteenth Anniversary
Thirteen years ago today, my mother died of pneumonia after a hernia operation, at the age of 75. She had been suffering from dementia for some years prior to that. My father had died at the age of 69 about 7 years prior to her death.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Today Would Have Been My Mother's 88th Birthday
Kathryn Ann was born the same night Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President on the sudden death of Warren Harding. She died on the feast of Saint Padre Pio, in 1998. In your charity, please remember the repose of her soul in your prayers.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, in the tenderness of Thy mercy and have pity on the souls of my mother Kathryn and father George, and forgive them their trespasses, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting light. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, as one God, now, and in the world of worlds.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
A Mother's Love's A Blessing
1. An Irish boy was leaving,
Leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
Once more he wished to roam,
And as he was leaving his mother,
Who was standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his waist,
And this to him did say,
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
2. And as the years go onwards,
I'll settle down in life,
And choose a nice young colleen,
And take her for my wife,
And as the babes grow older,
And climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson,
That my mother taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, in the tenderness of Thy mercy and have pity on the souls of my mother Kathryn and father George, and forgive them their trespasses, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting light. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, as one God, now, and in the world of worlds.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
A Mother's Love's A Blessing
1. An Irish boy was leaving,
Leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
Once more he wished to roam,
And as he was leaving his mother,
Who was standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his waist,
And this to him did say,
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
2. And as the years go onwards,
I'll settle down in life,
And choose a nice young colleen,
And take her for my wife,
And as the babes grow older,
And climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson,
That my mother taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Monday, January 10, 2011
Requiescat In Pace
Just saw that Major Richard Winters, the commander of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, made famous in the Stephen Ambrose book and HBO miniseries Band Of Brothers, died a few days ago at the age of 92. Winters took over E Company on D-Day and led an assault on a strongly held fixed artillery position with a handful of men that is considered a classroom example of how to do it. He was promoted to commander of the 506th's 2nd Battalion and led it at Market Garden, at the Battle of the Bulge, and in the invasion of Germany. A great American soldier. Requiescat in pace.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Friday, December 31, 2010
My Father's Twenty-First Anniversary
My father, George Thomas Senior, died twenty-one years ago this morning. He had just returned from 9:30 Mass with my mother, and went around the corner to chip ice away from the door of an elderly neighbor. Moments later, there was a frantic phone call that he had collapsed. I dressed and rushed to the scene and arrived just in time to see the ambulance crew carry him in. Efforts to revive him failed.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Monday, October 04, 2010
Today Would Have Been My Father's 90th Birthday
He died December 31, 1989, at the age of 69.
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Mother's Twelfth Anniversary
Twelve years ago today, my mother died of pneumonia after a hernia operation, at the age of 75. She had been suffering from dementia for some years prior to that. My father had died at the age of 69 about 7 years prior to her death.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Today Would Have Been My Mother's 87th Birthday
Kathryn Ann was born the same night Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President on the sudden death of Warren Harding. She died on the feast of Saint Padre Pio, in 1998.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, in the tenderness of Thy mercy and have pity on the souls of my mother Kathryn and father George, and forgive them their trespasses, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting light. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, as one God, now, and in the world of worlds.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
A Mother's Love's A Blessing
1. An Irish boy was leaving,
Leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
Once more he wished to roam,
And as he was leaving his mother,
Who was standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his waist,
And this to him did say,
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
2. And as the years go onwards,
I'll settle down in life,
And choose a nice young colleen,
And take her for my wife,
And as the babes grow older,
And climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson,
That my mother taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, in the tenderness of Thy mercy and have pity on the souls of my mother Kathryn and father George, and forgive them their trespasses, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting light. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, as one God, now, and in the world of worlds.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
A Mother's Love's A Blessing
1. An Irish boy was leaving,
Leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
Once more he wished to roam,
And as he was leaving his mother,
Who was standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his waist,
And this to him did say,
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
2. And as the years go onwards,
I'll settle down in life,
And choose a nice young colleen,
And take her for my wife,
And as the babes grow older,
And climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson,
That my mother taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone,
Love her as in childhood,
Though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss a mother's love,
Till she's buried beneath the clay.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Requiescat In Pace
Veteran Boston TV newsman John Henning died this morning at the age of 73. I remember when he was paired with Jack Hynes on the 6pm news in my childhood. That was a solid, professional, substantive newscast. In the course of his career, he anchored the news for all three of the MSM networks in the Boston area (Channels 4, 5, and 7). In later years, he had cut back his role to that of a senior commentator on politics. He was the brother of former BC football coach Dan Henning. I have now passed the last 12 years without watching network television programming, using the TV only as a platform for the VCR, and now for DVDs. But still, the icons of one's youth pass and one is shocked at the realization of the passing of the world.
Requiescat in pace.
Requiescat in pace.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Thursday, December 31, 2009
My Father's Twentieth Anniversary
My father, George Thomas Senior, died twenty years ago this morning. He had just returned from 9:30 Mass with my mother, and went around the corner to chip ice away from the door of an elderly neighbor. Moments later, there was a frantic phone call that he had collapsed. I dressed and rushed to the scene and arrived just in time to see the ambulance crew carry him in. Efforts to revive him failed.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Today Would Have Been My Father's 89th Birthday
He died December 31, 1989, at the age of 69.
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of George my father and Kathryn my mother, and forgive them their trespasses; and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
“The Old Man”
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone.
He was more than just a father
My teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When I play them on my own.
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountian, field, and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
Just secret between him and me.
Like the colors of a pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The Old Man.
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he'd done
I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memories linger on
God, I miss him ... The Old Man.
Phil Coulter's song, performed by George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder:
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My Mother's Eleventh Anniversary
Eleven years ago today, my mother died of pneumonia after a hernia operation, at the age of 75. She had been suffering from dementia for some years prior to that. My father had died at the age of 69 about 7 years prior to her death.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
As with all who have lost loved ones, the way the news came remains a vivid memory. I walked into my office early, as I always did, put on a pot of coffee, and then checked voice mail. A call from the hospital to call them. At 6:30 am. Never good news when the hospital calls at 6:30.
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of George, my father, and Kathryn, my mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon her.
V. May she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
An Irish boy was leaving,
leaving his own native home,
Crossing the broad Atlantic,
once more he wished to roam;
And as he was leaving his mother,
while standing on the quay,
She threw her arms around his neck
and these were the words she said:
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
And as the years go onward,
I'll settle down in life,
I'll find a nice young colleen,
and make her my sweet wife;
And as the kids grow older
and climb around my knee,
I'll teach them the very same lesson that
my mother once taught to me.
A mother's love's a blessing,
no matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
you'll miss her when she's gone;
Love her as in childhood,
though feeble, old and grey,
For you'll never miss your mother
'til she's buried beneath the clay.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Requiescat In Pace
As the whole world knows by now, Senator Edward Kennedy died during the night. Two maxims come to mind immediately: "Concerning the dead, say nothing unless it is good," and "Unless you have something nice to say, say nothing at all."
I hope God granted him the mercy of a true understanding of his sins, remorse for them, final penitence, and remission of his sins.
For the rest, I will leave it to Catholic poet Alexander Pope:
"Let not this weak, unknowing hand presume Thy bolts to throw,
And deal damnation round the land on each I judge Thy foe."
God have mercy on him.
I hope God granted him the mercy of a true understanding of his sins, remorse for them, final penitence, and remission of his sins.
For the rest, I will leave it to Catholic poet Alexander Pope:
"Let not this weak, unknowing hand presume Thy bolts to throw,
And deal damnation round the land on each I judge Thy foe."
God have mercy on him.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Requiescat In Pace
I learned this morning of the death of Robert Novak, once half of the Washington insider reporting team of Evans and Novak, and once a regular on The McLaughlin Group, where he was dubbed "Bob No-Facts." He was always entertaining to watch. He was a staunch conservative, though out of line on the Iraq Campaign of the War On Moslem Terror. Much more interesting, though, is his journey from childhood Judaism to agnosticism to a conversion to the Church through Opus Dei (like Robert Bork, Senator Sam Brownback, and Newt Gingrich). He died of a brain tumor at the age of 78, and another elder statesman of the "Catholic and Conservative" world view has been silenced. Requiescat in pace.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Monday, May 04, 2009
Requiescat In Pace
It was with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the death of former US Rep. and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp. Jack was one of the guiding lights of sound economic policy in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the driving force behind what became the Reagan tax cuts of 1981. For a time, it was thought that Jack would be the natural heir to Ronald Reagan's legacy as leader of the conservative movement and the Republican Party, as well as President. But he never quite emerged as that leader. I had not heard that he was ill with cancer, but had noticed his absence in the public eye lately. He will be greatly missed, and I am sure that Rush will have much to say about his career and the debt we all owe Jack on his show today.
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Friday, February 06, 2009
Requiescat In Pace
I am late in noting this, as I am in everything these days, but it came to my attention that Michael Dubrieul, the much-esteemed Catholic blogger and author (and husband of Amy Welborn) died very suddenly and unexpectedly this week. He collapsed and died at the gym during his regular morning workout, it appears. This is very shocking to us all, especially since he leaves behind a young family. He was roughly my age, and this really brings "Memento Mori" to the front burner of the mind. I share the distress we all feel at this loss in the Catholic blogging community. I used to link to Michael's blog fairly frequently.
I ask you all to join me in prayers first for Michael's soul, and then for the well-being of Amy and their children.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
I ask you all to join me in prayers first for Michael's soul, and then for the well-being of Amy and their children.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine,
R. Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Requiescat In Pace
I am sorry to report that since my last post, Father Neuhaus has died (or at least word of his death has become public).
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
An Anniversary
Nineteen years ago today, my father died at the age of 69 of a sudden, massive heart attack while chipping away at ice on the porch of an elderly neighbor. He and my mother had just returned from the 9:30 Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption, December 31st being a Sunday that year.
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honorare praecepisti: miserere clementer animabus patris et matris meae eorumque peccata dimitte: meque eos in aeternae claritatis gaudio fac videre. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Enjoy Celtic Thunder performing, The Old Man
Labels: Requiescat In Pace
