R.I.P

Sadly Mark, my husband, passed away on 16 August 2014 after a long and hard fight with his disease.  My son and I were blessed that we were able to spend the last five years at home with him.  

A conversation that continues to play on my mind is one that we had the day before he died. Mark said that he had such renewed respect for what, the recently Canonised, St. John Paul II went through in his final years. Even while suffering, as the good Saint did he still managed to show us by his example what love, honour and dedication was all about. St. John Paul II's suffering, Mark continued, was his gift to us all. St. John Paul II, just as Jesus did on the cross, offered his suffering for all of our sins. 

This is something that Mark himself, strived to do on a daily basis. He strived to follow the example set by our Lord and the great men of our faith that went before him. Never did Mark complain about his lot in life, never did he complain about the pain and the discomfort he felt. In hindsight, looking back on conversations we had with him, my son and I believe that he offered up his pain and suffering for the sins of his family, friends and those in need, and that is a gift that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

We thank God that we had as much time with Mark as we had, although we mourn the loss of a wonderful husband and father, we also celebrate all he has given us and all those who's lives he touched.

We hope and pray that Mark may now find peace in the embrace of our Lord.

RIP: Sister Mary Paule Tacke

Sr. Mary Paule Tacke C.P.S.
Photo from: Cottonwood Chronicle

A reader of my Blog just drew my attention to the sad news published in Dispatch Live about the murder of Catholic nun, Sister Mary Paule Tacke. According to the police the body of Sister Tacke was found on Monday about 60km from Mthatha floating in a stream.

Hysterical Bloggers

Pope Kisses Fr. Michele de Paolis
Photo from Life Site News

Last month Life Site News wrote about the meeting between Pope Francis and Fr. Michele de Paolis, the cofounder of the homosexual activist organization, Agedo Foggia. They gave it the title “Pope Kisses The Hand Of, Concelebrates Mass With Pro-Homosexual Activist Priest”.

Which Is The Official Divine Office?

Divine Office

There are many occasions when I get really concerned about whether I may be ‘dropping the ball’ and not being a truly faithful Catholic. Today I am cogitating the matter of the Divine Office because of a post on Fr. Z’s Blog about which breviary the Holy Father is using.

Do It For Love

“Our properly informed conscience should ideally help us not simply to avoid sin and do the minimum, but to act in the way most pleasing to God, especially in valuing the privilege of participating in the most holy Eucharist in which Christ's redeeming sacrifice on the cross is offered for us.”[1]

Chief Justice Obsessed With Sex?

The Chief Justice of South Africa, Mogoeng Mogoeng, is obsessed with sex. This I see is the sentiment of many people on Twitter following his speech entitled “Law and Religion”. Based on the facts available to me, I think they have it wrong.

Law And Religion Causes Outrage

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng
Photo from Mail & Guardian - Madelene Cronje

On Wednesday this week the Chief Justice of South Africa, Mogoeng Mogoeng, gave a speech entitled “Law and Religion in Africa”, which resulted in numerous expressions of outrage. Not surprising in today's world where the mere mention of God is considered by many to be Taboo.

We Are Church: Leaders Excommunicated

Martha & Gert Holzer

My immediate thoughts yesterday, when I heard that Gert and Martha Holzer had been excommunicated, was why did it take so long and why only them. The Holzer’s are leading figures in the international movement We Are Church and they were informed by Bishop Manfred Scheuer at their home of their excommunication.

Bishop Wants Taboo Free Discussions

Bishop Galantino
Photo from: California Catholic Daily

The Tablet reported earlier this week that Bishop Galantino, the Secretary General of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, had said: “I don’t identify with the expressionless person who stands outside the abortion clinic reciting their rosary, but with young people, who are still against this practice, but are instead fighting for quality of life, their health, their right to work.”

Angola Prison Hospice

Louisiana State Penitentiary
Photo: Wikipedia

I came across this wonderful documentary about the Hospice at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola, thanks to the “Careful” Blog. It highlights how inmates volunteer to participate in the provision of end of life care for fellow inmates.