history_matters - Requiescat in Pace

Siobhan ^ | J+M+J 8 June A.D. 2002 | Siobhan

[Siobhan]

Dear Friends,

This is a terribly sad day and joyous day. First, we learned of OxfordMovement's son Michael having died. Now I must tell you that my father who was known as the Freeper history-matters has also died today.

At 2 o'clock my family gathered in my father's hospital room for my son Finn to announce that he and Aileen are engaged. They have only known each other a few weeks. Aileen was my father's nurse in ICU. She is young, Irish, and a Gaelic speaker. My father instantly told me she was the one for my son Finn. I introduced the two, they were instantly smitten, and today they made this announcement.

My father gave them his Gaelic blessing and then announced we would all say a Rosary in Gaelic as a thanksgiving and a prayer for Finn and Aileen. When my father announces something, we all jump to it. Indeed, if he said 'jump' to this day we would all say, 'how high, Sir'. Bless him.

We said the Rosary, and at 3 we were still there so we joined him in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. At the end, he fell asleep and we all quietly left the room and went outside into the atrium to congratulate Finn and Aileen and to make a fuss over them.

At about 3:30 the nurse went in and discovered that my father had died in his sleep. She was very upset and weeping. She had come to care for my Da just as most folk do. We ran back into the room. Da had a smile on his face. There was the overwhelming aroma of roses. Even the nurses commented on it.

It hasn't really sunk in yet with me. He had suffered so much in the last couple of years. And his face was the picture of peace. The Maronite priest was in the hospital, and he came by just intending to call on his old friend my father. He is such a saint of a man. He prayed for Da in Aramaic and Arabic. It was very beautiful and perfect given my father and mother's service to the Church in the Holy Land. Father was a great comfort to my dearest mother.

Everyone of the nurses was wonderful to my mother, and for her part she cried but more because she was happy for my father to see Jesus face to face. She is actually older than my father and not in the best of health either. She is resting just now, and my brother Kevin is handling various arrangments that were made from when Da had his surgery. There was such a likelihood that he wouldn't make it through that surgery that he had prepared everything. We just didn't know that we would need it at this time.

As you all know, I only lately came to FR to fill in for my father who was so worried about the Catholics on FR and the troubles in the Church. I have tried to do some of what he wanted, but I know I haven't been able to do nearly so well as he.

He cherished many of you and kept you in his prayer intentions. He would want me, in the most Irish way possible, to bless all of you on behalf of my family for your kindness to him. And so in the name of good St. Patrick and sweet St. Brigid, I bless you all and your loved ones too, and I thank you for your prayers and your many kindnesses in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..

[JMJ333]

I was asked to postpone the rosary until 8:15 so that a fellow freeper will be able to participate. We'll start then.

[sneakers]

This day, heaven has gained two sweet souls full of love and innocence. I know Our Lady was there to escort your Da to her most precious Son.

I, for one, have missed HM terribly while at the same time being so blessed to have you in his stead. I was hoping you'd both be on together someday.

Heaven is rejoicing today in welcoming such a wonderful, gentle soul! God Bless you and your family, and may Christ and his dear mother comfort your family with the consolation of knowing that he died in Christ. Please accept my sincere condolences.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Siobhan, I liked your father very much. He had a wonderful warrior spirit. His posts of pictures and icons frequently made their way onto my desktop. What a wonderful last gift he gave to your family and specifically, Finn and Aileen. I know he continues to fight our good fight in Heaven now amongst the angels and saints. He is still with us in spirit.

[Domestic Church]

Sending condolences and prayers, Siobhan. The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary too...as if he hand picked the day but we know her Son did. The Catholicism even in his departure is stunning, after the Rosary and the Chaplet, and after the Announcement of Joy and then the smell of Roses...all a testimony to his tremendous heart and piety. God bless your family. Like St. Theresa I think he will be helping us here in days to come.

[livius]

I am so sorry to hear this. I had read his posts in the past and been impressed by them, and I did notice that they had disappeared - I didn't realize he was your father.

This has been a hard day for several of us on this list. My prayers for you, your Da and your family.

With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant...

[MJY1288]

Our prayers are with you, I lost my Father a little over a month ago, so I know what you are going through.

God Bless and stay strong,

Mike

[firewalk]

Prayers on their way.

[cowgirlcutie]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

[JMJ333]

Songs of Farewell

May the choirs of angels come to greet them.
May they speed them to paradise.
May the lord enfold them in his mercy
May they find eternal life.

One thing I ask, oh Lord this I seek
To dwell forever in your house
That I may gaze on your lovliness
All the days of eternity.

Into Your hands we commend Their Spirits
Into Your hands we commend their souls.May the Angels lead them into paradise
May the martyrs receive them at their coming
And take them to Jerusalem the Holy City.

The First Glorious Mystery, The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus rises from the dead.

He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'" - Mark 16:6-7

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Amen.

[Our Father] Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen

[Hail Mary] Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

[Glory Be] Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

[Come Holy Spirit] Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis accende.

V. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur.

R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.

The second mystery will start when I post a painting of the ascension--the decades will be about 5 minutes apart. Thank you to anyone who is participating.

[american colleen]

How can I miss your father more than I did already? But I do. Such a sad, sad day for us left here, such a hole in our lives.

Imagine that there are more than a few on FR, that today, shed tears for brothers they have never met. For a wonderful man who was inspiring in his faith, and for an innocent little boy who is the son of a kind and gentle freeper. This makes me know how grateful I am to so many of you, how much I love you and pray for you. This is Catholicism. How blessed we are to be able to grieve for others as if they were our own.

Thank you for blessing us with a little of history_matters life, what an example he was to you and your family! The world is a better place because of his life - and how many of us can say that?

My prayers will continue for you and your family.

History_matters, I will miss you!

[JMJ333]

Second Glorious mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven

Pater Noster...

[JMJ333]

Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Pater Noster...

[AKA Elena]

I "knew" that this was coming, but since a bit of time had passed, I thought my feelings were wrong ... I have shared much of your telling about your Father (and my feelings) with many, to include the dream, with my Carmelite sister, Mary.

I am happy that you have shared your joy, along with that of your Mother's and your entire family's in relation to their very touching and strong witness of your Da's wonderful entrance into eternity.

I am filled with sadness for me ... to lose his wise Irish HUMILITY and fervor ... and for the others here who grew to rely on his gift ... and I am filled with a certain joy that he is in such splendor.

Don't leave us Siobhan, please ... you are a shining candle for me and for our Faith and have been a great source of comfort for me and so many here!

I am printing the biography that you have provided today, as well as your short essay of all of the events surrounding "Greg's" (our own history_matters) departure ... to forward to my sister, Sister Mary, and all of the Carmelite branch of my family.

He has SURELY borne him up on EAGLE'S WINGS!

[JMJ333]

Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of the Blessed Mother

Pater Noster...

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

May the soul of this and all faithful departed, through the Mercy of God rest in Peace!

We will dearly miss your father's posts, but look forward to his heavenly intercession. Please continue to fill in for him here!

Am praying the Rosary for him and your family now...God Bless...

[JMJ333]

Fifth Glorious Mystery: Coronation of Mary-Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Pater Noster....

Hail Holy Queen...

Oh God, Whose only begotten Son, for His life death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant we beseach thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same--Christ our Lord, Amen.

[Palladin]

Oh, what a sad day here on FR. My heart is aching for little Michael and his family, and now for you, Siobhan. Your father was a wonderful man, even to those of us who knew him for just a few months. His death was most beautiful, coming right after saying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy with his loved ones. And the joy of the young couple he brought together. God is good, for He always sends joy to balance our sadness.

May Kieran rest in peace. And lucky are we to have him as a saint in Heaven to pray for us and for the Church!

[Lady In Blue]

Siobhan, you can't begin to know how touched I am by your description of your dad.I was especially touched by the smile on his face and the scent of roses! I will certainly say a pray for him.I think I'll do it right now just in case I forget.

[constitutiongirl]

Siobhan, I'm so sorry. The world's loss is Heaven's gain. You know how much I cared for and respected your Da. I'm signing off now to join JMJ333 in the Rosary.