John K. Bestor 12/15/1921 - 10/5/2008

The grandfather of a very close friend of mine passed away this weekend:

John K. Bestor, 86, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Redemptorist Catholic Church, 3333 Broadway, KCMO. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A private burial will follow Mass. John Bestor was born on Dec. 15, 1921, in Plattsmouth, Neb., to Frank and Frances (Hiber) Bestor. John attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Law School in Lincoln. He served in the Army and was discharged in 1953 as a Captain of Artillery. John worked as a lawyer at Stinson, Mag and Fizzell for over 50 years, representing corporations in labor matters. He was a member of the Missouri Bar and the Arbitrators Association. John enjoyed practicing law and investing in the stock market. He was a big supporter of Scholarship Funds and one of the oldest season ticket holders of both the Royals and Chiefs. John is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert H. of Ashland, Ore.; and his first wife, Fritzi Bestor. He is survived by his wife, Lorena of KCMO; son, John Bestor of Overland Park, Kan.; daughter, Susan Copeland of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a sister, Lois Neuzil of Wood River, Neb. Left behind to cherish his memory are four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and many friends.

† Dona eis requiem.

Next Requiem Mass for GRANT THEM REST

I just got word from Fr. Fryar that the next requiem mass will be on Thursday the 25th of September. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Pax.

Eileen Margaret Worrall 9/6/1922 - 9/17/2008

This morning I received a request from Matt Doyle on behalf of his wife's grandmother Eileen who died this morning. Below is the entry taken from his blog, Lacrimarum Valle:


"Please pray for the repose of the soul of Wendy's Grandmother, who died peacefully in Lancashire Hospital in the early hours of this morning. She was 86 years old, and left 2 daughters, 4 granddaughters, and 3 great-granddaughters (with 2 more great-grandchildren on the way).

She was a noble woman whom I will remember most affectionately as calling me "Dr Doyle" from the first time we met; me, a humble medical student! She spent all her working life as a nurse and Matron, training at the Birmingham General Hospital in the midst of the Second World War."

Subveníte Sancti Dei, occúrrite Angeli Dómine, Suscipiéntes ánimam ejus, Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altísimi.
Suscípiat te Christus, qui vocávit te, et in sinum Abrahæ Angeli dedúcant te. Suscipiéntes ánimam ejus, Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altíssimi.

Come to her assistance, all ye Saints of God: meet her, all ye Angels of God: receiving her soul, offering it in the sight of the Most high.
May Christ receive thee, who hath called thee, and may the Angels conduct thee to Abraham’s bosom. Receiving her soul and offering it in the sight of the Most High.

Dona eis requiem. †

Baptismal font restored and dedicated to...

This morning I received the following email:

Thank you for this wonderful ministry! I know that it brings hope and consolation to so many, and is a great help to the suffering souls. I just wanted to share these pictures with you, and you readers...I recently had this baptismal font restored, and dedicated to inspire prayers for the soul of one of your members, Doug Keller, who I enrolled a month or so ago. Thanks and God bless you!
Michael Belusko

Requiem Mass for August

I apologize for not posting when Masses were said in the past, but I will start doing so from now on. Today at 6:30am Fr. Kenneth Fryar, FSSP celebrated a Requiem Mass for all those listed on Grant Them Rest.


(Yes I know, this photo is not very good, but my camera phone doesn't have zoom.)

† Dona eis requiem.

Considering donations - Need feedback

I have tossed the idea around in my head for a while now to leave the option open for those who would like to give donations for this site. The donations could go towards the stipend for the Masses said for all those listed on GRANT THEM REST, (however I already do this, so the only reason for donations to this end would be for those who would like to contribute their own personal sarifice as well), or they could be for any of you who would like to help my parish (actually it is only a mission at this point) get its own church building. I am a member of Mater Misericordiae Mission in Phoenix, AZ, and the pastor of MMM is Fr. Fryar, F.S.S.P., (I have mentioned before that he is the priest that I have offering the Masses for those on this site.) We are currently 'renting' space at St. Thomas the Apostle in Phoenix, and we have a building committee that has been looking into options, but our main obstacle is funding. With about 250 members, and many of us earning below average income, we are far from reaching anywhere near the amount of funds we need to see our goals realized.

Again I am just posting this to get some feedback from those who read this site, I never had any intentions to receive any donations in any way when I created this site, it just was something I had in my mind and I wanted to give the opportunity to those who may feel interested/called to do so.

Please feel free to either leave comments here, or to email me directly with your thoughts.

-------------------------

PS~ You can visit the webpage to Mater Misericordiae Mission here: http://phoenixlatinmass.com/



And here are some articles of MMM in the news for your edification:

FSSP offers traditional Mass at historic mission
The Remnant, 2007.12.25
Article not available online as of 2008.1.06.

Spreading the Good News in an old way: Latin Mass draws faithful to beauty, mystery
Catholic Sun, J.D. Long Garcia, 2007.12.20
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Catholics celebrated the Latin-language Tridentine Mass at the historic San Xavier del Bac Mission. Members of Mater Misericordiae Mission, which offers the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, traveled to the Franciscan mission Dec. 8 to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. (Photos 1-10: San Xavier Del Bac-Latin Mass)

Pope liberalizes Latin Mass: Guidelines make Tridentine Mass more accessible
Catholic Sun, Andrew Junker, 2007.07.19
The silence, ritual and prayer can lend a more transcendent nature to the Mass and attracts Catholics of all ages, said Fr. Kenneth Fryer, FSSP, pastoral administrator for Mater Misericordiae Mission, which celebrates the extraordinary form of the Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. The extraordinary form “expresses itself perhaps in a more sublime way,” he said, explaining why younger people who never grew up with the 1962 Missal are attracted to it.

First Tridentine Mass in Phoenix, AZ a big hit!
Net-Abbey.org, 2004.06
June 6, 2004, the Feast of the Holy Trinity was a special day in another way for the diocese of Phoenix Arizona. After the Latin Mass has not been allowed for 40 years, the Feast of the Holy Trinity was celebrated by a solemn High Mass according to the 1962 Missal. The Mass was made possible by a group of volunteers and the new Bishop of the diocese of Phoenix, Thomas Olmsted.

Sharon L. Woodard - d. 7/1/2008

Today I received a letter in the mail from my auto insurance company (State Farm) notifying me of my agent's death. Here is the obituary I found for her online:

Age 61, of Tempe, AZ, passed away suddenly on July 1, 2008. She was born in Waukegan, IL. She graduated from Waukegan High School and attended Southern Illinois University prior to moving to Arizona. She was a long time State Farm Insurance agent in Mesa and Tempe, AZ. She was very active in the Golden Retriever Rescue Group. Sharon is survived by her mother, Florence; brother, William; two nieces, Laura and Lisa; and great-nephew, Kainan.

She was preceded in death by her father, Vernon.

Arrangements were entrusted to Regency Mortuary, Sun City, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sharon's name to Rescue a Golden of Arizona, P.O. Box 31894, Phoenix, AZ 85046-1894.

Dona eis requiem. †

Stephen J. Richardson - d. 7/21/1992

An email that I received today:

I was recently referred to your blog during a discussion with an 'online' friend. During the course of a 'conversation' in which I was relating to him about the passing of the dearly beloved father of my daughter, my friend recommended that I contact you and he proceeeded to outline the service you so geneously offer for the comfort of the grieving and the souls of our dear departed loved ones.

I would therefore ask that you please remember in your prayers, the soul of Stephen John Richardson.

I have recently made a video tribute to Steve which can be viewed here. Please find attached the last photograph that was taken of Steve and our daughter, in 1992.... a week before he died on the 21st July, aged just 25 years.

My God bless your endeavour.

Debbie Scalise

---------------------
Dona eis requiem. †
---------------------

James Grandjean 4/17/1940 - 6/30/2008

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

James "Jim" Dennis Grandjean entered this life on April 17, 1940, in Slaton, Texas, to parents Jules and Tillie Grandjean. He was called to be with the Lord on June 30, 2008, while cradled in the arms of his wife and sons.

Jim came from humble beginnings, but his family instilled in him the value of education and the opportunity for change it might bring. Jim was graduated by Trona High School in 1957 (his proudest achievement).

Jim was on active duty in the Navy reserves from 1963 to 1965, where he traveled to far-eastern locations such as Japan, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam. Upon his return to the United States, Jim studied at San Francisco State University and was graduated with honors 1968. He was later awarded a Juris Doctor degree from Hastings College of the Law in 1971.


Shortly after graduation, he served as chief counsel and executive director of Alaska Legal Services where he supervised 40 attorneys in 12 different offices. He also served as counsel to the Alaska State Legislature while working concurrently with a private civil litigation firm. He met his wife (and "best friend") Susan in Anchorage, where she worked as a legal secretary and clerk. Their marriage in 1977 ultimately yielded three sons, Jules, Alain and James.

Because Jim could never forget his early struggles against poverty and to receive an education, he was moved to return to the southwest in 1983. He began practicing concurrently in both Arizona and New Mexico, running a private office, which often refused to bill clients for services provided. He spent the last 20 years of his life tirelessly helping the indigent receive legal representation in both civil and criminal matters. He considered himself a "humble country lawyer" who believed in helping those who would not be helped otherwise.

Jim is survived by his wife, Susan, and his three sons, Jules, Alain and James, whom he loved immensely and often referred to as his "guardian angels." He is also survived by his brother Darrell (Angie) Grandjean, sisters Sandie (Ron) Lane and Claudia (Rios); and a wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury in Prescott. A Rosary will precede it at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carlton, with a greeting time at 5 p.m. Memorials in Jim's name can be made to St. Vincent De Paul and the Judians of Sacred Heart Parish, care of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view a tribute to Jim, sign his guestbook and share a memory.



Information provided by survivors.

---------
Dona eis requiem. †

Stephen E. Woolley 11/28/1956 - 4/14/2008

When I got home from daily Mass this morning I had two emails with regards to GRANT THEM REST; the first one was concerning the recognition of one of the earlier submissions to this blog, and the second is as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam

Thank you for providing such a wonderful ministry or prayer. May God bless and reward you for your love and care.

Would it be possible to add my late friend, STEPHEN EDWARD WOOLLEY to the list?

His dates are: 28 November 1956 to 14 April 2008.

The following is the words of remembrance read at his funeral:

Panegyric – Stephen Edward Woolley

Si monumentum requiris, circumspice. If you seek his memorial, look around you.

While these words famously commemorate Sir Christopher Wren and his greatest work, S Paul’s Cathedral; they do, nonetheless, say something about Stephen and his connection with this building.

In 1996, Stephen was invited by the then administrator, Fr Tony Hughes, to help raise £500,000 for the restoration of this cathedral. As in all things, Stephen undertook the task with great proficiency and enthusiasm. Coordinating the diocese-wide raffle, he convinced Seat to donate a brand new car, as well as a host of other valuable prizes from other donors. Many here today, will remember the great flower and vestment exhibition, which ended with the diocesan family fun day, during which Stephen was awarded the Diocesan Medal by Bishop Crispian. He convinced museums and private owners to lend valuable vestments and first class relics; several celebrities appearing at Chichester responded to his appeal and gave their support to the cathedral; the TV cameras rolled in and opened up the cathedral to the nation. He also brought an ecumenical angle to the celebrations by inviting local churches and neighbouring cathedrals to assist in the decoration of this great church and indeed, many still talk about Winchester Cathedral’s towering flower arrangements, standing either side of the old tabernacle in the apse.

But it wasn’t just to the cathedral that this loyal son of the Church gave his time and effort. He assisted with the production of the diocesan newspaper, ‘Portsmouth People’, and was responsible for its transformation from a black and white to a full colour publication in 1999. For a few years, he also helped in this cathedral’s day centre for the elderly and will be remembered as the one who made the most magnificent home-made lemon meringues and other cakes— a gift which he always claimed from his mother and grandmother.
Stephen was a man, driven by an ethic of hard work, kindness and loyalty. If a cause deserved his attention, then he made time and worked tirelessly for its success. Many here today will have had personal experience of his charitable works, which, even after his untimely death, will continue with his long-term sponsorship of children in Malawi through the charity, World Vision. But Stephen was more than just a kind man. His dedication to this work was apostolic in its foundation: faith, hope and love motivated his daily life and ensured that whatever he did for someone, it was in a spirit of Christian love and not tainted by self-advancement. Stephen’s faith was Easter-focused, as may be seen from the order of service for this Mass, which is based closely on Stephen’s specific instructions and which show clearly that death is swallowed up by the victory of the Resurrection.
Stephen had a great love of music and liturgy. Having started his musical ‘career’ as a chorister at Chester Cathedral under the directorship of Roger Fisher; he continued to sing as a lay clerk at Southwark Cathedral, while at Kings College, where he met one of his musical heroes, Harry Bramah.

In his work-a-day life, Stephen was also highly conscientious and generous. After testing his vocation for the Anglican ministry, he decided to enter the world of retail work, where he soon rose through the ranks, becoming a manager of a national chain of newsagents. Feeling the call again, he returned to university to continue his Theology degree, but once again, decided that the time was not right for him to enter the ministry and so returned to the world of work, becoming an assistant general manager in a company dealing with the new and exciting world of mobile communications. It was amusing to watch public reaction as he carried his heavy work “Transportable” mobile ‘phone around with him. More reminiscent of a military field ‘phone, it filled the mid-1980s observer with astonishment and envy. With modern mobile ‘phones the size of a credit card, it just shows how quickly technology moves on. Headhunted by Ferranti in 1988, he became operations manager of the newly formed Ferranti Creditfone, which was to become Rabbit and then Orange. In 1989, Stephen received instruction from his long-term friend, Fr Denis McSweeny and was subsequently received into the Catholic Church at Our Lady of Lourdes in Milton Keynes.

Having decided to follow the self-employment path, Stephen founded a pilgrimage tour company, which, while small in size, became respected for the bespoke nature of its itineraries. During the Holy Year of S James in 1993, only Stephen’s pilgrims made it into the cathedral for the closing Mass, while all the big British companies’ pilgrims had to make do with large TV screens outside. Similarly, when Prinknash Abbey wanted to arrange a Benedictine Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, it was to Stephen they turned and he arranged a pilgrimage for over ninety pilgrims.

Following his move to the south coast, Stephen worked a while for Stagecoach and then, with other investors, purchased the Sandringham Hotel on Southsea seafront. His last move was to be in March 2006, when, together with a friend, he bought the Fernbank Hotel in Shanklin. With an open door policy to his many friends, he welcomed them to what was his favourite enterprise. Many here will remember his fiftieth birthday party in 2006 and also last year’s Christmas party for friends. It is with regret, that he had so little time to enjoy the Fernbank; but in the short time that it was his, he turned a once failing business around and gained great respect from guests and colleagues alike.

The cathedral referred to is S John's Cathedral in Portsmouth, UK. Attached is a picture of Stephen with the then Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Elaine Baker.

Thank you again for this.

God bless

Philip Andrews

† Dona eis requiem.

Doug Keller 4/7/42 - 12/19/04

Received this email last night.

Doug Keller was born on April 7, 1942 and departed December 19, 2004. He was a major business man in the North East Ohio community, and helped many people in need. He was a kind soul and loved by all who knew him. His entire life was marked with style and grace. He was an artist designing many beautiful pieces. A major statue shipped from Italy and a wonderful garden has been erected in Akron, Ohio in Doug's honor. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Doug Keller. Please pray a Rosary for Doug and please offer an Indulgence for him. Thank you and God bless you!
~M.B.

Requiescat in pace. †

James Francis Russo 7/28/1965 - 11/15/2007

I received an email last night with the following message:

...he suffered greatly for the last two years of his life. He also suffered because he left an eight year old daughter that he loved more than life. He did not want to leave her without his guidance and protection. Please pray that he finds peace and is able to intercede through Our Lord and our Blessed Mother for her on her long journey of life without him. Please pray that his extreme suffering while living mitigates some of his debt for sins and that his time in purgatory is not long. Please pray that I find the peace to accept this loss and that I can feel the assurance that he is resting happily in Heaven with Jesus, Mary and all the saints forever. Thank you.

Requiescat in pace. †

Gerald and Becky Pearson

Gerald and Becky Pearson are the parents of a personal friend of mine. Gerald was born July 16, 1945 and died February 11, 2004. Becky was born March 7, 1956 and died January 25, 2008.

Please pray for the repose of their souls, as well as the comforting of their daughter!



De Profundis (Ps. 129)

1 canticum graduum de profundis clamavi ad te Domine
2 Domine exaudi vocem meam fiant aures tuae intendentes in vocem deprecationis meae
3 si iniquitates observabis Domine Domine quis sustinebit
4 quia apud te propitiatio est propter legem tuam sustinui te Domine sustinuit anima mea in verbum eius
5 speravit anima mea in Domino
6 a custodia matutina usque ad noctem speret Israhel in Domino
7 quia apud Dominum misericordia et copiosa apud eum redemptio
8 et ipse redimet Israhel ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius

1 Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:
2 Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
3 If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.
4 For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:
5 My soul hath hoped in the Lord.
6 From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
7 Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.