Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The tragic and senseless deaths of innocent children and adults in Newtown, Conn. has ripped hearts open across our Nation. Our thoughts and love go out to the parents of the children that were taken, and the family and friends of the staff that died trying to save the children. You all are not alone! We feel it’s safe to say, you have the love, support, prayers, and thoughts of everyone in the nation. Our hearts ache for each of you. May you all get through this and mourn peacefully, and be there for each other in this painful time.
See Our Special Christmas Section Inside
Be sure to take a moment and look inside this edition for our 2012 Christmas Section on pages 7-18. You’ll see Christmas greetings from our advertisers, tips for the holidays, as well as some ‘emergency gift ideas’ for Christmas.
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And the Angels Cried The Christmas story in the Gospel of St. Luke concludes with these words: “Rachel weeping for her children and she cannot be comforted: because they are no more.” Herod killed the babies of Bethlehem. This week in Newtown, mothers and fathers weep for their children killed by a satanic act of violence. The killing of the innocent has become a common experience in our nation. We have become a culture of death. The child born on Christmas Day taught us better. At his birth, the Angels sang, “Peace to People of Goodwill.” On the hillsides of Gallilee he preached the way of nonviolent love. All people hoped that we could live together in peace. Now, perhaps, the age of Christian living is over. A new pagan age has emerged. The poet, William Butler Yeats wrote, “What rough beast, its hour come round at last,
slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?”
In the new age evil men and women armed with deadly
weapons secretly plot to kill the innocent. In Newtown, and throughout our nation, people naturally began to pray to God. We pray that the words of Isaiah come true. “I will lay down my sword and shield.” Weapons are not a solution to problems. We pray that we as a people return to the Gospel ideal that every human life is a sacred gift from God. We pray that Newtown mothers and fathers be comforted with the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, in my father’s house there are many rooms. I have prepared a place for you.” We celebrate Christmas not because there is no sorrow in our lives. We celebrate Christmas because there is sorrow in our lives. Written by Father Pat McDonough, pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church and Elementary School in St. Albans, West Virginia.
Haven of Rest Grows in Love By Justin Waybright justin@theputnamstandard.com
RED HOUSE – Since 1960, thousands of saddened men and women have walked through a memorial garden, seeking solace and comfort from the heavy grief of losing loved ones. Inside the doors of an office, three women greet them with hugs, smiles and love. The Christian ladies offer more than just options for saying goodbye to loved ones: they offer a comfort, a hope and a love that is not found anywhere else. Above all, these women place the hurting hearts of their customers first. Because of its warm approach to customers, Haven of Rest has grown
Workers with Ingram Construction prepare the grounds at Haven of Rest for a new mausoleum. Once complete, it will house 276 casket spaces and 50 niches. Crews will carve a guardian angel into the exterior of the mausoleum. Photo by Justin Waybright. during the years. In 2012, the 28-acre resting place continues to expand. Early in December, a crew of work-
ers from Ingram Construction Company moved dirt to prepare a spot for a new resting place. Granite, steel and
concrete will make up the exterior of a new mausoleum. A custom-etched guardian angel will stand in the granite. Once complete, this custom resting place will hold 276 casket spaces and 50 niches for cremated remains. The building will also have room for expansion in the future. “We are excited about the construction of this new space, and to give families additional options to say ‘goodbye’ to loved ones,” said Manager Betty Lett. “The new mausoleum will help memorialize them and offer people a way to remember loved ones in a similar way as ground burial.” Workers Sarah Clevenger and ConSEE HAVEN ON PAGE 4
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