Local Hero

The Buffalo News has a story today about Jonathan Cote and his four companions, private security contractors in Iraq who were kidnapped, tortured and murdered.

I have a friend who is an in-law of the Cote family here in WNY. This is a sad disgrace for our country. 

September 11

Public domain image from Wikipedia

RIP Ann Ball

I found out when I got my latest catalog from Ecce Homo Press that Ann Ball had passed away in June.

I have a bunch of her books. Rest in peace!

Tragic Loss and Family in Need

The Confraternity of Penitents has an article on the tragic deaths of father and son, Thomas and Marc Girard. The Girard family is in desperate need of financial help at this time. Prays, of course, too.

RIP TIm Russert

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And the Lord Said, "Gimme Jimmy!"

"Gimme Jimmy!" was the oft-used campaign slogan of Buffalo's longest-serving mayor, James Griffin. His Honor passed away on Memorial Day.

A devout pro-life Catholic, he ran on the Republican, Right-to-Life, Conservative and (at times) Democratic tickets. He welcomed the Spring of Life pro-life rally to Buffalo in 1993.

I met him once, briefly, and he was friendly, witty and gallant. A true gentleman.

His funeral today at the Basilica National Shrine of Our Lady of Victory was packed with mourners.

Rest in Peace, James Griffin.