Latest news with #Masons
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
'You can't take the body home': sacred death ritual helped family's grief
When Jennifer Mason died at age 70, she had an unusual plan. She wanted to be brought home to Anna Bay for a few days. Jennifer, who died in early May from a massive stroke, had discussed her end-of-life wishes with daughter Katrina Mason. Instead of her body being taken to the morgue and then a funeral home, she wanted to come home. "Most people were like, 'You want to do what? You can't take the body home'," Ms Mason said. "Hospital staff and mainstream funeral providers did not know anything about how to make this happen." Ms Mason found people to help. "I said to Mum, as she was dying, that I've figured out how to do it. "And she literally started that final process of death then. Her breathing started to slow." Ms Mason said bringing the body home was part of "a movement called sacred death care". This involved death doulas who "help prepare you and your family for death". "Family and friends come and go and people share stories. There are opportunities to say thank you and anything you regret. "It is common in Pacific Island and Indigenous cultures. It's also a Tibetan Buddhist practice." Two hours after Jennifer died, she was taken home. "We put her body in her own bed on a cold plate. We shrouded her and spent the next four days at home with her," Ms Mason said. "Friends and family decorated her fully biodegradable cardboard casket. We put her in the casket on the day she was going for cremation." Ms Mason said the experience was "profoundly beneficial and beautiful". Paperbark Deathcare doula Bernadette Connolly helped with the care of Jennifer's body. "Newcastle is a conservative place, but people should know there are options," Ms Connolly said. "I call it family-led death care. The Masons opened their arms to me and I prepared Jenny's body, so they could have those days with her." Kerrie Noonan, director of the Death Literacy Institute, said, "There is increasing awareness of the role of death doulas and also home-based death care". "In NSW, we have the option of bringing our dead home," Dr Noonan said. "These are not new practices. Only two generations ago, it was common for people to die at home and be cared for until the funeral and burial." Many people are reclaiming these caring rituals, which are much cheaper than a standard funeral. John Wilson, author of Supporting People Through Loss and Grief, said being with the departed was "an important ritual across Indigenous tribes in the Pacific, including Indonesia and Australasia". He said this enabled people to "share memories and begin to accept the reality of the death". "It's also a time to find meaning in their life and honour them in death, and is likely to bring comfort. "This is something we so easily lose in our Westernised, sanitised modern funeral practices." As a doula, Ms Connolly sought to bridge the gap between "families saying goodbye to their loved ones and handing them to a funeral director they've probably never met". Newcastle death doula Ruth Boydell said, "Some families want very meaningful ritualised memorials". "They want to feel like they've honoured the person in a spiritual or sacred way," Ms Boydell said. Dr Noonan said washing and dressing a departed loved one, sitting with them and viewing the body "play an important role in the grieving process". "In our fast-paced lives, there is often pressure to move quickly after someone dies. Family-led death care and funerals, however, tend to operate at a different pace. "Research shows that when people have the chance to spend meaningful time with the deceased, it can help support their grief." Jennifer's body was cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean off Birubi Beach, a place she loved. Ms Mason said her mum had a big heart and a big effect on people. She lived with "love, laughter and light". When Jennifer Mason died at age 70, she had an unusual plan. She wanted to be brought home to Anna Bay for a few days. Jennifer, who died in early May from a massive stroke, had discussed her end-of-life wishes with daughter Katrina Mason. Instead of her body being taken to the morgue and then a funeral home, she wanted to come home. "Most people were like, 'You want to do what? You can't take the body home'," Ms Mason said. "Hospital staff and mainstream funeral providers did not know anything about how to make this happen." Ms Mason found people to help. "I said to Mum, as she was dying, that I've figured out how to do it. "And she literally started that final process of death then. Her breathing started to slow." Ms Mason said bringing the body home was part of "a movement called sacred death care". This involved death doulas who "help prepare you and your family for death". "Family and friends come and go and people share stories. There are opportunities to say thank you and anything you regret. "It is common in Pacific Island and Indigenous cultures. It's also a Tibetan Buddhist practice." Two hours after Jennifer died, she was taken home. "We put her body in her own bed on a cold plate. We shrouded her and spent the next four days at home with her," Ms Mason said. "Friends and family decorated her fully biodegradable cardboard casket. We put her in the casket on the day she was going for cremation." Ms Mason said the experience was "profoundly beneficial and beautiful". Paperbark Deathcare doula Bernadette Connolly helped with the care of Jennifer's body. "Newcastle is a conservative place, but people should know there are options," Ms Connolly said. "I call it family-led death care. The Masons opened their arms to me and I prepared Jenny's body, so they could have those days with her." Kerrie Noonan, director of the Death Literacy Institute, said, "There is increasing awareness of the role of death doulas and also home-based death care". "In NSW, we have the option of bringing our dead home," Dr Noonan said. "These are not new practices. Only two generations ago, it was common for people to die at home and be cared for until the funeral and burial." Many people are reclaiming these caring rituals, which are much cheaper than a standard funeral. John Wilson, author of Supporting People Through Loss and Grief, said being with the departed was "an important ritual across Indigenous tribes in the Pacific, including Indonesia and Australasia". He said this enabled people to "share memories and begin to accept the reality of the death". "It's also a time to find meaning in their life and honour them in death, and is likely to bring comfort. "This is something we so easily lose in our Westernised, sanitised modern funeral practices." As a doula, Ms Connolly sought to bridge the gap between "families saying goodbye to their loved ones and handing them to a funeral director they've probably never met". Newcastle death doula Ruth Boydell said, "Some families want very meaningful ritualised memorials". "They want to feel like they've honoured the person in a spiritual or sacred way," Ms Boydell said. Dr Noonan said washing and dressing a departed loved one, sitting with them and viewing the body "play an important role in the grieving process". "In our fast-paced lives, there is often pressure to move quickly after someone dies. Family-led death care and funerals, however, tend to operate at a different pace. "Research shows that when people have the chance to spend meaningful time with the deceased, it can help support their grief." Jennifer's body was cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean off Birubi Beach, a place she loved. Ms Mason said her mum had a big heart and a big effect on people. She lived with "love, laughter and light". When Jennifer Mason died at age 70, she had an unusual plan. She wanted to be brought home to Anna Bay for a few days. Jennifer, who died in early May from a massive stroke, had discussed her end-of-life wishes with daughter Katrina Mason. Instead of her body being taken to the morgue and then a funeral home, she wanted to come home. "Most people were like, 'You want to do what? You can't take the body home'," Ms Mason said. "Hospital staff and mainstream funeral providers did not know anything about how to make this happen." Ms Mason found people to help. "I said to Mum, as she was dying, that I've figured out how to do it. "And she literally started that final process of death then. Her breathing started to slow." Ms Mason said bringing the body home was part of "a movement called sacred death care". This involved death doulas who "help prepare you and your family for death". "Family and friends come and go and people share stories. There are opportunities to say thank you and anything you regret. "It is common in Pacific Island and Indigenous cultures. It's also a Tibetan Buddhist practice." Two hours after Jennifer died, she was taken home. "We put her body in her own bed on a cold plate. We shrouded her and spent the next four days at home with her," Ms Mason said. "Friends and family decorated her fully biodegradable cardboard casket. We put her in the casket on the day she was going for cremation." Ms Mason said the experience was "profoundly beneficial and beautiful". Paperbark Deathcare doula Bernadette Connolly helped with the care of Jennifer's body. "Newcastle is a conservative place, but people should know there are options," Ms Connolly said. "I call it family-led death care. The Masons opened their arms to me and I prepared Jenny's body, so they could have those days with her." Kerrie Noonan, director of the Death Literacy Institute, said, "There is increasing awareness of the role of death doulas and also home-based death care". "In NSW, we have the option of bringing our dead home," Dr Noonan said. "These are not new practices. Only two generations ago, it was common for people to die at home and be cared for until the funeral and burial." Many people are reclaiming these caring rituals, which are much cheaper than a standard funeral. John Wilson, author of Supporting People Through Loss and Grief, said being with the departed was "an important ritual across Indigenous tribes in the Pacific, including Indonesia and Australasia". He said this enabled people to "share memories and begin to accept the reality of the death". "It's also a time to find meaning in their life and honour them in death, and is likely to bring comfort. "This is something we so easily lose in our Westernised, sanitised modern funeral practices." As a doula, Ms Connolly sought to bridge the gap between "families saying goodbye to their loved ones and handing them to a funeral director they've probably never met". Newcastle death doula Ruth Boydell said, "Some families want very meaningful ritualised memorials". "They want to feel like they've honoured the person in a spiritual or sacred way," Ms Boydell said. Dr Noonan said washing and dressing a departed loved one, sitting with them and viewing the body "play an important role in the grieving process". "In our fast-paced lives, there is often pressure to move quickly after someone dies. Family-led death care and funerals, however, tend to operate at a different pace. "Research shows that when people have the chance to spend meaningful time with the deceased, it can help support their grief." Jennifer's body was cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean off Birubi Beach, a place she loved. Ms Mason said her mum had a big heart and a big effect on people. She lived with "love, laughter and light". When Jennifer Mason died at age 70, she had an unusual plan. She wanted to be brought home to Anna Bay for a few days. Jennifer, who died in early May from a massive stroke, had discussed her end-of-life wishes with daughter Katrina Mason. Instead of her body being taken to the morgue and then a funeral home, she wanted to come home. "Most people were like, 'You want to do what? You can't take the body home'," Ms Mason said. "Hospital staff and mainstream funeral providers did not know anything about how to make this happen." Ms Mason found people to help. "I said to Mum, as she was dying, that I've figured out how to do it. "And she literally started that final process of death then. Her breathing started to slow." Ms Mason said bringing the body home was part of "a movement called sacred death care". This involved death doulas who "help prepare you and your family for death". "Family and friends come and go and people share stories. There are opportunities to say thank you and anything you regret. "It is common in Pacific Island and Indigenous cultures. It's also a Tibetan Buddhist practice." Two hours after Jennifer died, she was taken home. "We put her body in her own bed on a cold plate. We shrouded her and spent the next four days at home with her," Ms Mason said. "Friends and family decorated her fully biodegradable cardboard casket. We put her in the casket on the day she was going for cremation." Ms Mason said the experience was "profoundly beneficial and beautiful". Paperbark Deathcare doula Bernadette Connolly helped with the care of Jennifer's body. "Newcastle is a conservative place, but people should know there are options," Ms Connolly said. "I call it family-led death care. The Masons opened their arms to me and I prepared Jenny's body, so they could have those days with her." Kerrie Noonan, director of the Death Literacy Institute, said, "There is increasing awareness of the role of death doulas and also home-based death care". "In NSW, we have the option of bringing our dead home," Dr Noonan said. "These are not new practices. Only two generations ago, it was common for people to die at home and be cared for until the funeral and burial." Many people are reclaiming these caring rituals, which are much cheaper than a standard funeral. John Wilson, author of Supporting People Through Loss and Grief, said being with the departed was "an important ritual across Indigenous tribes in the Pacific, including Indonesia and Australasia". He said this enabled people to "share memories and begin to accept the reality of the death". "It's also a time to find meaning in their life and honour them in death, and is likely to bring comfort. "This is something we so easily lose in our Westernised, sanitised modern funeral practices." As a doula, Ms Connolly sought to bridge the gap between "families saying goodbye to their loved ones and handing them to a funeral director they've probably never met". Newcastle death doula Ruth Boydell said, "Some families want very meaningful ritualised memorials". "They want to feel like they've honoured the person in a spiritual or sacred way," Ms Boydell said. Dr Noonan said washing and dressing a departed loved one, sitting with them and viewing the body "play an important role in the grieving process". "In our fast-paced lives, there is often pressure to move quickly after someone dies. Family-led death care and funerals, however, tend to operate at a different pace. "Research shows that when people have the chance to spend meaningful time with the deceased, it can help support their grief." Jennifer's body was cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean off Birubi Beach, a place she loved. Ms Mason said her mum had a big heart and a big effect on people. She lived with "love, laughter and light".
American Press
24-05-2025
- General
- American Press
The Informer: Hurricane wreaked havoc on downtown landmark
The Pujo Street entrance of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles, left, is pictured on Jan. 21, 1978. The outside of the church sanctuary today looks quite different after Hurricane Laura hit the area in 2020. First Baptist Church of Lake Charles began its mission in 1880 — long before its congregants had a church building in which to worship. Originally meeting in the homes of its members, the church formally began offering Sunday school services in the two-story framed courthouse on downtown Ryan Street while funds were being raised for the erection of their own house of worship. 'Shortly after the organization of these few faithful and devoted Christians, they began earnestly to concern themselves about the building of a house of worship; this to them was, all things considered, no small undertaking, but firm in their faith and with an indomitable Christian spirit, and believing in the ultimate success of their prayerful efforts, they set about the undertaking,' reads the front page of the Feb. 13, 1908, Lake Charles Daily American. Steadily the membership of the once-small group increased to 400 as their pastor, A.P. Scofield, traveled about town promoting the church and seeking donations to its building fund. 'The work continued with unabated zeal and effort' until 1907 when their funding goal was met. Their next act of business was to lay a cornerstone for their new house of worship at the corner of Hodges and Pujo streets. The ceremony did not get off to a great start. 'By a misunderstanding which has arisen in the past few days the Masons have withdrawn from the task of placing the cornerstone of the new Baptist church and the ceremonies will proceed without their assistance,' reads Lake Charles Daily American. The newspaper said Masonic law requires that every cornerstone laid by the Masonic order bear the emblem of the order and the name of the grand master. 'When the stone arrived from New Orleans it was dressed in accordance with the Masonic law but a number of members of the church objected to the presence of any inscription or insignia on the cornerstone,' the newspaper reported. 'They were therefore chiseled off and following their law the Masons have withdrawn from the exercises altogether.' Ultimately, nine visiting officers 'of high rank' within the Masonic lodge did choose to participate in the ceremony on Feb. 12, 1908, 'making the entire service one of great beauty and interest to the large crowd of spectators assembled to do honor to the event' the newspaper reported. At the ceremony, a membership roll and copies of the Lake Charles Daily American, the Baptist Chronicle and the Orphanage paper were placed inside the stone as 'Nearer My God to Thee' was played by the Louisiana State Band. 'The building was begun in the latter part of 1907 and promises to be one of the handsomest edifices in the state outside of the city of New Orleans,' the newspaper reported. The church they built as lined with stained-glass windows along the interior of the sanctuary and choir loft. Sunshine from a stained glass skylight also shown down on congregants as they lined the wooden pews, hymnals in hand. In 1941, Dr. William L. Stagg Jr. became pastor of the church. Under his ministry a second building fund was initiated with plans to enlarge the facilities due to the growing membership number. The formal dedication of the new building began on Oct. 16, 1957, with a five-day program of services offered. The Gothic-style brick building they would eventually complete had a seating capacity of 700 in its sanctuary. On the outside of the building a stone replica of the Ten Commandments was erected on an overhang of the lobby's entrance. A community workout center, gym, two-story educational building and fellowship hall would later be added. When Hurricane Laura devastated the region on Aug. 27, 2020, First Baptist Church suffered extensive damage — so much so that its congregants had to relocate to another facility. The congregants now meet at 3091 Advent Court in Morganfield. David Shamieh purchased the church in November 2021 for $8 million. 'I hate to see history destroyed,' he told the American Press on Aug. 27, 2024. 'So many people have told me about their memories here, memories of weddings, baptisms and Sunday School lessons as youngsters.' Shamieh said he would like to see the church on the national historical register, and he wants the sanctuary restored to its original lines and materials, right down to the huge and ornate wood and stained glass design over the doors at the Pujo Street main entrance. Shemiah has already renovated part of the church property for an event center.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers celebrate one year of feeding Paulding County residents with food pantry
Last year, a group of fraternities and sororities created the Paulding United Food Pantry. This year, they celebrated their first year of service by giving away more food. Volunteers work together to keep the shelves full. The pantry was created by members of the Divine 9, the Masons, and the Eastern Stars. 'It's not just food insecurity, we see a lot of things. We have a lot of homelessness as well,' school social worker Byanca Beasley said. 'We're one of the poorest districts in metro Atlanta, and our kids have a need for food, clothing, supplies, and so that's where Paulding United stepped in,' school social worker Kim Cayetano said. The pantry and its satellite pantries offer food, school supplies, hygiene supplies, and even clothing. Students and their families are referred by counselors or teachers, then school social workers use the pantries and all of their other resources to help. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: 4.1 magnitude earthquake reported in Tennessee, felt all the way in metro Atlanta Former Gwinnett Co. teacher accused of inappropriately touching students at elementary school Neighbors told to shelter in place after Henry County tire shop catches fire [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Trump's hollow legacy of mayhem
Today is the 100th day since Donald Trump swore an oath of allegiance to the American constitution as he took office as the 47th president of that great nation. Never before has such a short time been utilised to wreak so much havoc on domestic and international economic and political affairs. In 1933, when Franklin D Roosevelt took office, America underwent an earthshaking 15-week period in which the relationship between its people and their government was rewritten. Back then, Roosevelt's legislative onslaught was aimed at expanding the role of the federal government in ordinary people's lives at a time when the Great Depression had left a ravaging impact on the US. His imposition of radical change was noteworthy because congress came together to pass more than a dozen major laws in his first 100 days in office. Today, Trump's blitzkrieg has centred on a barrage of executive orders, none of which were approved or sanctioned by legislators and most of which are now subject to court actions, leaving his tempestuous moves open to reversal. While Trump has characteristically cited Roosevelt as a model, when it comes to his own impact and importance in the greater picture of American history, it is doubtful he will be remembered is the same way as his predecessor. Certainly, Trump's shutting down of agencies such as the US Agency for International Development, his unceremonious sacking of thousand of federal employees, his imposition of far-reaching tariffs on America's trading partners, his elimination of diversity programmes, and his sundering of education funding, have created waves. However, his assault on the fabric of US government will almost certainly not create the climate to allow on his campaign axiom of making America great again. Roosevelt, on the other hand, put in place laws which have stood the test of time. Nothing in the more than 200 executive orders Trump has issued is likely to last beyond his second term in office. To date in his presidency, only one significant piece of legislation — apart from required budget measures — has passed through congress. The Laken Reilly Act, which allows undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes to be detained, is that single new law. By comparison with Roosevelt's achievements, Trump's claims to have laid the foundations for a new political majority ring hollow. This period of his second term will not be remembered for its impact on American society, but for the mayhem imposed on its citizens and its international allies. McGregor chaos teaches a lesson For an organisation which has such a historic fellowship with secrecy, the Masons have not been having a good time lately keeping their business to themselves. Two incidents — both involving controversial MMA fighter and presumptive presidential candidate Conor McGregor — plunged the Masonic Order in Ireland into controversy. First, there was the interview between McGregor and American right-wing media provocateur Tucker Carlson, which took place at the Freemasons Hall on Dublin's Molesworth St. Then there was the filming of a video for a band on McGregor's record label — at the same venue — in which a sex act was performed. To say that it is uncharacteristic for the Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of Ireland to become involved in such polemic events would be an understatement. Even if, as might be reasonably suspected, they were duped into believing that their property was being hired for other purposes, it suggests a certain naivety on their behalf. For an organisation that prides itself on its moral rectitude and the high ethical fabric of its membership, the Masons were caught with their guard down. The Freemasons themselves put their hands up, saying that if the participants and content of these events had been known, the bookings would not have been accepted. They donated the booking fee to charity by way of atonement. The Masons were nonetheless remorseful and mortified, as they should have been, but theirs is a lesson learned. It is a lesson too for many other organisations who might find themselves being put in an appalling position by people whose moral standards leave a lot to be desired. Costing lives It seems baffling and incomprehensible that central funds for roads improvements have been refused by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) at a time when the Government is struggling to implement plans to promote road safety here. With the numbers of deaths on Irish roads being of constant concern to the authorities, it would appear reasonable to assume that all of the factors which contribute to the safety of drivers on our highways and byways should be considered when such huge efforts are being made to reduce the carnage on them. Cork County Council recently applied to TII for funds to allow it carry out remedial work on a number of roads it had deemed unsafe. Indeed, council officials are so dismayed by the state of some of our secondary roads, they have described them as 'crumbling'. Why then are such obvious concerns being overlooked by those controlling the spend on such projects? Why are local authorities having to put speed restrictions on certain stretches of road because their underlying structures cannot cope with the demands of modern-day traffic? We are constantly being reminded of our responsibilities while using the roads, but surely there is a responsibility too with regard to the maintenance of the network to ensure it is as safe as is possible for those driving on them. Read More Irish Examiner view: Ireland at a crossroads over pharma
Extra.ie
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Freemasons to donate €2,500 to charity following Conor McGregor–Tucker Carlson interview
The Freemasons of Ireland have said that they will make a €2,500 donation to charity after Tucker Carlson interviewed Conor McGregor in their hall. The disgraced UFC fighter was interviewed by Carlson, himself booted off Fox News in mysterious and acrimonious circumstances, last Friday, where he broached potentially running for President once again. The organisation have since apologised for allowing McGregor and Carlson to use their hall as the location of the interview, saying that they wouldn't have accepted the booking had they realised what it was for, and will investigate the use of the Grand Lodge Room by the Grand Lodge Conduct Committee. The Freemasons of Dublin have said that they will make a €2,500 donation to charity, after Conor McGregor was interviewed by Tucker Carlson in their hall. Pic: Tucker Carlson via YouTube At the Grand Masters Council earlier this week, the Masons said that lodge rooms would be used only for 'lodge purposes,' and no 'non-Masonic meetings' will be held in the Freemasons Lodge 'until further notice.' The Irish Independent also report that the masons have decided to donate €2,500 to 'an appropriate, non-political charity' following the controversial interview. McGregor has said that he will run for President later this year ahead of November's election, but faces an uphill battle to even receive a nomination; as hundreds of members of the Oireachtas and other councils, the two ways that he must receive a nomination, have refused to entertain the idea of nominating him. McGregor's interview saw him discuss a potential Presidential bid, and other political issues. Pic: Tucker Carlson via YouTube Even if he were to receive a nomination, recent polls said that 89% of the Irish population wouldn't vote for him in the Presidential election; with the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers saying that his bid for the Presidency 'will be widely rejected.' 'When it comes to Tucker Carlson and Conor McGregor, I think you've seen the resounding rejection of Conor McGregor's attempt to run for the Presidency,' Minister Chambers said last week ahead of the Tucker Carlson interview. 'I think most political parties and Independents completely reject his politics, his rhetoric, his divisive approach to public debate, and I'm sure that will be reflected in his interview with Tucker Carlson.' 'That type of extreme politics isn't something that most Irish people would accept, and I think it will be widely rejected if he attempted to run with the Presidency. I'd be surprised if he received a nomination.'
