Death of the father of Fr. Serge St-Arneault
I just got the news from my mother that my father called Bastien passed away this morning in Canada. He was hospitalised last April but recovered enough to be discharged. I was with him at that time but came back to Zambia in May. Since then, he was living in a special apartment where proper care was provided according to his old age and needs. It went on relatively well for some time but was hospitalised once more about two weeks ago. His pain increased to the point to get injections of morphine. The last days were really painful. He was very agitated. On his bed side were my brother Sylvain, his son Mathieu, my sister Lucie and her husband Daniel, my mother Laurette and my good friend Gervais and his wife Jacky. Other grand-children were also present.
The funerals will be held on Saturday 16 at 2:00 pm at St. Lawrence church in Trois-Rivières. Many thanks for your prayers and support. My father went to meet my sister Annie who died in 1989. “He is no longer suffering. Let us hope that they get a nice encounter in heaven”, says my mother.
Décès de Bastien St-Arneault (29/09/1924 – 05/07/2016)
5 juillet 2016, 15h15
Parents et amis,
Je suis tout juste de retour de Ndola situé à la frontière de la République Démocratique du Congo. Nous sommes arrivés à Lusaka vers 13h30 après un voyage d’environ cinq heures. Ce n’est que maintenant que je regarde mes courriels et maman m’annonce que papa est décédé de matin à 4h00, heure locale, ce qui correspond à 10h00 en Zambie. Dans un précédent message, mon frère Sylvain me disait qu’il était avec papa tard dans la nuit, à 3h15 du matin. Mathieu, son aîné, venait d’aller reconduire maman à la maison. Ma sœur Lucie et son conjoint Daniel devaient le remplacer vers 8h00. « Les dernières heures de papa ont été très pénibles. Papa a beaucoup souffert. Il s’est calmé après l’injection de morphine. C’est triste de le voir dans cet état. On dit souvent qu’on l’aime. Parfois, il nous reconnaît et ses yeux nous parlent » de dire Sylvain. Papa n’est donc pas resté aux soins palliatifs longtemps. Lucie a informé maman et elle est retournée immédiatement à l’hôpital avec Daniel. « Il a fini de souffrir. Prions ensemble afin qu’il ait une belle rencontre avec Annie » écrit maman.
Je tiens à vous remercier de tout cœur pour vos pensées et vos prières. En famille, entre nous, on se dit souvent qu’on s’aime. Au nom de ma famille, je vous dis aussi que nous vous aimons tous, car, nous le savons, vous nous aimez en retour. C’est cette chaîne d’amour qui guide nos pas vers l’espérance et le grand Amour que Dieu a pour nous, ses enfants. Un merci particulier pour mon grand ami, un vrai frère, Gervais Dumais et Jacky sa conjointe qui ont été eux aussi au chevet de papa.
16H15
Je viens de parler avec maman, Lucie et Daniel sur Skype. Nous partageons les mêmes pleurs, mais demeurons sereins. Ils sont tous très fatigués après une telle nuit. Les funérailles de papa auront lieu le samedi 16 juillet à 14h00 à l’église Saint-Laurent à Trois-Rivières. Papa avait demandé d’être incinéré. Je ne serai pas présent, du moins physiquement. L’urne funéraire sera gardée jusqu’à mon prochain congé l’année prochaine. Nous vous inviterons pour une autre célébration. D’ailleurs, c’est une coutume dans beaucoup de pays africains de célébrer la vie d’un être cher une année après son décès. On appelle ça, le « lever du deuil ». Encore une fois, merci pour votre amour et vos prières. Avec ma bénédiction. Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr
Deogratias Ngowi, M.Afr
We are together at this time, when your father has return to his creator. I will put you and you family in my prayers. My Condolence Serge.
Nigeria Sector Superior, M.Afr
My condolences. Be assured of my prayers for your mum and all the family members. I thank God for the life of your dad for his faith commitment. May he rest in peace. Amen
John Itaru, M.Afr
My condolences for the passing away of your dear father. I remember all the efforts you invested on him. We can only entrust everything in God’s hand. United in prayers
Ignatius Anipu, M.Afr
I have just read this message you sent about your Dad passing on. I would like to express to you and the whole family my sincere condolences. We pray for him to rest in peace and that the Lord will be your source of consolation and peace. United in prayer at this difficult moment. Fraternally, Ignatius Anipu
John MacWilliam, M.Afr
Londres, le 5 juillet 2016. Cher Serge, en apprennant les nouvelles que ton père est parti pour rejoindre ta soeur Annie auprès du Seigneur, je t’écris pour t’assurer de mes prières pour lui et pour ta famille. La vie est un don de Dieu, mais la nouvelle vie de la Résurrection est un meilleur don qui nous attend tous.
Nous ne nous sommes pas vus, toi et moi, que depuis une trentaine d’années (Totteridge en 1986), mais je pense à toi chaque fois que je reçoive des nouvelles de la SAP – c’est un bon travail. Malheureusement au Maghreb nous n’avons pas assez de confrères pour nous permet d’avoir un secrétaire provincial …. pas encore.
God bless you Serge and may He give you the comfort that comes from your faith in his love. John MacWilliam
André Schaminée, M.Afr
I have just read your sad message of the death of your father. With these few words I wish to offer you and your family my sympathies. May the good Lord have received him into eternal life where there is no suffering and pain. May you, who remain behind, be consoled by your firm faith in the resurrection. I will offer my prayers during the celebration of the Eucharist for you all, asking the Lord to grant you courage and strength in this period of mourning.
United with you in sorrow, André Schaminée
Julian Kasiya, M.Afr
My sincere sympathy. Yes your father is no longer in pain. But still the sense of loss will be felt. I pray for you and all members of your family and friends that the Good Lord who has relieved your father from pain, may console you all, adequately. May your Dad rest eternally. Amen. Julian Kasiya.
Amona John, M.Afr
My condolence to you my brother Serge St-Arneault. May his soul and those of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace in the father’s house Jesus promised. Fr John Amona
Francis Kangwa, M.Afr
My heartfelt sympathy at the loss of dad. My prayers are with you and the entire family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Michel Meunier, M.Afr.
Cher Serge, J’ai parlé à ta mère samedi soir. Elle semblait très sereine et courageuse. Je t’offre mes condoléances et t’assure de mes prières pour le repos bien mérité de ton cher papa. Demain j’offrirai la messe à ses et vos intentions. Bon courage et union de prière. Michel
Albert Chilufya, M.Afr.
Mes sincères condoléances pour le décès de notre Papa Bastien. Que Dieu l’accueille dans sa demeure éternelle. Union de prière. Albert Chilufya
Virgilius Kawama, M.Afr.
My condolences Serge. United with you in this painful situation. May God strengthen you to bear this unrecoverable loss and be the source of consolation to your family. May the soul of your beloved departed daddy find eternal peace in God home.
fons.vdboer@gmail.com
Dear Serge, My sympathy to you and to your mother; may your father and her husband rest in peace. I’ll pray for the rest of his soul and for strength and consolation for all who will miss him. Brotherly regards, Fons
AJF Vanden Boer, MAfr. P.O.Box 366 – BETHLEHEM 9700 078 082 7741
Bob Tebri, M.Afr.
Dear Serge. My sincere sympathies for the departure of your dad to the heavenly Father. Be assured of our prayers and support for you and your family. Fraternally, Bob
Sisters Our Lady of Africa
I just read about the death of your dear father. There is the pain of letting go, but surely also much to give thanks for for what he has been to you, your family and others. The Lord has stretched out his loving arms to welcome him to His home. May the same Lord be close to you and your family to comfort you. Be assured of my prayers. Sr. Flora
Guido Stuer w.f.
Dear Serge,
I feel united with you and pray the good Lord to console you and your mother. The prayer “Our Father” we recite so often unites you again with your father who went back to our Father in heaven. Tomorrow I shall remember your dear father during Eucharist her with the confreres. Fraternally, Guido Stuer w.f.
Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr
Thanks so much for your kind words. Serge
Richard Mulenga
My heartfelt condolences to you Fr. Serge and the entire family.
Cor de visser
My condolences for the loss of your father and for your faith and love to see him enter eternity without having to suffer. I wish you strength and courage while you will no doubt continue to console the members of your family, especially your dear mother. May he rest in peace. God bless. Cor de visser
Christopher Chileshe, M.Afr
Receive my sincere condolences at the passing on of your father in Canada. Even when expected death remains painful and sad. I am praying for you and your family that the good Lord will grant you strength to pull through this time loss. May your father rest in perfect peace.
Fraternally, Chris
Jean-Pierre Sauge, M.Afr
Reçois l’expression de mes sincères condoléances à la nouvelle de la mort de ton cher papa. C’est un moment bien pénible pour toi et ta famille. Je te souhaite bon courage dans la foi et l’espérance. Bien fraternellement, J.-P. Sauge, M.Afr.
Julio Feliu, M.Afr
We are together in your pain and prayers.
Pello, M.Afr
Mon affection et ma prière t’accompagnent, ainsi que toute ta famille. Oui, prions pour ce belles rencontres que notre Seigneur prépare sur l’autre rive. Cordialement. Pello
Levi Goodwell
My condolence to you Fr. for the loss of your beloved Dad. May his Soul rest in peace.
Luc Putzeys, M.Afr
Je te remercie pour cette douloureuse nouvellle du décès de ton Papa. C’est ta Maman qui t’a téléphoné. Elle semble bien courageuse. Mes condoléances fraternelles et missionnaires. Je te souhaite de rester fort dans le Seigneur. Il est la Résurrection et la Vie.
Ce soir nous avons récité les vepres à l’intention de ton Papa, de toi, ta Maman et ta famille.
Tu ne seras pas à coté de ta Maman et ta fratrie lors de la célébration de la résurrection de ton Papa. Tu la vivras comme une offrande missionnaire.
Moi non plus je n’étais pas là lors des funérailles de mes parents : j’étais à Bukavu qund mon Papa est décédé ; à Gitega quand Maman l’a suivi. Je l’ai vécu de loin. Je pense donc spécialement à toi le samedi 16 juillet.
Je me rappelle très bien le très douloureux moment quand tu as appris le décès de ta soeur Annie. J’étais au Congo à ce moment-là … et à cette époque nous nous sommes rencontrés quelques fois … même si tu étais à Ituri et moi au SEZ.
Bien fraternellement et cordialement. Union de prière. Luc Putzeys
Georges Lauzon, M.Afr.
Je suis désolé d’apprendre le décès de ton cher papa tôt ce matin dans des circonstances assez pénibles, mais entouré de tous les tiens. C’est malheureux que tu n’as pas pu être à ses côtés dans ses derniers moments, comme tu aurais aimé, mais grâce aux moyens de communication modernes, ta famille te sentait en quelque sorte tout près…Oui, ta sœur Annie l’a sûrement accueilli les bras ouverts dans la Maison du Père où il n’y a plus ni pleurs, ni souffrances…Qu’il repose en paix! Ton confrère, Georges.
Patrick Bataille, M.Afr.
Toutes mes condoléances pour le décès de ton papa. En union de prières. Patrick Bataille
Itungabose Benjamin, M.Afr.
Sorry Serge. My condolences! I assure you my support in prayers in this very trying time for you.
Jean-Luc Gouiller, M.Afr.
Sorry for the death of your father. It is good that you had been near him in May, together with your family. Now he is in his final destination, the one we all expect when our life on earth finishes.
We are united with you in prayer. Jean-Luc
Alphonse-Marie Byishimo, M.Afr.
Toutes nos condoléance Serge. Union de prières.
Willem Kerkhof , M.Afr.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Even though we know and believe that your father has entered eternal Glory and is sharing the Peace and Joy with our Loving Father in Heaven, for those remaining behind it is always hard to say goodbye. We know and believe that your father is still present to you all, though in a different way. His care and love will remain for ever. So we too are present to you in your sorrow and pray for all of you. May he rest in Peace. Willem
Christeen Muloto
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the death of your beloved Father. The Lord gave you a Father and the Lord has taken him away. May his name be praised. We will pray that God gives you peace and strength to go through this difficult time. May his Soul rent in eternal peace.
sylvain Yameogo, M.Afr
Toutes mes condoléances à toi et à toute la famille. Puisse le papa reposer en paix. Je reste uni à vous de cœur et de prières. Bien fraternellement, P. Sylvain Yaméogo
Prudentia Mumbi
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Fr. over the passing on of our dear parent. May the good Lord grant him all that he promises his own. “I have gone to prepare a place for you”. Eternal rest grant unto him Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen. May the soul of our departed father rest in eternal peace through the mercy of God. May God also grant you the peace and strength you need during this period. United in prayer.
Shalom! Shalom!
Hugh Seenan, M.Afr
Sorry to hear about the death of your father. It was a nice way to die with so many family with him. We will keep you all in our prayers.
+Jan De Groef, M.Afr.
Dear Serge, Accept my sincere condolences. We shall pray for your deceased father and for you and the family. +Jan De Groef, M.Afr.
Jesús Zubiría, M.Afr.
In the name of the confrères of the Spanish Sector, I present our sincere condolences to you and to your family. We are and pray with you in this moment of pain and hope. I also take the opportunity to thank you for your care and attention informing us about persons and events in the Southern Africa Province.
United in prayer and solidarity. Jesús Zubiría
Mike Mawelera, M.Afr.
I just read the sad news about the demise of your Father. Please, receive my sincere and heartfelt condolences. May His Soul rest in God’s Eternal Peace. My prayers go for you and your whole family. Be Strong in the Lord my Brother!
Sawadogo Florent, M.Afr.
Sorry Serge for your father. My sincere condolence. Be sure that in Sussundenga we are keeping you and your family in our daily prayers and masses. May God grant him peaceful encounter.
Fr Florent Sawadogo
Juan José Osés, M.Afr.
Merci pour nous faire partager à tous tes lecteurs et amis ta foi et espérance à l’occasion de la mort de ton papa. Nous nous unissons à toi, à ta mère et à toute ta famille dans la prière et dans l’amour pour votre père. Que le Dieu bon et miséricordieux dans lequel nous croyons le garde dans sa paix pour toute l’éternité.
Brendan OShea, M.Afr.
Very sorry to get the news of the death of your father. Your mother’s words are indeed a beautiful prayer. I will also pray for your father and all the family at this time. May he rest in eternal peace. Brendan
Abdon Gamulani, M.Afr.
Please accept my condolences to you, your mother and the rest of the family at the departure of your dad from this world to the Lord to join your sister Annie, among others, in Heaven. I was one of those from the provincial house in l’Acadie who went to your Parish in Trois-Riviéres for the Eucharistic Celebration service in memory of your sister Annie in December 1989. The service was so moving that I still remember it as if it were yesterday. May the Good and Merciful Lord grant them ETERNAL PEACE. Yours fraternally, Abdon.
Antoon Oostveen, M.Afr.
Receive my condolences and those of my confreres at the passing of your dear father. He had been blessed with a long life. And you were graced with his presence among you in the family for a long time. But to lose a dear parent is touching us at our roots. We are united with you, your mum and the others of your siblings in these days. We hold him and all of you to Our Heavenly Father. May he receive him in the joy of his love. Antoon and Frederic and Jacek.
Fredy Kombo, M.Afr.
Je te présente mes condoléances. Qu’il repose en paix dans la demeure éternelle. Fraternellement, Freddy
Chimwemwe Theresa Mgangira, M.S.O.L.A.
This is to let you know that we prayed for your Dad, you and the whole family. may the Lord grant him eternal rest. May He give you and the whole family strength and courage at this difficult time. may he rest in peace. God bless you. With prayer and sympathy. Chimwemwe.
Joseph Francis Makoka, M.Afr
Greetings from Likuni Malawi dear Fr Serge. This is profoundly to express our heartfelt sincere condolences for the passing on of your dearest and lovely father Bastien. We are at heart with you and we continue to pray for you and your family in our humble Eucharist prayers.
Pepani! Pepani! Pepani!
Fraternally, Fr Joseph Francis Makoka (M.Afr)
Piet van Hulten, M.Afr
The message concerning the passing away of your Father received yesterday. My condolences.
We know that we have to leave our parents but it once it comes it touches us. Still let us remember that now your father is in much better hands then here below and as you mentioned he is now with his daughter.
From far I am with you, Greetings, Piet van Hulten
Raphael Gasimba, M.Afr
Dear Serge, my condolences for the death of your beloved father. My thoughts and heart are with you and all your family during this difficult time. May the Lord grant eternal peace to your father.
In my time of prayer I hold you and indeed the whole family. May the Lord grant you peace and consolation of the heart.
Fraternally yours. Raphael Gasimba
John Aserbire
Dear Serge, Just got the sad news of the passing into eternity of your Dad. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and be assured of my prayers for him and your entire family. John Aserbire.
Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr
Thanks so much dear John for your prayers.
Konrad Millanzi , M.Afr
I am joining you and your family in this hard time of mourning for the death of your father. I keep you and your family in my prayers. May we continue to pray that the soul of our father may rest in eternal peace, amen!
Henry Byamukama M.Afr
Praying with you at the grand welcome into Eternity of your dear Dad! May the Lord from whom we come and go, welcome Him with in His Mercy and unending love! Blessings, Henry
Edú Arão
The lord be with you. In your mission
clare stramara
Dear Serge I JUST LEARN TONIGHT OF THE DEATH OF YOUR FATHER HE WAS A VERY GOOD MAN. I SHALL NEVER FORGET HIS KINDNESS TO ME WHEN I WAS WITH YOU ALL IN CANADA MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. CLARE STRAMARA