An Announcement For You About Randy the Benedictine Cat

"Place your hope in God alone."

RB 4.41

Greetings!

Randy 2004 - 2013

On this feast day of St. Benedict it is with deep sadness that I let you know of Randy's death from cancer. He had been diagnosed with lymphoma in April of this year and had improved measurably on chemotherapy. Towards the end of May he began to lose weight and became more and more withdrawn, growing weaker with each day.

We were going to board him at the Vet when we were on vacation in June, but when that day arrived we knew, instead, the time had come to let him go. We asked the vet to be gentle and to put him to sleep in a painless way. He loved being brushed, so I brushed him the whole time that it took for him to gradually fall deeply asleep and then leave us, his little purr getting quieter and quieter. John and I extend our thanks to Dr. Hollo and his staff at Basking Ridge Animal Hospital for their support and kindness to us and to Randy.

When Randy was diagnosed with cancer in April he wrote a final letter to you. I include that letter in this announcement.

May this day bring you peace, joy and the healing touch of Christ.

Jane

The Rule According to Randy

Mewsings

Written After His Diagnosis of Lymphoma - April 2013

My dear friends. I wanted to write this to you before I got too weak to put my thoughts together.

As you may know from the March-April newsletter of this year, I'm very sick. The vet told Abbess Jane and Prior John that I have lymphoma. Amma is doing everything that she can to take care of me just as Benedict instructs. He says that care of the sick ranks above everything (36.1) and for this I am so grateful. For my part I'm also doing my best to follow Benedict's instructions to those who are sick - not to demand too much (36.4).

I know in my heart that I will soon join the other Benedictine cats who are now in the Paradise Cloister, a place of peace and joy. But I will miss my own cloister and writing to all of you. Amma told me that she doesn't want to write the newsletter without me, but I mewed encouragement for her to continue. The voice of Benedict needs to be heard in our world. As yet I don't know if any of my sisters or brothers in the cloister can take over the job of writing about the Rule. Ricky has helped me. He is young, only 4, but Benedict does say that God often gives what is better to the younger (3.3).

In closing, I want to wish you well and tell you how much I've enjoyed sharing with you in the newsletter. Please be diligent and faithful in following as much of the Rule as you can. Benedict had a kind heart and you will too when you follow his wisdom and put all of it into practice. I think this says it all...

Do not be daunted immediately by fear

and run away from the road that leads to salvation.

It is bound to be narrow at the start.

But as you progress in this way of life and in faith,

you shall run on the path of God's commandments,

your heart overflowing

with the inexpressible delight of love.

Prologue 48-49 modified

God bless you and all your dear animal friends.

Your feline Benedictine friend,

A Prayer for Our Dear Animal Friends

Dear God,

We give thanks to you for Randy and for the lives of all our animal friends departed. We thank you for the love and companionship we shared. We miss them, but in the midst of our sadness we recognize the blessings they brought to us. Just as you are aware of every sparrow that falls, be with Randy and all the animals who shared their lives with us as they bask in the light of your presence. In the name of Jesus we pray. AMEN.

Randy and Charlotte snoozing on the cat tower

Contact Information

Jane Tomaine

908-463-3252

janetomaine@stbenedictstoolbox.org