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NEW YORK, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1983 Cardinal Cooke Dies at 62

Terence Cardinal Cooke's coat of arms with the motto "Thy
will be done."

  I pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit with the firm hope that I will ever have the faith, courage and love to fulfill God's holy will each moment of my life.
  I thank God for the wonderful gift of the priesthood and for the happiness that I have found united with Jesus in the church in the service of my brothers and sisters in God's human family. It has been a joy to live among priests, religious and laity, to have the opportunity of serving them, to experience the warmth of friendship, to watch their devoted labors and sacrifices and to know and feel the encouragement and strength of their prayerful support. I deeply appreciate their kindness and I am sorry for any failure on my part in doing the will of our Heavenly Father.
  I wish to thank my brothers and sisters in God's family with whom I have come in contact during the days of my life for their friendship, for their generous assistance in my pastoral work and for overlooking my faults. I trust that all, in their charity,will secure for me by their prayers, pardon from God for my failures.
  With gratitude I accept whatever manner of death God wills for me and despite my unworthiness, with faith in God's grace and plan, I hope for eternal life in the company of the Risen Saviour. 
  May God bless you with His peace!

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