It's always a treat to head over to the post office and
see what's arrived in box 320. A new FSJC member. A
request for prayer
books
or other material. A note of thanks. A donation.
The same holds true with our e-mail
addresses.
We don't get much junk mail. We don't
receive many spam messages. In an age when "real
letters" can seem rare, we're privileged to hear from,
and correspond with, people -- caregivers,
care-receivers, and those who help both -- all over the
world.
Still, it can take us a little while to
reply to a note, to answer a question, to mail back
printed material. And we do, on occasion, misplace a
letter that was sent to us ("I know I put it on my desk
right here!") or click the wrong button and
delete -- and have to retrieve -- an e-mail ("Oh,
noooooo!")
Needless to say, that never happens when
you send even the fastest and briefest prayer to heaven.
"Oh, dear God, help!" for example.
Our heavenly Father never misplaces a
prayer. Never deletes it. Never ignores it. Never fails
to answer it . . . though not always giving the
specific response, or solution, you would prefer.
Caregivers and care-receivers continue to
tell us the spiritual side of each vocation includes an
increased awareness of the need for prayer and of the
presence of God in one's daily life.
You remain in our prayers.
Please keep us in yours.
- - -
This week we want to welcome
five new members to the Friends of St. John the
Caregiver. "Hello" to Gilberte D. in Massachusetts,
Michelle A. in Michigan, Dolores L. in Washington,
Debbie Z. in Ohio, and Carmen T. in the Philippines.
(Our first member from that country!)
Please keep them and their intentions in
your prayers. They've promised to pray for caregivers
and those receiving care.
Again this week we invite you to join, too.
You can find out more about becoming
a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers). You can:
As the Catholic Health Association of Canada explains, "Pope
John Paul II instituted World Day of the Sick on May 13,
1992,
setting
aside February 11, Feast of our Lady of Lourdes, for its
annual celebration. On this day, the ill are encouraged
to reflect on the Christian meaning of suffering. The
occasion also provides an opportunity for those involved
in health care to recall the roots of their healing
mission."
Needless to say, it's also been an
important event for caregivers! We've scoured the
Internet looking for information on World Day of the
Sick 2009 but can't find anything on an international
level. (No statement from Pope Benedict XVI, for
example.) There are countries and dioceses marking the
event and, of course, parishes are making note of it as
well.
On this Wednesday, Feb. 11th, please know
that you -- as a caregiver or care-receiver -- are being
prayed for by members of the Friends of St. John the
Caregiver. And on every other day of the year, too!
This is the World Day of the Sick prayer
distributed by the Catholic Health Association of Canada
three years ago:
Healer God, all who are sick and burdened come
to you.
Heal them with your healing hands.
Touch their souls with your compassion,
their hearts with your courage,
their minds with your wisdom.
Reach out to them in their need,
and help caregivers be a sign
of your presence to them. Amen.
- - -
Again this week we invite you to join
the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. (Now with members
in nine countries on four continents!)
You can find out more about becoming
a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers). You can:
Caregiving can be filled -- overrun! -- with "shoulds"
and "shouldn'ts." You know what we mean. You should do
this, this and
this. You shouldn't do that, that and
that. Or so it seems. The truth is there are some "shoulds"
you may consider "shouldn'ts." And high on that list is
giving yourself a little break. You really should stop and
. . . Have that second cup of coffee. Sit down with your
feet up and your eyes closed. Do something just for you!
We know it can be hard to give
yourself permission to do that. It may help to remember
that's what Jesus told his apostles to do.
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and
reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them, "Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while." People were
coming and going in great numbers, and they had no
opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves
to a deserted place. (Mark 6:30-32)
And, if it helps, you have our permission, too. We insist!
Here's a coupon you can use as often as you like:
- - -
This week we want to welcome two new members to the
Friends of St. John the Caregiver. "Hello" to Margaret
F. in South Dakota and Stacia G. in Colorado.
Please keep them and their intentions in
your prayers. They've promised to pray for caregivers
and those receiving care.
Again this week we invite you to join, too.
You can find out more about becoming
a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers). You can:
We came across the lovely -- and moving -- film "Garry
and Harry" (by Steven Madeja) last week and knew it was
one we
wanted to share with you, especially if you're
helping a loved one who has Alzheimer's.
As the Web site
that hosts the video explains:
Fathers Garry and Harry Giroux are twin brothers,
both Roman Catholic priests in a small town in
upstate New York. But in 2004, Father Harry was
diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, and his
brother Father Garry has been his caregiver ever
since. "Garry and Harry" explores this fascinating
story and the relationship of these brothers as they
deal with their faith, family, and hope in the face
of tragedy.
We have an update on the 17th World Day of the Sick
which was Feb. 11th. Pope Benedict XVI issued a
message that centered on children who are ill and on
the parents and family members who help them. It calls
for assisting those caregivers, too! Here's an excerpt
(with the emphasis added):
This year our
attention focuses in particular on children, the
weakest and most defenseless creatures, and on those
of them who are sick and suffering. There are tiny
human beings who bear in their bodies the
consequences of incapacitating diseases, and others
who are fighting illnesses that are still incurable
today, despite the progress of medicine and the
assistance of qualified researchers and health-care
professionals. . . . Since the sick child belongs to a family
that frequently shares in his or her suffering with
serious hardship and difficulties, Christian
communities cannot but also feel duty-bound to help
families afflicted by the illness of a son or
daughter.
After the example of the "Good Samaritan,"
it is necessary to bend over the people so harshly
tried and offer them the support of their concrete
solidarity.
In this way the acceptance and sharing
of suffering is expressed in the practical support
of sick children's families, creating in them an
atmosphere of serenity and hope and making them feel
that they are in the midst of a larger family of
brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jesus' compassion for the widow of Nain
(cf. Lk 7:12-17) and for Jairus' supplication (cf.
Lk 8:41-56) constitute, among others, useful
reference points for learning to share in the
moments of physical and moral suffering of the many
sorely tried families.
And speaking of Lent, Ash Wednesday is this week. If
you're looking for an
on-line Lenten retreat, we still recommend what's
offered at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. (And,
yes, that's St. John the Caregiver and Our Lady in Need
at the foot of the cross in the artwork.)
Creighton also has
"Praying with Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease."
- - -
Want to get a jump on Lent and do something positive?
Now's the time to become a member of the Friends of St.
John the Caregiver. (No, it's not a penance!)
You can find out more about becoming a
member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers). You can:
books
or other material. A note of thanks. A donation.
setting
aside February 11, Feast of our Lady of Lourdes, for its
annual celebration. On this day, the ill are encouraged
to reflect on the Christian meaning of suffering. The
occasion also provides an opportunity for those involved
in health care to recall the roots of their healing
mission
this. You shouldn't do that, that and
that. Or so it seems. The truth is there are some "shoulds"
you may consider "shouldn'ts." And high on that list is
giving yourself a little break. You really should stop and
. . . Have that second cup of coffee. Sit down with your
feet up and your eyes closed. Do something just for you!
wanted to share with you, especially if you're
helping a loved one who has Alzheimer's.