'Dear Friends' May 2007

Monday, May 7, 2007     Patroness of Care-receivers Dear Friends,    The lilacs are in full bloom here in western Washington state. Somehow those blossoms -- their colors and scent -- always take us back to the May crownings of our youth. Bringing flowers of the fairest and rarest to honor our Blessed Mother. And speaking of Mary, this week we received the first copies of the new FSJC (Friends of St. John the Caregiver) holy card/prayer card that features a prayer to Our Lady in Need on the back. The front has the same image of St. John and Mary that's on the St. John holy card/prayer card. Prayer to Our Lady in Need, Patroness of Care-receivers My Dear Mother, as you stood at the foot of the cross in need of help, your Son asked St. John to become your caregiver. Be with me now in my time of need. Pray for me and all care-receivers, that we can accept assistance from others as gratefully and graciously as you did. Amen.    Just let us know if you would like one or more copies mailed to you. There's no charge. - - -    We have to give credit for the idea to a caregiver we met last fall during a parish visit. She asked what material we had for her to bring home to her care-receiver. Since then, time and again, those receiving care have told us how challenging they've found their vocation. Using the scene at the foot of the cross, it becomes clear that caregivers, care-receivers and those who assist both each have a particular vocation.   We're happy to report each vocation is represented among the membership of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. And this week we welcome new members Ann, Kim, Joanne and Carol.  (We invite you to join, too.) - - -       And, as we wrote last week: If you have been a member of a caregiver support group would you please let us know what worked and what didn't work? What you liked and what you didn't like about it? Thank you so much!    God bless you!                                                             Monica and Bill Past "Dear Friends" notes To contact us To make a donation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, May 14, 2007     'Not my . . . " Dear Friends,    We'll let you in on a secret. When it comes to family caregiving, even if you're a health-care professional or social worker, it's a whole new ballgame when it's your parent, your spouse, or your loved one who needs care. (We speak from personal experience when we say that's true even if a person writes an entire book on family caregiving!)    Yes, you were sad when your best friend's mom needed to move into a nursing home. Yes, you saw how devastating it was when your sister's husband died after a lengthy illness. But . . . There's a difference when it's your parent. When it's your spouse. When it's someone very, very near and dear to your heart. And that difference, that chasm, can catch a caregiver by surprise. It's true that all those things may happen to other people, but not my. . . . - - -    This week we welcome two new members to the Friends of St. John the Caregiver: Barbara and Helen. We thank them and all our members who have promised to pray for family caregivers and those receiving care. (We invite you to join, too.)       God bless you!                                                             Monica and Bill Past "Dear Friends" notes To contact us To make a donation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, May 21, 2007     Lunch with the Ladies Dear Friends,    We want to thank the Washington State Council of the Knights of Columbus for inviting us to make a presentation at its annual convention last Saturday. We were the featured speakers at a luncheon for the Knights' wives and what a lovely audience it was. Monica talked about the basics of Catholic caregiving and some of the emotions commonly experienced by caregivers and care-receivers. Bill's topic was the Friends of St. John the Caregiver.    It was so wonderful to be able to thank all the family caregivers in that room and to tell them that they were being prayed for by FSJC members. Many ladies came up to us afterwards to tell us a little bit about their own caregiving experiences and to say how much they appreciated those prayers!    Well done, members!   Some of the ladies who aren't caring for a loved one at this time asked for extra material (prayers books, holy cards and so on) to take home to give to a friend or family member who is a caregiver right now. It was wonderful to be able to tell them to please take as much as they needed . . . and a little more. There's no charge.    Well done, donors! - - -   This week we welcome Rita as a new member. Rita leads a support group for caregivers and families of people with Alzheimer's. She asked her fellow FSJC members to remember them in their prayers. (We invite you to join FSJC, too.) - - -    Would you like us to speak at your convention, gathering or parish? Are you interested in a caregiver retreat? Just send us a note and give us the details.       God bless you!                                                             Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, May 28, 2007     Quiz Time! Dear Friends,    Think back to those simpler times when . . . Well, everything wasn't black or white but television was. Recognize that fellow?"Leave It to Beaver" first aired in 1957. (And didn't that half century pass quickly?) Assuming young Theodore was around 6 then, he'd be in his mid-50s now and could be taking care of a Ward and June who are pushing -- or have already passed -- 90. (The reality is Jerry Mathers was born in 1948, Hugh Beaumont in 1909, Barbara Billingsley in 1915, and Tony Dow in 1945. Beaumont died in 1982.) We mention "the Beav" here because he's part of a little quiz in our spring newsletter.    - - -    CatholicCaregivers.com now has the June editions of: --"Catholic Caregivers": a one-page flier on a caregiving topic; this month it's "Choosing the Best Solution" --"Caregiving is pro-life!" bulletin briefs: quotes on caregiving that can be cut and pasted into bulletins and newsletters --Caregiver-related Prayers of Intercession for each Sunday of the month, based on the Mass readings for that day    There's also a new mini-poster that's just perfect for the bulletin board in a church's narthex or vestibule. - - -    This week we're so pleased to welcome Lynn and Bob who became members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. (We invite you to join, too.)       God bless you!                                                             Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes