After just spending my day off caring for my dear mother who is still struggling with health issues, some unrelated to the surgery she had three weeks ago, I find myself with a greater appreciation for those who care for their loved one 24/7 for weeks and sometimes months on end. When I think about such heroes in our own parish and community, I am in awe of the fact that so many of our caregivers are seniors whose strength and stamina have lessened due to their age and own health issues. My first thought is that I will start including these dear people (and not just their care receivers) in my daily prayers. I invite you to do so as well. Secondly, I urge those of you who know of a caregiver, whether a parishioner or not, to support them in any way you can, through phone calls, visits and offers to help out in various practical ways. Thirdly, please consider joining our "Helping Hands" ministry which offers to "answer the call" when you can to help a parishioner and/or caregiver who has a need (like taking someone to the doctor, or sitting with someone while their caregiver takes a break or goes to the store).
Our two "Helping Hands" coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (501-915-8456) and Pat Widlowski (501-922-1395) are ready to share with you what the oppotunities and needs are in this ministry and give you the chance to think about it and hopefully agree to be a "helper" in at least one area of need. There is a "Helping Hands Corner" on the long wooden credenza in the area that leads from the Narthex into the educational/administrative wing of our Parish building. It details what the opportunities for service are and has a written application you can fill out. FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT is the need for those who are caregivers or are in need of help to not hesitate to call "Helping Hands" to share your need and see if "Helping Hands" people can help. If it is an ongoing, weekly need, our coordinators will be glad to give you agencies and phone numbers to call to see about getting people to come in and help for a fee. I also want to urge caregivers to consider joining our caregivers support group that meets twice a month in one of our church classrooms. Call Evelyn Garrison (501-204-4134) or Maureen Morely Halloran (228-342-0491) to get more information and consider coming to this group to see if it will benefit you (and indirectly, the person you are caring for).
As I write this pastor's column, it is primary election day in Arkansas. While sadly many people in this day and age truly wonder and question whether those elected will "serve" others, especially those most in need in the ways they can do so, I have the utmost confidence that those who are called to serve others especially seniors who are physically and/or mentally in need, are producing much fruit for those they care for and are blessed abundantly for what they do!!!
Our two "Helping Hands" coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (501-915-8456) and Pat Widlowski (501-922-1395) are ready to share with you what the oppotunities and needs are in this ministry and give you the chance to think about it and hopefully agree to be a "helper" in at least one area of need. There is a "Helping Hands Corner" on the long wooden credenza in the area that leads from the Narthex into the educational/administrative wing of our Parish building. It details what the opportunities for service are and has a written application you can fill out. FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT is the need for those who are caregivers or are in need of help to not hesitate to call "Helping Hands" to share your need and see if "Helping Hands" people can help. If it is an ongoing, weekly need, our coordinators will be glad to give you agencies and phone numbers to call to see about getting people to come in and help for a fee. I also want to urge caregivers to consider joining our caregivers support group that meets twice a month in one of our church classrooms. Call Evelyn Garrison (501-204-4134) or Maureen Morely Halloran (228-342-0491) to get more information and consider coming to this group to see if it will benefit you (and indirectly, the person you are caring for).
As I write this pastor's column, it is primary election day in Arkansas. While sadly many people in this day and age truly wonder and question whether those elected will "serve" others, especially those most in need in the ways they can do so, I have the utmost confidence that those who are called to serve others especially seniors who are physically and/or mentally in need, are producing much fruit for those they care for and are blessed abundantly for what they do!!!
One of the blessings of my priestly ministry, which some, including a few priests, would say is not the kind of blessing they would want to have, is the opportunity I am given during my visits to the hospital, nursing homes, and people's homes to be with those who are in the proximate stage of dying. Sometimes family members are present and join with me in the prayers that are prayed for the dying person, especially the Litany of the Saints. A week or so ago, I had that experience with Bill Sparks and his loving family who were gathered around his bed. We also prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which was encouraged by St. Faustina for the dying through revelations of the Lord that she received over a long period of time. As we finished prayers for Bill, he opened his eyes and, in a few words, acknowledged what we had done for him. Last Saturday, I was made aware by her husband, Gene, that Teri LaBove, (according to the hospice nurse) that she could die at any time. I went to their home and was told by Gene that he had been giving here regular doses of Morphine to keep her comfortable and that she was pretty unresponsive. I went to her bed, spoke her name, and grasped her hand. She briefly opened her eyes and acknowledged my presence with a few words and then fell back to sleep, as I then proceeded to pray the Litany of the Saints and pray the prayer commending her to the merciful arms of the Lord. She died the next morning after her daughter arrived and spent a short amount of time at her side. Finally, this past Sunday, I went to Encompass Rehab to see parishioner Carleen Ferguson who has struggled in many ways since the death of her husband Dan, almost 3 years ago! She told me of a recent issue in her stomach that the medical people were treating with some medicine. I asked if she could receive Holy Communion and she didn't hesitate to say yes. Little did I (or she) know that this would be food for her journey home to the Lord (which is called Viaticum) as she died suddenly less than three hours later.
I share all this with you for a number of reasons. Firstly, in my almost 36 years of priestly ministry, I have seen many more people than not, in peace before they die. I do my best to assist them through the final sacraments and prayers that remind and hopefully assure them of God's love and mercy and of their everlasting future with the Lord (which can also serve as a comfort to the family who are starting or wil be starting the grieving process). Secondly, I hope you keep in mind and have my cell phone number (501-209-2502) on hand and call me when your loved one is sick AND FOR SURE when they are dying no matter the time of day or night!!! I want to be there with and for them and for the family in the name of Jesus Christ and their brothers and sisters in the Lord from Sacred Heart Parish!!!
Finally, please include in your prayers each day all those who are dying, that they will come to a peace that helps them to "let go" of this life with the assurance of faith that they are about to begin their journey to be with the Lord forever. My thoughts, if not also my words of faith say to the person who is dying: "until we meet again" in and with the Communion of Saints in Glory. Also, please don't hesitate to call me right after your loved one has died, as I am open to coming to their bedside and praying the beautiful prayers for those who have died. I want to do that for them, and be there for any family who are present and who are dealing with the passing of their loved one!!!
I share all this with you for a number of reasons. Firstly, in my almost 36 years of priestly ministry, I have seen many more people than not, in peace before they die. I do my best to assist them through the final sacraments and prayers that remind and hopefully assure them of God's love and mercy and of their everlasting future with the Lord (which can also serve as a comfort to the family who are starting or wil be starting the grieving process). Secondly, I hope you keep in mind and have my cell phone number (501-209-2502) on hand and call me when your loved one is sick AND FOR SURE when they are dying no matter the time of day or night!!! I want to be there with and for them and for the family in the name of Jesus Christ and their brothers and sisters in the Lord from Sacred Heart Parish!!!
Finally, please include in your prayers each day all those who are dying, that they will come to a peace that helps them to "let go" of this life with the assurance of faith that they are about to begin their journey to be with the Lord forever. My thoughts, if not also my words of faith say to the person who is dying: "until we meet again" in and with the Communion of Saints in Glory. Also, please don't hesitate to call me right after your loved one has died, as I am open to coming to their bedside and praying the beautiful prayers for those who have died. I want to do that for them, and be there for any family who are present and who are dealing with the passing of their loved one!!!
As I have encouraged participation in at least one daily Mass each week especially to those who participate faithfully in Mass every weekend as I believe it to be the most important way to grow in one's spiritual life and in peace and joy in the Lord, I give you now another reason to do so. In every Mass there is a prayer that is led by the celebrant of Mass that has a response from the congregation. This response is said not once but twice during Mass and in most places it is only said by the people at daily Mass. Those who rarely if ever come to daily Mass, might not know what that response is. It comes after the priest holds up the bread and then the wine at the offertory time of Mass and says "Blessed are you Lord God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread (or wine to offer you)......" The people's response (which the priest says at a Sunday Mass because an offertory song is being played and hopefully sung) is "Blessed be God forever!"
While many of the Faithful realize how important it is to give thanks to God and do so often or at least at the end of the day (and remember the Greek word for Eucharist means Thanksgiving), the great Spanish mystic and doctor of the Church, St. John of the Cross once wrote: "A single 'Blessed be God' in adversity is worth more than a thousand acts of thanksgiving in prosperity," I would ask each one of you to ponder that. When I did, I thought of the book of Job which tells the story of Job, a faithful servant of God who literally lost everyone and every material thing he had and his health as well and still uttered the famous words of faith. " The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21). This was not saying that God was responsible for his woes (as we know from the story that was the devil who willed these losses upon Job in the hope that Job would then curse the Lord). Job believed in the sovereignty of God which means among other things his total trust in God! I hope those who do attend and participate in daily Mass (and I pray that more of you will do do) will give deeper thought about what they say at the offertory at Mass and truly Bless God in words and in deeds in adversity AND in prosperity knowing through his Son, Jesus Christ that our eternal destiny is in His Hands.!!
While many of the Faithful realize how important it is to give thanks to God and do so often or at least at the end of the day (and remember the Greek word for Eucharist means Thanksgiving), the great Spanish mystic and doctor of the Church, St. John of the Cross once wrote: "A single 'Blessed be God' in adversity is worth more than a thousand acts of thanksgiving in prosperity," I would ask each one of you to ponder that. When I did, I thought of the book of Job which tells the story of Job, a faithful servant of God who literally lost everyone and every material thing he had and his health as well and still uttered the famous words of faith. " The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21). This was not saying that God was responsible for his woes (as we know from the story that was the devil who willed these losses upon Job in the hope that Job would then curse the Lord). Job believed in the sovereignty of God which means among other things his total trust in God! I hope those who do attend and participate in daily Mass (and I pray that more of you will do do) will give deeper thought about what they say at the offertory at Mass and truly Bless God in words and in deeds in adversity AND in prosperity knowing through his Son, Jesus Christ that our eternal destiny is in His Hands.!!