Catholics
Comments
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Wow, you gals were tough this morning! ;-)
Traci - I'm so happy to hear of your physical progress! Yes, I highlighted that text (I think) from the Catechism on purpose. Everyone is a child of God - everyone. We cannot judge b/c only his or her Maker knows the cross they are bearing. I was thinking at Mass today, that each and every one of us is a sinner. We all have our special weakness and propensity to sin. When we point our finger at someone else with a different sin on their soul and say they are evil and will go to hell, then Christ will point His finger right back at us and point out our sin and how evil it is to Him. We can never know what turmoil a person is going through in their heart. Just like they cannot know ours.
Paula - dear one. I know the agony you're going through. I've been there with so many loved ones including my mother. Traci's right... if you can, talk to her even if she's not "there" because of drugs. Her soul can hear. Your heart is tearing to pieces, BUT IT WILL HEAL. Life does go on and you are called by God to continue on.
Sheila - ugh!! your insomnia!!! You poor dear. There must be another med for you?
Well, laundry is calling. Skip is finally taking down the Christmas lights! LOL
Thank you all for allowing me to learn more of my faith in the research I do for all of us. My next SFO lesson is on humility and chastity ... how timely! I had to leave my book with my teachers, otherwise I'd quote from it.
And as Fr. Krempa said in his homily today about Lazarus coming back to life... we ALL are called continually to come back to the life of Christ and it's never too late... even after death, as Christians it's just a continuation of our life with Christ.
Pax et bonum!
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I've been singing this song in my head all day ... maybe I'm a messenger for Grace or others of us struggling. We didn't sing it at Mass today, so it just popped in all by itself. :-)
The hymn is "Hosea" by Gregory Norbert.
Come back to me with all your heart,
don't let fear keep us apart.
Trees do bend, tho' straight and tall;
so must we to others' call.Long have I waited for your coming
home to me and living deeply our new life.The wilderness will lead you
to your heart where I will speak.
Integrity and justice
with tenderness you shall know.Long have I waited for your coming
home to me and living deeply our new life.You shall sleep secure with peace;
faithfulness will be your joy.Long have I waited for your coming
home to me and living deeply our new life.Here is a YouTube of the composer performing it if you are not familiar with the hymn!
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Hello ladies, i don't post here, but i do read a page or 2 (you guys are prolific, lol) every couple of days. I love the novenas
This was posted in my Church bulletin today, and i thought of you ladies immediately.
I will be attending and praying for you all, and I thought if anyone was in the NYC area on these days they could attend
St. Patrick's 2nd annual Healling Masses
The first St. Patricks's Annual Healing Masses - including the communal rite of anointing the sick, and devotion to St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer - will be heled @ St. Patrick's Catherdral, 14 E.51st Street, Manhattan, on Monday, May 2, at 7pm. All cancer patients and their families are invited to attend.
The second Mass with devotion to St. Dymphna, patron saint of mental health wiill be on May 16th, at 7 pm (for those suffering from emotional and psychological difficulties, as well as Alzheimers and other illnesses of the mind.
Ok I'll be quiet now, but thought it would be nice for those in the area
love to my sisters in Christ
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welcome mamanmidwife....I see you live in Brooklyn I am from there originally... what part I lived in downtown brooklyn then in Mill basin, also lived in Merrick for a short time
Paula I am so sorry about whats going on with your mom and will continue to pray for her and your family. Please know That I am wrapping my arms around you and holding your hand giving you strength...hugsto you!!!!
Grace... I know I have at times of my life been at spirtual crossroads I call them. I feel like we are constantly being tested and I too have often felt like I lost the way. I think we each need to find our way back in our own time and in our own way. Since my dad died which will be 3 years in August it has truly been one family issue after another... I am learning to throw myself in deeper and with my whole heart as each thing occurs... Know that we are here for you in whatever way we can be to hold your hand and just be! hugs to you!
blessings sisters!
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Paula - am so sorry your mother has taken turn for worse and so glad you are there with her. I'm sure that gives her a lot of comfort having you near. I'm remembering you and your mom & family in my prayers.
Gracie - I think we've all been there. Even Mother Theresa had deep doubts at times during her life so don't be hard on yourself - just keep your heart open.
Theresa - can't thank you enough for all your posts. Each one touches me.
Mama - the mass at St. Patrick's sounds amazing. I hope you will let us know every detail!!!
God bless.Traci - you sound better. I'm doing OK - I'm just aggravated with this seroma and know I'll have to go back for another aspiration. It doesn't hurt or anything but makes me feel like I'm not making progress. But it has only been 2 weeks -- Lord, give me patience. And I've been so dizzy w/allergies that I 've been miserable last couple days. And oak tree pollen isn't even out yet - that's the worst.
Kay - hope this week is better for you dear.
I can't believe next Sunday is Palm Sunday already. Time just goes so fast. Praying for all of you!
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Good night to my sweet sisters xo
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Thanks to everyone who responded. I just feel like I don't have the energy any more for faith. Does that make any sense? Of course I believe in God and I will remain Catholic, no fear at all of my ever going anywhere else, but I am just so danged tired. I don't have the energy to go to Mass, I don't have the energy to pray. I don't have the energy to be repentant. I'm just bone tired.
I do have a psychologist that I've been seeing now for about six months and we have talked about post traumatic stress. I'm not handling my mom's cancer at all well. I've been so incredibly stressed out, WAY more than I was with my own. With my own I could accept. With my mom's I haven't been able to. I think alot of it is wanting to protect her. She's always been protected. She was the baby of 9. And her mom left when she was one year old, and left the husband (my grandfather) and all nine children. So the older kids took care of her. Then she married my dad. He loved her with his whole heart. And he took care of her and protected her. And he died in the 80's. So since then it's been up to my brother and I to take care of her and protect her. And my brother is an alcoholic, and when I say alcoholic, I mean really really badly alcoholic. He drinks every single day. So he's no help at all.
So basically, I'm just worn out. I feel like I was just getting back on my feet when my husband had his heart attack. One year later, my mom had major back surgery and was in the hospital for two months. Guess who took care of her, stayed with her almost 24/7, one hour drive up, one hour drive home, every day. Then when she came home, I stayed with her at home. She just started getting better in about May of last year. In July she started swelling from ascites (we didn't know at that point it was ovarian cancer). So, months of tests, then in October she started chemo. I've taken care of her daily during chemo, all of the appointments out of town (we live in a very small town, so we have to go elsewhere for doctors, chemo, blood tests, emergency room, etc.) Everything. It's all been on me. Now, surgery in three weeks, then more recouperation time. It will still be my responsibility. No one else to step up to the plate.
Please don't get me wrong. I love my mother sooooo much. I would do anything for her. But I also am very scared about what all of this stress is doing to my body. Knowing what we know about cancer, I have no idea when mine might come back. I know the stress is working on me. I can only hope that mine doesn't reoccur from stress.
Please pray for me. I have no idea what is going to happen at this point. I really want to go back to Mass. I really want to pray. But another part of me just says "why". At this point, why?
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Gracie, I hear you, I am praying for you, that your weary soul find comfort in the love of the Lord. That the work of your hands be His work, and that in your suffering you find God's mercy. Go to mass and you will feel like I did, it's like going home, that familiarity, the sense of belonging. During Lent right now, you can renew your hope, open the eyes of your heart, and listen...He is calling your name and whispering to you that everything will be okay. He's got this, He's in control, fall into His arms, take a deep breath and let Him guide you through each day. Wake in the morning and tell Him "Here I am Lord, I have come to do Your will." That's all you can do. Consider me your sister in Christ....I am praying for you now.
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Gracie---i'm the first one you talked too. I told you everyone would take you in there arms and pray for you. But i'm hearing a seriousness in your writing that concerns me. I believe you must let your counselor know about. Please, are you on an antidepressant? I'll Pm with the rest of the ???
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Dear Gracie,
You have so much to handle! I am so sorry you are dealing with so much. It sounds like you have been doing, doing, doing, for everyone--your description of all that you do left me feeling physically exhausted! Please, honey, take care of yourself. When I was in the midst of my treatment I got very depressed and could not reach out to the Lord. You are his beautiful child and he knows what you are going through and is with you, as is our Blessed Mother, who is holding you in her arms. Rest in her, and us, sweet sister. We are here for you. Take a deep breath right now and know that you are not alone.
In sisterhood, xo
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There was a beautiful gospel at Mass this morning. The Gospel where Jesus is writing in the sand and the crowd wants to stone the woman caught in adultry. In the end, the crowd leaves and Jesus tells the woman I don't condemn you either, go and sin no more. Father did a really nice homily about being judgemental.
Gracie, I'm praying for you. I wish I could do more. Take care and God bless.
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Gigi - thanks for the healing Masses information! No, don't be quiet!! We want to you post when you're inspired to do so and even when you're not! :-)
Gracie - You're in my prayers... I hope Sheila can help you too. God knows your heart.
Sagina - thank you for posting! Yes, just sitting quietly in church brings so much peace! I love the older churches and Cathedrals where they still have real candles... you can smell the candles and the faint remnants of the incense. Just Home.
Ellie - beautiful.
Kay - thank you for sharing. I love that Gospel story! :-)
Ok... I purchased the sympathy card for the Santiago family ... Carlos (father), Melinda (mother), Anna (sister). Sheila wrote a lovely note that I'll share in a separate post with you. I'll sign all of our names (those I know who participated in Novena) and those who were silently pray with us. Let me know if I forget any names... I did my best by looking through the thread on the days of the Novena.
Our Novena continues to show effects... the job that I interviewed for called me today and offered me the job. It pays considerably less b/c, they say, of the location and I'd get a cut in paid time off. I told them I would talk to my husband and get back to them. Skip thinks they're low balling me and to tell them that I cannot regress in salary or PTO. [He used more colorful words, which I will not share!!] My current company has an office in that location and I spoke to one of the fellas here who works on those contracts... he wants to include me but it will take time. I am leaning toward giving my current company time to see what they can work out. Anyway, the job offer is contingent on their winning the contract and it won't be until this summer. It's never easy.
I will be on business travel tomorrow through Thursday to NJ... Becky is coming with me to visit one of her girlfriends, so that should be fun! One of my best buddies from work is also coming up to NJ... she now lives in FL but is also coming up to NJ for business. We worked in the same office for 4 years together. Can't wait! She has such enthusiasm for life, despite all her hard knocks. She has the whole Brooklyn accent and attitude going -- I'm sure Maria and Gigi know what I'm talking about! I love her like a sister.
Have a blessed day everyone!
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Dearest Familia of Micheal. Carlos most loving Father, Melinda most loving Mother, and Anna most loving sister. We, the sisters united together on the Catholic Thread of Breastcancer,org, learned of Michael's unknown incapacitation, included him in our ongoing novena to St Joseph that started on March 31st. He was included on April 6th St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Workers. Continued April 7th St. Joseph, Friend in Suffering. The novena was completed on April 8th, St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death. The reason that he was included was two of our members had direct knowledge of his need. The novena was begun for reasons of need for other members. When we heard of Michael's need it affected us all. Most of us are mothers with children. All of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. All of us are facing our own mortality. Some are winning, some have not. These last few words were not to bring you tears or make your hearts heavier. It is to let you know, we acutely understand your grief. The loss of Michael-your son and brother- at this time creates such a hole in your heart. At this time, you likely feel that nothing can make that hole ever heal. We understand, we GET it. We live with it day to day. We, in unison, want you to know, that we believe God has him. Our hope for you is that each day you go forward, your pain of his loss will lessen. His time was short, but to all he was good. When your need is to cry for his loss remember, he is with God and sits in the Holy Court of heaven.
Like the pearl in the seashell, he leaves you with beautiful memories. Through time you will find peace, in your belief in God's benevolence. It may not be evident now, and may take time to accept. Let no feelings of despair enter your hearts. We know not God's plan. We say why now, it should have been decades from now. But God wanted Michael at his side now. We pray for him and he will be on our Intentions list until BCO no longer exists. The words below were written by one our sisters on the day that he passed. All were praying for him with the belief that God would make the right choice whether we understood it or not. Please, hold that thought in your heart, as much as you ache at his absence from your life. God loves Michael and he loves you.
With loving hearts,
The sisters of the Catholic Thread of Breastcancer.org
Anne
Betty
Ellie
Janet
Kay
Laura
Maria
Mary
Michelle
Paula
Rennasus
Sandy
Sheila
Theresa
Tori
Traci
And the countless others who come to our thread to silently pray along with us.
Apr 7, 2011 07:17 am, edited Apr 7, 2011 07:34 AM by sas-schatzi wrote:
May Michael whose time may [be] short. May he be surrounded with the light of the Holy court of Heaven. We pray that he be returned to us, in complete mind and soul and functionality, but if that is not your will, let it be. We still ask in humility that these prayers be answered. In this special time of the novena to St Joseph stepfather of Jesus. You know the pain that the child is going through. You St. Joseph know the pain of all, surrounding him. Intercede as best you can we implore you as the word of the Memorare state. AND if there were any others involved in his accident, relieve them of guilty and anxiety, stay close to them in the next weeks and months and protect them from despair and danger of self inflicted harm.
Give the family the strength to bear this. Also relieve them of guilt and anxiety. Stay with them as well in the next few months to prevent them from despair. Take away the hurt as best you can.
SAS
Diagnosis: 1/21/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-0 -
Again, I forgot to describe the card!
It's bluish gray with a gray seashell holding a blue pearl. The front says "Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind."
The inside says, "May beauty live on in your memories and bring you peace. With deepest sympathy"
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Hi Ladies..........New to this thread, but just wanted to say........19 years ago my husband died from Pancreatic cancer............he prayed every day to St. Peregrine...............He also prayed constantly to Padre Pio.............Not sure how many of you are familiar with the story of Padre Pio...............He had the stigmata...........He wore gloves bandages on his hands, and glove to cover up his wounds.......
Here is my story..........My husband was diagnosed in Dec. 1988.......(xmas day).......he had his Whipple surgery on Jan.3rd, 1989..........after a complete recovery, and going back to work (as a carpenter) he did fantastic
In Dec.1991 his tumor came back.........at that time he had much vomiting, and back pain. We weren't sure at the time if it was the cancer, but after another biopsy on March22, 1991, it was confirmed. Plus there was nothing else they could do.
My daughter was very active in the church. We lived in a small town right outside of Phila., Pa. Someone told her of a priest who had a glove with the stigmata and he would place the glove on the person's cancer area. It was kept very quiet because he did not want an influx of people knowing of this. Fearing it could get out of control.
She managed to contact him, and we were invited to the parish rectory to meet with him. We did go on a Sunday after attending Mass at his church. (a very tiny parish in a very poor area).......My husband was in extreme pain at the time, yet was still going to work everyday.........We went into the rectory, and Father spoke with us for a short time, and reviiewed the history of my husband's illness........After speaking he took this glove out of a safe.........it was wrapped very carefully, and he asked us to all concentrate on my husbands illness and pain, pray along with him.......he took the glove out of the wrapping, and placed it on my husband's stomach area, and after about5 minutes asked him "do you feel anything".......my husband said "yes I feel warmth"..........then he placed it on his back just beyond where he put it on his stomach............he kept it there and was praying over him for about another 10 minutes..................That was it, we thanked him, and we left..................On the way home, my husband said to med "I have no pain".........I said "your kidding, or is it power of suggestion"...............He said again "I have no pain"...............
In April he got a blockage, and the Dr.s said I doubt there is anything we can do........There is no surgery that is safe enough to perform on him, we will just have to let the disease take its course......of course I was devastated.........The Dr. said "I will go over the ct scans again, and again to find a way, but I'm sure there is nothing I can do..........He said he would let me know. This was a Friday, and my husband was in the hospital because he was throwing up his own feces...............I said to my daughter "this is hopeless"..She again called the Priest with the glove......He came to the hospital and again laid the glove on my husband's stomach, and prayed that Padre Pio would intercede, and find a way to take away the blockage...........................That was early Monday morning, around 9am.......................His surgeon came in around 11am, and said to me "I thought I had bad news for you this morning when I checked hi CT-scans again, but I have good news.............I can operate and bypass the blockage.............In my opinion another miracle..........................
Well he did have the surgery, that was April................he finally lost his battle in Sept 1991, but we knew he fought the good fight, and with Padre Pio by his side, he lived pain free from the first laiying of that glove, until the day he died........................We asked the Dr. "did you do anything at all to stop the pain", he said "no"..............I said "then how do you explain he was pain free after the glove"....................He said "I cannot explain that to you, Pancreatic cancer patients usually die on a Morphine drip"....."I don't know what happened with your husband, but I can just say scientifically we did nothing, but miracles do happen".
Pray to Padre Pio.............he is now a Saint.............We were asked to write a statement after my husband died explaining all that he went through, and the fact that the Dr.'s took no credit, and could not explain why he died "pain free", from Pancreatic cancer.
I know, and I still do belive..........I have a statue of Padre Pio that sits on my countertop. Pray to him, do his novena, he is wonderful, I believe.................I saw it happen
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Sisters...
Had my last radiation treatment today...
I thank our Heavenly Father for His loving care and the grace to finish active treatment..
Thank you all for prayers and encouragement...
So many are going through trials right now, and I pray you all feel the loving touch of our Heavenly Father...that you all feel comfort and healing....that you are all blessed abundantly...
Praise be to God!
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Gracie - will definitely pray for you - and you need to find some help! That's way too much for one person. Maybe you could call your parrish office and find out what volunteer services are available? You might be surprised. And sometimes a number of churches get together to volunteer - taking people to dr apptmts, meals or whatever. Now is the time to let someone help you and you actually help them because they have a calling to do that. Keep us posted.
Sagina - beautiful words.
Ducky - inspiring & amazing story - thanks so much for sharing that with us!
Theresa - thanks to you for the thoughtful card. Great news on the job offer & sounds like you're thinking it through. And have a great time on your trip!
Tori - major accomplishment!! It has been tough every step of the way. Rejoice and be healed!
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Janet, such excellent advice for Gracie, there are so many that do have that calling and are so blessed when someone calls for that help. I do some similar work and I am so happy and blessed when someone reaches out to ask for help. Thats why they sign up, please call either cancer society or local church. let us know the response.
I so understand that tired feeling, like just giving up! After my dx my 7 year old was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and it was a constant every few hours testing blood sugar giving shots and watching him. I wanted to lay down and have someone cart me away, still do some days. The only reason I made it through was my faith and prayers and the support I received from my prayers. Start small and just cross yourself and say God if you are out there, I am tired and I am giving you that today so I don't have think about it, and then feel yourself giving over that tired burden, like someone else is going to be handling it for you, then just let things take you where they may.
Please come here often so we can help.
Theresa thanks for reaching out to the family, you and Sheila, Janet, and Traci always have such comforting words!
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Yay Tori!! You did it girl!! Welcome, Ducky and thanks for the wonderful story. Theresa, congrats on the job offer--sounds like you wowed them! Now let them sweat a bit. Sagina, I read your words and they helped me. Thank you. To ALL my sisters, God bless us all! Amen
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Diamond Girl.
I am praying for your Mother and for you at this most dfficult time. I am so happy the priest was able to annoint her and for the opportunity for the family to have Holy Communion. You, your Mother, and your family will remain in my prayers.
I pray Our Lord will keep you all at peace and your Mother in comfort.
Sandy
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Diamond Girl.
I am praying for your Mother and for you at this most dfficult time. I am so happy the priest was able to annoint her and for the opportunity for the family to have Holy Communion. You, your Mother, and your family will remain in my prayers.
I pray Our Lord will keep you all at peace and your Mother in comfort.
Sandy
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Thank you sas and theresa for the card and prayer for Michael. The school will be closed Fri as Mass for christian burial will be at st leo"s and they want to give everyone th eoppurtunity to go. My son wants to attend I think my husband will take hom as I am in quite a state right now... so much happening and my daughter is really having a very difficult time right now I walk around in tears as it is I dont htink I could handle Michael funeral.... Please keep them as well as my daughter in your prayers..
Thank you sisters
Love Maria
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Maria
Please let us know how we can help with your daughter what should we be praying for, or if you prefer just a private intention for her? The stuff with our kids is the most painful.
I am thinking of you now and praying for you!
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lovingmyfamilysomuch, I'm glad the prayer found you when you needed it. Cancer has been my wake up call. I have always attended church and been part of music ministry, but now, everything is so much more beautiful, painful, joyful.....I am lucky to have had cancer, I have no doubt about God's love and mercy, nor the grace He has bestowed on me through this journey.
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Dear Sisters,
My mother has not waken up today, on round the clock morphine and scopolomine (spelling) to remove fluid from lungs plus other meds to keep her comfortable. Her breathing tonight (with oxygen) is at 7 per minute. Her doctor came again and spent 20mins in her room with me. The end is coming near and I want to thank you all who prayed for me and for my mom's smooth passage. Because she is in a Cahtolic nursing home, another priest (who is a resident here) came and we did the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. In fact my sisters and I did it twice earlier in the day. There are 5 girls in the family and one of my sisters and I will stay overnight.
I want to welcome the new ladies on this thread, you've found a friendly and kind group of ladies here. We are all sisters of God.
I am thinking of all of you. Thank you so much for your support, it is very hard to keep the chin up.
In prayers....Namaste!
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Praying for you diamondgirl, and your mom and family. I hope peace comes to her and as her body relaxes from this earth you know her soul is at eternal rest. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
~gina
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Praying for your mom and family Paula. And you and your daughter Maria. And your recovery Janet and Traci. And everyone's intentions.
Congratulations Tori! You did it!
Thank you for that story Ducky. I am near Phila. as well and knew someone who was also being touched with Padre Pio's glove. That was a little later about 1995 maybe. I worked with his mother. He was just 30 and had brain cancer. He was away from the church and his mother's prayer's were answered and he returned. I know they believe that much help came from Padre Pio.
Please keep my bil in your prayers. He is not doing too well. His family lives in Calif. and my sister is planning to go there with their kids next week over spring break. I am sure he will really enjoy it, but of course she is worried something will happen. Doctors didn't say it was okay or not okay to make the trip. Pray it works out and they have a beautiful visit with family and come home safely.
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Maria, we are ready to listen if you need to talk! xo
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Paula
Praying for you and your Mother today. I am sure you are so exhausted with all of the emotion and worry. Please care for your self too.
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Maria,
Your daughter and your whole family are in my prayers today and will remain there. I know this is such a difficult time for you and I pray you, your daughter, and your family will have the strength you need right at the moment you need it. I pray you also have a peaceful and restful day.
Sandy
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