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  • iamloved
    iamloved Member Posts: 197
    edited December 2018

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

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  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    love love love

    All the new posts.

    Thankyou sisters!

    Beautiful prayer, candle and musica bellisimo.

    I will add something to our advent goodies.

    Rendition of Our Father that brought the Pope to tears.


  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2018

    Blessings to all of you this Advent! The stories, music and prayers shared do touch my heart. Advent is my favourite season. I particularly love the week before Christmas, where we have the "O Antiphons" at Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours. They are some of the most beautiful words I've ever seen.

    You are all in my prayers. I have strangely started to get pain in my affected breast again, and there's a definite hard lump there. I don't know if this is just normal healing pain, I have read that such lumps do happen and normally heal on their own. I'm just monitoring it for now...and preparing for my second interview (for same prospective employer) on Thursday! I have a very good feeling and know this job would be a wonderful gift. It is a role that combines my love of God and love of people and, well, that's pretty much the best ever as far as I'm concerned. I am just praying that whatever I do may bring the people around me, and me, closer to God.


  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

    Sparrowhawk, best wishes for Thursday as we trust in the promise "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him"

    Don't be afraid to contact the appropriate health professsional (don't know your healthcare system, here it would be the breast surgeon's secretary) to report any symptoms and check that they are a normal part of good healing. You should get a call back just to reassure you, or to ask you to come in if they think it needs to be seen. I got a rash about 10 days after being discharged, not pain. Rang the office, got the call to come in straight away and was given a script for two lump-hammer antibiotics which knocked it on the head straight away. If in any doubt that this is something you were warned to expoect, don't be afraid to call them. XXX

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

    Astrid, thank you so much. That haunting aramaic chant was shown in the film Pope Francis a Man of His Word. So pleased to see it again. Absolutely uttered from the heart and soul of the singer, a Fr, Seraphim.

    The Pope Francis film is now out on DVD, at least here it is, dont know dates for rest of world, Am waiting to get paid so as to purchase Loopy

    We are going to have a parish screening, after Christmas, and I promised to supply the DVD, PP is going to hire the big screen. Nerdy

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    wonderful FF.

    I will make sure to watch it.

    Sparrowhawk, your potential new job sounds beautiful.

    No doubt you are the perfect person for it too.

    I'm off to a place called The Abbey a few hours away on Raymond Island in Victoria. They have accomodation there and a day long advent retreat on Luke with some excellent theologian scholars speaking.

    Will be so nice to get out of town.


    Fr Seraphim yes...God gifted him such a magnificent voice didn't he. I would love to hear him sing live one day.



  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2018

    I was reading a while ago and thought it could have been a seroma (I've had firmness since the surgery but was told it was normal). Instinctively, I feel I should go back to my GP, maybe also to get a second professional opinion on follow-up screenings as my surgeon told me one thing but everything else I have read says another. Plus I do want to thank my GP in person for all she did. She was very determined!

    The film on Pope Francis sounds great! Will keep an eye out.

    Thank you for your wishes regarding the job. It is a pastoral care role in aged care. I honestly never thought that was what I would do, but here I am! I so love the work and the people. The hardest thing will be going from my current facility, which has a pastoral care team, to this new one where I will be on my own (but the CEO is absolutely capital and I think she will be a great support). And I'm never really alone because I carry Jesus with me...and actually, He is there already waiting for me! It will also be hard to leave the residents I know and love.

    It's all in the hands of the Lord who knows all 😊

    Astrid, I wish you a wonderful day with the Lord! Know you are in my prayers.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited December 2018

    Looks like a great opportunity, and probably bringing back more money to your community.

    By all means see your physician

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    yes, sparrowhawk, don't delay getting this checked. It could be natural or it might be infection... so please, pronto! Hug

    No doubt you will shine your beautiful light wherever you are and whatever you do. Is this facility run by your Order or another Catholic group?

  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2018

    Thank you! Pain is a little less but still hanging about... I will visit my GP.

    I currently volunteer two days a week in a facility sponsored by my congregation. The job for which I am applying is at a different facility not too far away. It's not affiliated with any congregation, but is Catholic so coordinated by the diocese. There's also a church on site and a chaplain (it was created for a specific ethnic group but is open to all, of course). Honestly I love it and would be privileged to work there. Just need to wait and see...and pray! I am asking the help of St Joseph, who is so dear to my heart.


  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2018

    Dear ladies, I ask for your prayers. I am back to blood tests and ultrasound. The doc felt my lump and said it's mobile.

    P.s. I wasn't successful with the job but I was praying they would appoint the best person for the job and I trust they did. Simply having two interviews was tremendous. I just need to keep looking!

    You are all in my prayer, especially as we await the coming of Jesus. Veni, Emmanuel!

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    of course sparrowhawk

    You are in my prayers

    No doubt at all that you are firmly in God's hands with both your health and your next job.

    Many blessings be upon you through Advent and Christmas.

    🕊💖🕯🔔🌹⛪


  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635
    edited December 2018

    Ugh, sparrowhawk. I'm sorry to hear that you're getting more tests but am glad that your doctors are being thorough.

    Many prayers coming your way regarding your health and your future prospects!

    ((Hugs))

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited December 2018

    And prayers from here, too, sparrowhawk! And for your job search, too.

    I had three reasons to get my last drain pulled this morning-- no, four:

    1. A month minus two days is long enough.

    2. I start chemo next week.

    3. Three days in a row with less than 20 ml.

    4. An OT appt this noon to address pain and range of motion issues (does that nasty tube have anything to do with it?).

    Answer to #4: somewhat, is improved.

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

    Sparrowhawk you can be sure of prayers. You are right that if you prayed for the best outcome in relation to the position then that is what is taking place. God has something wonderful for you Heart


    Decided to make a special Christmas tee. (Was pondering whether in fact I have become the Grinch in relation to secular Chritstmas and need to make my heart a bit bigger)

    image

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    F.F. another fabulous creation from you. I know what you mean...

    The ugliness of 'selling Christmas' abounds. I try to block it out. I guess here in Oz I always feel the Holy Spirit more closely through Advent..and it seems to generate a lot of warmth in people...religous or not. We don't have Thanksgiving here but I guess our Christmas for non believers would be a lot like that. A spirit of kinship and family celebration and thankfullness.

    How are you doing sparrowhawk? In my prayers I noticed Mary has you held very close right now.🕊💖

    (Do my symbols show ok on your computers? Just wondering.)

    MC..thoughts are with you. You have been through a lot! And more to come. You may have cording issues in your arm as can happen with node removal. I hope not as you mention it is improving. Cording is very painful and requires massage from a specialist. If it is any comfort, I got full range of motion back in my left arm after months of treatment for it. (Hopefully it isn't that. But do get on to it asap.

    Blessings to all.

    Heart

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited December 2018

    Yes, she massaged it and just from that one session it is much better. Plus I have to double up on exercising it and stretching. The tracer for the SNB lit up five nodes, they had no choice but to take five. The hole from the drain is still weeping. She calls the cording "axial webbing". She took a course on it last spring and I am her first patient with the problem. She is tickled pink, especially since I had gotten help from her several years ago for another problem.

    My PS was just on TV!!

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    really glad you are on to it and have upped the stretching etc. So important. Smile

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited December 2018

    Yes-- I see you have been through a lot with LE,too.

  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2018

    Thanks all. I had my blood test today, have US booked for Monday and follow-up with doctor on Friday. While the collector was taking my blood, he asked, "How long have you been a Catholic?" I wear religious garb, so it's quite easy to tell I am a sister. He (also Catholic) shared some personal things with me and it just made feel once again so grateful and blessed to be living this life and to have people feel comfortable enough to share their lives with me.

    I am doing well. I'm getting pain which is a bit different from the normal 'zing' which I've been getting and which I'm sure is nerves growing back. I still can't lie properly on my side. It is a little concerning because my pain went quite quickly after surgery and I was feeling really good until about a week ago.

    FF, I love your shirt! Advent is my favourite time of year, and the secularisation of Christmas kind of gets to me. But it is beautiful to see how people do come together to share love and kindness.

    Astrid, this year I have felt the presence of our Blessed Mother in so many ways. I am asking to be closer to her more and more. Your symbols are beautiful!

    MC, you are in my prayers as you continue to heal. Sending love to you and all.

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

    MC and Sparrowhawk prayers and best wishes for your healing.

    You are on the right path MC I am sure. The exercises after lymph node removal really help. Definitely a time when you actually see tangible results from exercising Winking

    Sparrowhawk so nice your phlebotomist hailed you as a fellow Catholic. Had a similar experience with a vet recently, one of my cats had to go a specialist for a heart scan. I was NOT in a habit but had a "welcome Pope Francis" tee shirt on and the vet struck up a conversation which was really nice and Ireland has recently grown into what sometimes feels just a hop, skip and a jump away from throwing Christians to the lions so giving each other "the sign of the fish" is so much appreciated.

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

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  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    beautiful.

    Amen.image

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited December 2018

    You may think Ireland is a difficult place to be Catholic. Shocked


    I had to go looking, but I found this:

    http://catholicbibleinayear.org/daily-scripture-reading-schedule/ I will have to explore it more, but I think it co-ordinates with the daily Mass readings.

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited December 2018

    Nerdy Thanks MC Heart


    Lovely little story I just read from Fr. Bernard Cotter in this weeks Irish Catholic Newspaper:

    "The best homily I ever heard at Christmas was a story of an atheist who refused to go to Midnight Mass. Out in the barn he discovered a bird trapped and found it hard to help the bird to safety. He shooed, he cajoled, he tried every way to show the bird how to get back out into the night. It struck him that the only way to persuade the bird would be if he could become a bird.

    It was then the bells rang out for midnight Mass, and the penny dropped: Christ had to become one of us to show us the way out also!"

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2018

    lovely story.

    MC

    I love the prayer for before reading the bible from that website you posted.


    A Prayer Before Reading Scripture


    Before starting your daily readings, begin with prayer. Otherwise, we are treating the Bible as if it was only a human document. The God who gave us Sacred Scripture must open our understanding to comprehend it, and our wills to believe it — and to obey it.

    I like the prayer of St. John Chrysostom:

    O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart that I may hear your word,

    and understand and do your will, for I am a sojourner upon the Earth.

    Hide not your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of your Law.

    Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of your wisdon.

    On you do I set my hope, O my God, that you shall enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge; not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them;

    That in reading the lives and sayings of the Saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting.

    For you are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from you comes every good deed and every gift. Amen.

      © 2018 Catholic Bible In A Year

    • sparrowhawk
      sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
      edited December 2018

      Great story, FF! I love it!

      MC, that is a really useful website! The readings for each day don't coordinate with the Mass readings. It looks like they have taken readings from front to back of the Bible.

      I hope your days before Christmas are as peaceful as can be... Today I had my US -- very painful when the technician was going over the wound and lump. But it's done and I will be back to the doctor on Friday!