Tag: faith

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’ve received piles of get well cards and letters. People share their own struggles to overcome, offer prayers and hope, advice and recipes, cartoons and pictures, prayer books and medals, and even some original art work.

Monday, April 5, 2010

When Brother Clay left this morning, he made sure I had the large box with my mail from the past three weeks.

Again, I’ve received piles of get well cards and letters. People share their own struggles to overcome, offer prayers and hope, advice and recipes, cartoons and pictures, prayer books and medals, and even some original art work.

I was torn between reading through them and watching the White Sox opening day on TV. So, I did both.

Baseball is a leisurely game, and doesn’t require constant attention, so I sat down in the common room with my box and started reading. When the game got exciting, I paid closer attention, and during the lulls, I read a few more notes.

Some were from names I recognized right away, but many shared this common sentiment – “although we’ve never met, through your letters I feel like we’re old friends and I just wanted you to know we’re thinking of you …”

There are so many folks who, over the years, have been such a blessing to St. Joseph’s and now are a real blessing to me.

I had the first seven innings to myself and the letters. The last two innings, I was joined by a couple of other sports fans who came back from their treatments; the talk turned more to baseball and a little to sharing our medical stories.

My team won, and it was a lovely way to spend a good part of the afternoon.

Fr. Steve’s updates

This year’s Holy Week has been so different for me, not having to prepare any homilies or lead services. Instead, I con-celebrated mass this morning at the local parish, where there was uplifting music and a good spirit among the overflowing crowd.

Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter

This year’s Holy Week has been so different for me, not having to prepare any homilies or lead services. Instead, I con-celebrated mass this morning at the local parish, where there was uplifting music and a good spirit among the overflowing crowd.

The pastor introduced me and told folks that I was here for cancer treatments. Standing in the doorway afterward to shake hands and wish folks a happy Easter, countless folks came up and offered their prayers and support. Some told me briefly of their being survivors. All urged me to have faith and courage. And, the experience of prayer and community increased my faith and courage.

I’ve been told it’s important not to lose much weight before surgery, and having two Easter dinners probably has me looking to gain rather than lose over the weekend!

Right after church, Brother Clay and I went to a downtown hotel for a lovely Easter brunch. In the evening, some of the Franciscan sisters invited me over for dinner. One sister, who was in novitiate during World War II (she has just a few more years of religious life than me!) recalled how disappointing it was that they couldn’t initially receive their profession cross because silver was rationed at that time! But with 65+ years as a sister, I think her vows definitely took.

Fr. Steve’s updates

There’s comfort in walking a journey that others have taken as well. Robin had surgery some time ago and spoke highly of the surgeon that will also be operating on me.

Friday, April 2, 2010

When I went downstairs to the common room to read the morning paper and have a cup of tea, I met a couple – Robin and Gary – who just arrived at Hope Lodge this week. After talking about what we do and where we’re from, we compared cancer stories.

Robin also has sarcoma, and it’s the first time either of us has met a kindred soul sharing this disease. There’s comfort in walking a journey that others have taken as well. Robin had surgery some time ago and spoke highly of the surgeon that will also be operating on me.

Good Friday services took on new meaning for me.

I often have a hard time getting into the suffering and agony part. Like most of us, it’s part of life I don’t much like to think about.

This year is different for me because my illness has opened my eyes wider to the reality of suffering that so many people face on a daily basis. The cross is more real as well. The whole point is to take our burdens to the cross in prayer and find the strength to daily pick up our cross and courageously walk with it, through it, and even in spite of it, in faith.

Brother Clay arrived this afternoon for a visit. He caught me up on the people and events at school, and we shared a movie and evening meal. I appreciated his company.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Today was my regular radiation and some blood work to see how my blood cell counts are holding up. I didn’t even need a jacket today as the temperatures climbed into the upper 70s. I walked for almost an hour after the doctors got done with me.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Today was my regular radiation and some blood work to see how my blood cell counts are holding up.

I didn’t even need a jacket today as the temperatures climbed into the upper 70s. I walked for almost an hour after the doctors got done with me.

As I walked by the radiation building, I heard “Hey, Steve!” and at first, I thought it must be someone else. But, it was Gail from my hometown who was on break and came out for fresh air. We walked a few blocks together before she had to get back.

I stopped to browse in a book store. When I do, I get both excited (thinking about all the subjects I would love to learn more about) and discouraged (so many books, so little time!). But I did come home and spend time with the books I already brought, reading some theology, history, child care journals and a work on improving my management skills.

It’s a big help to have a book going when I’m waiting on an appointment or just feeling bored. The drain for me right now is more emotional than physical. Going through treatments day after day takes a toll on your psyche, even when the body is feeling OK.

Fr. Steve’s updates

But, especially as a parish priest, I found that every person has some unique and fascinating experiences of life and stories to tell.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Because this clinic and hospital is so well known for research and having the latest treatments available, many people arrive after surgeries or treatments elsewhere have not worked fully. Newcomers also arrive because they are in need of specialists. Some of my fellow residents have been battling cancer for many years.

I find myself grateful to my local doctor who found my cancer when he did before it started causing the major problems that so many others have had to deal with. From the beginning, my sarcoma has involved the specialists who frequently deal with that specific disease.

Tonight was pot luck and, just like in the parishes, the tables were filled with scrumptious dishes of great variety. But, the food is secondary to the interesting cast of characters the meal brings together.

One resident I talked to built a 14 ton sailboat by himself! He and his wife have spent several summers sailing to Europe and back – usually 3 weeks just crossing the Atlantic. There’s a man who loves adventure!

But, especially as a parish priest, I found that every person has some unique and fascinating experiences of life and stories to tell.

Fr. Steve’s updates

One week of radiation down and four to go! Getting well from this cancer is not a sprint, but more like a marathon that requires the discipline of a steady pace.

Friday, March 26, 2010

For lunch the local community of Franciscan Sisters invited me to their place.

Asissi Heights houses their retirement community, administration, retreat center and much more. I met one sister who was 102 and was so impressed thinking of all those years of dedicated service to God’s people by these women of faith.

I was impressed to learn of their history in helping found the Clinic and of the many great works they are involved in today to help serve God’s people.

The clinic schedules early appointments on Fridays for those who are heading home for the weekend. Since it’s a six hour trip for me, I won’t go home that often, so I didn’t have treatment until this afternoon.

One week of radiation down and four to go!

Fr. Bernie keeps reminding me to “hang tough.” Getting well from this cancer is not a sprint, but more like a marathon that requires the discipline of a steady pace.

A group of nursing students visited Hope Lodge and brought a tasty variety of breads and soups for supper. They volunteer once a month and brought good cheer to our space. Many residents have already gone home for the weekend and will return Monday. But there are plenty who stay because they live too far away or are too weak to comfortably travel.

Some folks have treatments throughout the weekend. Though our group at supper was small, the time with these generous volunteers was most appreciated.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Surgery is still needed because of the size. My body can’t get rid of all of it without some major help. But, we are winning the initial battles.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

My radiologist met with me today to review what’s been happening with the tumor. She is very encouraged by last week’s MRI that is already showing shrinkage. It’s hoped the radiation will continue to kill off more of the cells.

Surgery is still needed because of the size. My body can’t get rid of all of it without some major help. But, we are winning the initial battles.

I see some residents frequently, especially the ones with whom I share a kitchen and section of dining room. As we get to know each other better, it’s relaxing to share a cup of tea or talk over a sandwich. We support and encourage one another.

A good friend from Chicago, Fr. Jerry, arrived this afternoon to spend a couple of days. I so look forward to having the chance to share the highs and lows with someone who has been part of my life journey for a long time and knows me well.

Fr. Steve’s updates

In this Lenten season, we continually hear the call to overcome temptation. Difficulties and setbacks can weigh us down and push us toward giving up hope and sinking low. But, blessing and good news are just a prayer away when we trust and ask for help when life starts to feel burdensome.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

After radiology, my technician spoke of some of the pitfalls of this treatment. You’re away from home and out of your normal routine. You don’t have your usual support system and familiar environment. At times, you get fatigued from the medicine and feel very bored.

My technician told me it’s important to acknowledge all that and ask for help when it starts to weigh you down.

In this Lenten season, we continually hear the call to overcome temptation. Difficulties and setbacks can weigh us down and push us toward giving up hope and sinking low. But, blessing and good news are just a prayer away when we trust and ask for help when life starts to feel burdensome.

Tonight, the Lodge held a pot luck, and I cooked up some chicken and vegetable soup that went over OK. The dinner provided a good excuse for everyone to come to the dining area at the same time to offer some support and get to know one another. Folks come from such a variety of backgrounds and from all over.

I’m a people person and enjoyed hearing so many different stories from all walks of life.

After supper, a group of young girls from a local Brownie troop stopped by to offer us Girl Scout Cookies and spend some time cheering everyone up.

Fr. Steve’s updates

At church today, two Gospel Readings from Lazarus struck me in a powerful new way, with a lot of hope.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

At church today, two Gospel Readings from Lazarus struck me in a powerful new way, with a lot of hope.

“This Illness is not to end in death; rather it is for God’s Glory.”

My constant prayer through this whole ordeal has been that the journey leads me closer to God and that each day of life God gives me on earth, be it one day or 50 years, serves to give God glory.

Today, I visited Kent and his family, former parishioners from my days in Dupree, SD. Kent had cancer surgery and is in recovery. We mutually encouraged one another. It was fun to catch up with his family and find out what many of the people I remember and think about are up to.

Tonight, the local pastor invited me over to supper where a group of 10 priests gathered for their monthly time of fellowship and faith sharing. I so appreciated the welcome and camaraderie.

Priests, as a whole, are an interesting lot. The writer Tim Unsworth describes us as having the training of a doctor or lawyer, but walking the streets with people like a beat cop – being there with folks during the high and low points of their life.

The men I was with tonight had a passion for their work and people. The main topic of conversation when priests get together these days is wondering who in the next generation will hear the call as priests, brothers and sisters and continue on this fulfilling work.