Tag: prayer

Fr. Steve’s updates

Fr. Anthony and catechists have been working with this group of students all year to prepare them. They were both ready and excited. Bolstered by the families of the children who received sacraments of initiation, the church was full.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Today, we had a joyful celebration at church – 11 baptisms and 21 first communions!

Fr. Anthony and catechists have been working with this group of students all year to prepare them. They were both ready and excited. Bolstered by the families of the children who received sacraments of initiation, the church was full.

After the round of photos, I heard one youngster remark there were so many flashing bulbs they felt like a Hollywood star. Our dining hall staff prepared a delicious dinner for everyone to share afterwards.

It was my privilege to be at the baptismal font, scooping water over their heads with both hands. Besides making sure they clearly heard the words, I made sure they’d remember getting good and wet!

We hope the spiritual side of our programs helps give these young people an anchor for the future. When times get tough in life, I pray they will have God’s strength to call and draw upon.

Fisher & Stevens Homes had a cookout this evening and invited me to join them.

The constant South Dakota wind announced her presence by blowing our plates around as soon as hot dogs and BBQ were no longer there to weigh them down. Sitting around the picnic tables and talking with students and staff felt relaxing and familiar.

When I’m away, I miss those moments!

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

I grew up in Indiana, and seeing Butler’s improbable run to the championship game has been exciting. It continues the tradition and history we fondly call Hoosier Hysteria.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

I’m a person of many lists, and usually, before turning in each night, I make a list of what I want to accomplish the next day. I seldom get everything on the list done, but writing goals down helps me make progress and keep my eye on what is needed.

But, today was a wide open day, with no treatments or appointments, and no list. I took it easy, read quite a bit and went to a mall to buy a new pair of walking shoes. Then, proceeded to put a few miles on them.

I am noticing more tiredness from the radiation. Some days it’s hard to coax myself out of bed. Today, it was nice not to have to get out of bed until the tiredness was off of me.

I also got several phone calls from family and friends, knowing I’d be busy on Easter, and wanting to touch base and offer prayers and support, which means so much.

Tonight, the basketball fan in me had to watch the NCAA tournament with a few other sports fans who congregated around the common TV. I grew up in Indiana, and seeing Butler’s improbable run to the championship game has been exciting. It continues the tradition and history we fondly call Hoosier Hysteria.

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

While I’m lying on the table receiving radiation, I’ve found myself using those 15 minutes for prayer. Some are petitions as I think about family and friends who need strength to face their own struggles. Some are just moments of thanks for the blessings that come my way each day.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

While I’m lying on the table receiving radiation, I’ve found myself using those 15 minutes for prayer. Some are memorized prayers I’ve said since I was a child. Some are petitions as I think about family and friends who need strength to face their own struggles. Some are just moments of thanks for the blessings that come my way each day.

And, I pray for healing. Instead of the treatments increasing my anxiety level, I come away refreshed and blessed.

Tonight for Holy Thursday, I con-celebrated mass at the local parish. Sometimes it’s difficult to find people willing to get their feet washed, but here many folks eagerly participated. That ritual does inspire in me compassion and renews God’s call to service.

This community attracts people from all over the world, and the prayer intentions reflected that. Parish members offered their petitions in English, Arabic, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Lingala, Gaelic and Spanish. Despite our differences, we’re all united as members of God’s family.

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

This morning, I prayed and did a fair amount of spiritual reading. The challenge is to do that consistently, even on days when I don’t feel reflective, because it helps keep me going through the hard times.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Some days are very quiet and if I want, I can use the time almost like a retreat.

This morning, I prayed and did a fair amount of spiritual reading. The challenge is to do that consistently, even on days when I don’t feel reflective, because it helps keep me going through the hard times.

My dad’s cousin Julie lives just an hour and a half away. With no treatments, I hit the road and had no problems traveling.

After a delicious home-cooked meal, we spent time in their rec room with a CD of her nephew Neil singing Irish music in the background. Every nook and cranny of the walls are full of memorabilia leading to stories – the picture of her brother’s naval ship from the time everyone surprised him at port for his birthday, the trip to the Oslo Olympics to see our cousin speed skate, the autographed baseball from a visit to Chicago … many family stories are so good you want to regularly hear them again, and the laughter left me feeling wonderfully blessed.

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

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.