Well over a year ago, I had formed a close relationship with one of the residents at the nursing home and his wife. John has died from covid-19, but I was able to visit him in the hospital twice before he passed. Well, the family had a reunion up in the Syracuse, NY, this weekend; Geralyn and I were invited because of the ties I have had with the family. It is so beautiful to see extended family so close and supportive of each other. But I feel the person-to-person connection with Nina, John's wife, is at an end. Also, this weekend, a wonderful resident who I've known for three years most probably will have died when I return to his unit tomorrow. Bob was respectful, complimentary toward all, just a sweet guy. I prayed at bedside for him yesterday, but he fell twice last week and looked like he had aged 10 years overnight. When I was with him, he was unresponsive. He had received the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum last Wednesday. I will sorely miss him. I experience these types of scenarios as very draining; I'm spent. Please say a prayer that Lord will revitalize me and help me to respond with love and encouragement for those to whom I minister! Thanks!
You are Blessed! God has put you where he needs you and your ministry is such a comfort to others. The beatitudes my friend. Such a calling . . .
Prayers Mario, may you be re-energized spiritually, physically and mentally to endure the tasks our Heavenly Father places before you.
Terry , I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to face death and illness so often. The losses when you come to know these patients must be very hard. I will keep you in pray. Peace. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Prayers for you and yours Terry. I will offer up mass this morning to Our Blessed Lady. Apart really from this forum I have never had any Apostolate or active Ministry. I thought maybe when I started it it would be hard uphill work. But it worked out the other way around, instead of me carrying the forum, the forum carries me. I find in my own life time apart with God is so important. I did this with camping, which I try to do in some lonely spot once a month. It gives time , not for God to talk but for me to listen. God is always, always talking. I also find when people I had some kind of relationship die it doesn't end there, the relationship is really just starting. The deeper the relationship in life, the deeper in death. I find after the die a lot of the barriers in life fall away. They are now in the fullness of light and life and so they appear in a new and fresher light. We really and truly are a , 'Communion of Saints'.
There is one thing that has helped me down the years when I felt tried and that was to regard my physical state. Was I tired, had I been sleeping well? Was I unwell? very foten in fact most often it was down to my physical state which was simple enough to remedy. But taking a step back and taking a drones eye view of things was a good thing to do. Other people who know me best are good for this too..like a Spiritual Director. Life is so very passing...
Terry, I will pray for you. You have a beautiful ministry. I agree with Pádraig, you may need to take a bit of time out and recharge. At the end of the day you are doing God's work and He may want to take you aside for a while and take your rest.
God has really blessed you with such an active role in His work Mario. My prayers are of course with you always but I am always taken back by your willingness to be carried by Him wherever He needs you. Fertile ground friend.
It takes a special kind of person to do that kind of ministry. That's why God called you to labour in the vineyard. Your generosity of heart makes this world a better place. Be assured of my prayers.
Ah Terry I beg our heavenly sister to lift your spirits... As my grandmother always said God fits the back for the burden. When I read your post I instantly thought of the song she moves through the fair.. I imagine that you like her moves through the hardness of life consoling people in times of distress, you unknowingly touch the people you meet with Christ's graces which he has so kindly lent to you. I feel Christ is reminding you to stay strong as you move through the fair and guarantees you as in that wonderful canticle the bride and bride groom that indeed it won't be long love till our wedding day
Only just seeing this now. Be assured of my prayers. Especially at Mass this morning. "Who cares for the care giver?" Padraig gives good advice to take care of your physical self right now. You have been juggling a lot of stress with this hideous mandate and ministering to the sick and dying depletes spiritual reserves. Take some time "away" for yourself. Rest. Recharge. Your ministry is so needed that you must take good care of yourself to be able to sustain it. Prayers going up.
I can relate to your post Mario, these times are so tough morally, spiritually. That's part of Satan's plan, to wear us all down. I'll share what I've been reflecting on lately. I was reading about the recent death of Damian Stayne's wife Cathy and was struck by the message of joy that was in it. Here is what he wrote (I've bolded passages): "Dear Friends, Our beautiful, loving, joyful Cathy went peacefully in her sleep to be with her beloved Jesus and all of heaven at 2.14am today, the feast of her favourite saint Saint Teresa of Avila. We had 3 days of near ceaseless prayer around her in a private room in the hospital, where each of us (Me, my son John and Ola his wife, my daughter Miryam and Juan her long term boy friend) were able to share with her our deep love. We felt supported by you and thousands of people from all over the world who were praying for Cath and us. At her passing into glory John and Ola, Miryam and Juan and myself had an experience of a corporate grace of joy fall upon us and rose and praised God with loud voices for the victory of Cath's life and for her entry into glory. Thank you for all your love and heartfelt prayers. We are born for glory and Cath rejoices now in her great reward. When I asked her, after arriving at hospital early Wednesday morning, (when she was already really struggling to speak), "Cath if this were your last chance to say something to us, what would it be? She answered with great conviction 'I love Jesus!' " Now she is reigning with Jesus in glory, transfigured by divine love in unfathomable joy. She is closer to us than ever before, on call for prayers and help with her amazing charism for answered prayers, which is now accessible to everyone! While we will miss her physical presence with us, she is more available to us than ever before. Now her great work for us and the Church truly begins. Alleluia!" I've heard of this sort of thing before from others "born again" (who have received the Holy Spirit). Someone once shared that she felt an overwhelming sense of joy after her father passed away which was felt by others in the room too. A cleaning lady who came into the house came in to see what was going on and exclaimed "there is so much joy here - what has happened?" - the joy fell on others too. It makes me think of the warning and living in the DW - and to pray more for that Grace so we can live the spiritual reality of physical separation from loved ones. I mean we believe that they are actually doing more for us in Heaven and we gain strong intercessors so somehow we have to ask to be strengthened in faith in this area. I haven't experienced this joy (but would love to) and it's a struggle for me too these days when I've often felt like just throwing in the towel. I just hope this can help renew strength.
You can, Andre. The Holy Spirit is ever ready to pour out His joyful Love in your heart. It is not earned, it is not deserved, it is not for a privileged few. Simply ask for it daily, and wait on the Lord, for JOY is simply the certitude of Jesus' unfailing love for you. I will pray that the Lord grant you such abiding Joy! Persevere and be expectant. Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.
Praying for you Mario. May God bless you abundantly for the work you do. And for your inspiring messages and wisdom on MOG.
