I've just heard from my aunt in Southern California, my cousin Derek, a 21yr old., has been shot. He was home from University Santa Barbara, and has been mixing with some bad types. He was out all night, took something (drug) and was trying to "visit" a friend he went to grade school with, banging on the door for 45 mins or so. He then went to another friend's home and tried to break in when he couldn't get the desired response, it was then that he was shot. The bullet missed the vital organs and is lodged behind the ribs. He's awaiting surgery. He's been arrested and because he's in custody, his parents can't see him.He's a strong young man, is alert and responding well and with the grace of God will come through this well. Please if you will pray for Derek's recovery of course, and for his parents and my aunt. I think truly what is needed here is heart, mind and soul conversion. It may sound funny, I don't mean to seem cold, but i so believe in Divine Providence that I can't help but think God is afoot here and I pray they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Thank you my dear ones, I know by your faithfulness that you'll lift this all to the heavens. Gail.
Thank you all for your support in prayer. As more information comes out I'm learning that the healing of the body will be the easy part, the mind and heart are a different matter. Prayer changes every thing. Thank you.
Oh I need more help here, boy do I. I just spoke with my aunt, who now is suffering from a fracture in her back, is on oxygen for her heart and doesn't know how to pray! Lord have mercy! Derek has been moved to a jail facility. . . a very nasty jail facility in LA. He is extremely paranoid and has been told the only way for him to recover( from this psychotic imbalance ) is to take the medication prescribed. Unfortunately, he refuses. There is a wound also that is being neglected. Evidently he's not only imbalanced but exceedingly stubborn to boot. This is not a good combination at all. I don't even know how to pray for this except to ask for a supernatural intervention. There are so many people who are in need of a touch from God these circumstances could be such a beautiful platform for just that. I prayed with my aunt on the phone and saw a peace come in but it will be fleeting unless there's a desire to really Cling to the Rock. Please help me pray, please ask Our Lady for her Wisdom and Grace to come to these hearts. Hail Mary full of grace ...
OH my! How in the world did she fracture her back? Let us send our angels to Derek to bring him some peace so he can understand he has to take care of himself if he wants to get better. This is odd to say, but could his mother's injury be used as a tool to help persuade him to work toward getting better? She needs him now...that kind of thing. I will pray for this situation, that it will play out according to God's plan, whatever that is. As we know, sometimes his plan is hard to see through the fog of our weak eyes.
I will pray for them both at Mass this morning, Gail. I don't know if its any consolation but Crosses are often a doorway into the Sacred Heart. I am not surprised that the Church made visiting people in prison one of the main Works of Mercy.
When I mentioned that they might ask their parish priest to go visit Derek. They kicked up dust saying they had a friend of a friend who had found the Lord and maybe that person could go. I reminded them that their priest had been ordained, had Holy Orders, Holy Hands and the power of Mother Church and that his authority over the dark one would be great. I'm waiting to see what the response is. At this point they need someone to take the Light into that darkness.
I've been praying about this and I've come to understand that they, the members of the family have placed this boy, this young man, in a position of worship. They have cast out God and made this poor lad their god. When I went down to visit weeks ago I was passing by the arcade, an area between the house and the maid's quarters, where I staid. In the corner, covered up with plastic bins, bags and a microwave was an incredibly beautiful, my guess is Spanish, Crucifix. IT STOPED ME IN MY TRACKS. I first thought I was seeing things because it was like a bird being caught in an oil slick, almost unrecognizable. But there it was this magnificent 4-5 foot Crucifix. Without wanting to seem arrogant, or pushy, I moved as much debris as possible away from it and prayed in front of it. It's haunted me sense. It wasn't until yesterday that I got the full impact of it. Everything has come before Christ, everything has become much more important and He's trying to get their attention. Padraig you were dead on when you said that heavy Crosses often bring you straight to the Sacred Heart. Please, dear God, I pray for all their sakes that this does exactly that. That the blindfolds of their minds and hearts are lifted and they once again place you above all else.
I'll pray for God's intervention. How sad that they are so removed. They need our prayers, as often such persons have very few that will know how to pray for them. You are their Light and their connection to God. We'll back you up with our prayers. Kath
