B
Bl_Pope_Pius_IX
Guest
Over the past year or so, Brother John has been suffering from a cancerous tumor, I believe it is of the brain. We have been praying fervently for his recovery, and he has been in good spirits. He has been trying to be active but is very limited in his capabilities. When I began as an Altar Server, I was a newly baptized Catholic, roughly 13 or 14. I had constantly seen Brother John, and he was often at the mass I served. Pastors came and went, sacristans came and went, Parochial assistants came and went, but Brother John has been at the Parish for years. He has been loved and cherished by all of us due to his enormous charity and compassion. While at times he frustrated me for being so meticulous, or refusing to let me kneel to receive Communion while up on the Altar, he was still very much a positive figure in the Parish.
As I mentioned previously, good Brother John had been diagnosed with cancer, and immediately went to do battle. It has been well over a year now, I think. When he returned from Pennsylvania, visiting family, I saw him for the first time since before the Pastor announced it in his homily. He was tired. He had lost his hair and was wearing a black zucchetto. He walked as if he was already a ghost.
I had moved away from the Parish and was leaving a few towns over, but continued my duties as an Altar Server. I tried to “resign” but the director of the Altar Servers didn’t let me so I continued. I was serving less and less, roughly once a month. I barely see Brother John any more.
Today I had to drop off some forms at the Friary. Lo and behold, good Brother John answered the door. While he was looking better than before, he was still tired. The forms I had to drop off were CORI forms, so he helped me fill in some spots I missed. After I sealed the envelope, and left it on his desk, he told me that on the fifth of September, he would be transferred to the Monastery at Villanova. Now, I recall that our last parochial assistant was moved to Villanova as well, so I was thinking Brother John would be happy with this. Further more, Brother John has family not far from Villanova, so I thought he would be even happier. Nope. He cried. He was heart broken. The Parish he had been in for years, would now be miles away. I shook his hand, but felt it was more appropriate to hug him. He was truly distraught. After I pulled away, he promised me he’d pray for my vocation, and I promised him I’d pray for his good health. After a final good bye, he escorted me to the door and told me to enjoy the day because it was nice and cool out.
I write this in hopes that you all can sincerely pray for good Brother John, both for his good health and so that he can adapt well to life at Villanova. I don’t really know what else to say but, Jesus, I trust in You.
Oh actually, there is something else I can say, he has a very strong devotion to Saint Rita of Cascia, so perhaps she would be a nice intercessor for this.
As I mentioned previously, good Brother John had been diagnosed with cancer, and immediately went to do battle. It has been well over a year now, I think. When he returned from Pennsylvania, visiting family, I saw him for the first time since before the Pastor announced it in his homily. He was tired. He had lost his hair and was wearing a black zucchetto. He walked as if he was already a ghost.
I had moved away from the Parish and was leaving a few towns over, but continued my duties as an Altar Server. I tried to “resign” but the director of the Altar Servers didn’t let me so I continued. I was serving less and less, roughly once a month. I barely see Brother John any more.
Today I had to drop off some forms at the Friary. Lo and behold, good Brother John answered the door. While he was looking better than before, he was still tired. The forms I had to drop off were CORI forms, so he helped me fill in some spots I missed. After I sealed the envelope, and left it on his desk, he told me that on the fifth of September, he would be transferred to the Monastery at Villanova. Now, I recall that our last parochial assistant was moved to Villanova as well, so I was thinking Brother John would be happy with this. Further more, Brother John has family not far from Villanova, so I thought he would be even happier. Nope. He cried. He was heart broken. The Parish he had been in for years, would now be miles away. I shook his hand, but felt it was more appropriate to hug him. He was truly distraught. After I pulled away, he promised me he’d pray for my vocation, and I promised him I’d pray for his good health. After a final good bye, he escorted me to the door and told me to enjoy the day because it was nice and cool out.
I write this in hopes that you all can sincerely pray for good Brother John, both for his good health and so that he can adapt well to life at Villanova. I don’t really know what else to say but, Jesus, I trust in You.
Oh actually, there is something else I can say, he has a very strong devotion to Saint Rita of Cascia, so perhaps she would be a nice intercessor for this.