'Double Isolation' at Christmas 2021
Week of December 19, 2021
Prayer Requests
Dear Friends,
This Christmas is doubly hard for some. Recent statistics say 800,000 Americans have died from COVID. So many lives, so many families, so many broken hearts.
So much sorrow, so much overwhelming, crippling grief.
For many families there's another change since Christmas 2020.
At some point over the last twelve months, a loved one has become a care-receiver. And the one who loves him or her, has become a caregiver.
And if you're a caregiver, you know how lonely that can be. How isolating. How exhausting. For many families, Christmas 2021 is marked with "double isolation." By COVID. By caring.
For many, there is "double loneliness."
Our Christmas prayer for you this year is that you'll find comfort in realizing, in remembering, that the loving God who has asked you to care for his beloved son or daughter is always with you. Always.
No, none of us is perfect at caregiving. None of us is perfect at loving. Even so, God never abandons us. Never steps away for even a moment. Never fails to see how hard we work to be, how hard we want to be, a loving caregiver.
And in you, he is well pleased.
This is from our "The Basics of Catholic Caregiving":
Our faith tell us, and our
loving God assures us, you’re not alone in this often challenging
and overwhelming – and at times even frightening – mission. The One
who asked you remains with you, day and night.
More than merely by your
side, he alone can be in your mind, your heart and your soul, ready
to offer you comfort, support and strength to handle the daily
challenges of caregiving. All you need to do is ask.
But amid the hectic day-in
and day-out tasks of caring for a loved one, sometimes it takes
effort, it takes a conscious and deliberate decision, to stop – if
only for a moment – and become more aware of the presence of God.
To better see how he never
abandons you. How – no matter what time it is, no matter where you
are, no matter the circumstances – he is there.
The love you offer to your
aging parent, spouse, family member or friend is always accompanied
by God’s infinite love for that person . . . and for you.
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You remain in my prayers.
Bill
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This week we're so pleased to welcome Kathy O. of South Carolina, Lori A. of Texas, George B. of Maryland and Kris F. of Iowa as the newest members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have promised to pray for you and yours.
Again this week we cordially invite you to join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include YourAgingParent.com and CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about becoming a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).
You can:
sign up online here
or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.