'Dear Friends' February 2008

Monday, February 4, 2008    The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers Dear Friends,     This week, as Lent begins, we're pleased to announce "The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers" is available as volume two in "The Little Book of Caregiver Prayers" series.     If you're a member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver, you'll be receiving a copy of the prayer book in the mail. If you're not a member and would like to receive a free copy, just send us a self-addressed stamped envelope at P.O. Box 320, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. Ask for "The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers." If you live outside the United States, just contact us and request a copy.     The stations are also on a web page and available as a one-page PDF that can be downloaded and printed. Print as many copies as you, your family and friends, and your parish would like. As with the fliers and other material on our sister site, CatholicCaregivers.com, there's no charge to republish, reprint or distribute it. - - -     And speaking of FSJC members, this week we're so pleased to welcome Kasandra B. from Arkansas, Sally N. from Ohio and Theresa H. from Pennsylvania. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They've promised to keep caregivers and care-receivers in theirs.     As we mentioned last week, Lent is a great time to join! You can find more information here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 11, 2008    As Those We Love Leave Us Dear Friends,     Over the last week or so, advertisers have kicked into high gear their annual push for Valentine's Day chocolates, jewelry and more. It's a good reminder for all of us to pause and think about those we hold dear and, once again, to let them know how much we love them.     If you're a caregiver, this holiday can be bittersweet because, for many families, a care-receiver gradually slips away over a number of days, weeks, months or years. As an illness or condition worsens, physically or mentally -- or both -- he or she is no longer the same person who . . .     Said "I do." Taught, protected, nurtured and provided. Was more than a good sibling or in-law but a true friend. Was a son or daughter full of energy and plans and dreams.     That's why, for many if not most caregivers, the grieving of the loss of a loved one doesn't begin when that loved one dies. It can start long before that very sad day.     But on this day, right now, as you feel sorrow because what once was will be no more, and as you fear what is yet to be, our prayer for you is that you can take comfort in the fact -- the truth -- that sorrow and death do not win.     Another day is coming.     In the words of the final prayer of the "Stations of the Cross for Caregivers":  Dear Jesus, first to rise from the dead, continue to lead us to eternal life where you will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning, no more crying or pain. Where my loved one and I will live forever in eternal joy and peace with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. - - -     As we wrote last week, we're pleased to announce "The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers" is available as volume two in "The Little Book of Caregiver Prayers" series.     If you're a member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver, a copy of the prayer book was mailed to you. If you're not a member and would like to receive a free copy, just send us a self-addressed stamped envelope at P.O. Box 320, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. Ask for "The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers." If you live outside the United States, just contact us and request a copy.     The stations are also on a web page and available as a one-page PDF that can be downloaded and printed. Print as many copies as you, your family and friends, and your parish would like. As with the fliers and other material on our sister site, CatholicCaregivers.com, there's no charge to republish, reprint or distribute it. - - -     We're so pleased to welcome Nancy McN. of Pennsylvania as the newest member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Nancy assists caregivers and those receiving care. Please keep her and her intentions in your prayers. She has promised to keep caregivers and care-receivers in hers.     You can read more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 18, 2008    To Tell the Truth Dear Friends,     Cherry growers must love George Washington's birthday. Officially, it's this Friday, Feb. 22, but in recent times it's pretty much been folded into a "Presidents Day" holiday.     Even so, it seems that every school child in America is still taught the fable of young George getting a little rambunctious with his hatchet (or ax) and hacking down a cherry tree. When confronted -- the legend goes -- he answered, "I cannot tell a lie," and readily confessed.     School children also know that association -- cherries and Washington -- has come to mean a host of pies, cupcakes and other related treats to mark the birthday!     If you're a caregiver, you know you can tell a lie . . . or two. But if you're a seasoned caregiver, you know that's not a good idea. When it comes to the relationship between you and your loved one (or among you and others in the family) honesty truly is the best policy.     You can read more about that at Keeping Secrets, Telling Lies.     (Speaking of presidents, we suppose we should make some comment about "Honest Abe" Lincoln here but we'll let that slide.) - - -     At the Vatican: A tip of the hat -- or miter -- for caregivers. As one news report has it:     Hundreds of people who care for the sick escorted a relic of St. Bernadette Soubirous into St. Peter's Square.     The procession down the main street leading to the square opened festivities at the Vatican marking the Feb. 11 feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. . . .     In the evening, the sick and those who care for them participated in a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry. - - -     We want to thank Jerry Usher and Gina Rodio at "Catholic Answers Live" for inviting us to be guests on the Feb. 13th broadcast. You'll find an archived version of the interview here. - - -     Welcome, new members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver! Hello to Virginia P., Ignacio E. and Diana G. in California; Catherine V. in Virginia; Sally B. in Indiana; Maryann P. in Florida; and Margaret K. in Idaho.  Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have promised to keep caregivers and care-receivers in theirs.     If you've been thinking about become a member, why not do it this Lent? (Beat the Easter rush!) You can read more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 25, 2008    Turning - or Returning - to the Sacraments Dear Friends,     If your parish is like most, there are people getting ready to receive the sacraments of baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at this year's Easter vigil.     They offer a good reminder that your care-receiver may appreciate being asked if he or she would like someone from the parish to bring the Eucharist. Or have the priest stop by for the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or Reconciliation. It may be your loved one wants to find out more about returning to the Church.     Just as you've discovered there's a spiritual side to caregiving, there's a deep spirituality associated with care-receiving, too. Your loved one may greatly appreciate your raising a subject like the sacraments or coming back to the Church even if he or she wouldn't have considered it only a short time ago.     Our prayers are with you. - - -     The March editions of Catholic Caregivers ("The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers"), Bulletin Briefs and Prayers of Intercession have been posted at CatholicCaregivers.com. All the material is free and can be used by any group or individual. Print as many copies as you would like. No charge.     We know that some parishes include the flier in their bulletins once a month and other make them available in the vestibule or narthex.     Also, we would really appreciate it if you would ask you parish staff to include a link to YourAgingParent.com on the parish's Web site. (What a fast, easy and no-cost way for a parish to help caregivers!) - - -    This week we welcome Rebecca B. and Patricia S. as new members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Both live in California. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have promised to keep caregivers and care-receivers in theirs.     You can read more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes