Dear Friends December 2011

Week of December 5, 2011
Prayer Requests

'The Beatitudes for Caregivers'

Dear Friends:

A new month means new material has been posted at CatholicCaregivers.com. The subject for the newest flier is a Spirituality Topic we've had on YourAgingParent.com for some time now: "The Beatitudes for Caregivers." You can find the flier here and the Topic here. There are also new Bulletin Briefs and Prayers of Intercession.

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As we mentioned last week, there are daily Advent reflections provided by Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. To visit the general information page click here, and to go straight the Second Week of Advent, click here.
You can also find the Mass readings for each day at the site for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. That link is here.

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Free Christmas Gifts! Friends of St. John the Caregiver holy cards, prayer cards and prayer books:
          --make great stocking stuffers,
          --are ideal for including in Christmas cards,
          --and are the perfect accompaniment for those tins of Christmas cookies you’re giving to family, friends and neighbors.
       Free means free! The items are free and the shipping is free, too. This is the order form that has the list of material available and just click here for ways to contact us.

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       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 on-line here

        or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)

        or print and mail an application form.

God bless you!

Monica and Bill

To contact us
To join FSJC
To make a donation
To view or make prayer requests
Materials order form
Past "Dear Friends" letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter

Week of December 12, 2011
Prayer Requests

Annual Appeal 2011-2012:
'The Light of the World . . .
in These Darkening Times'

Dear Friends:

       Now more than ever, the world needs the “light”—the example of love and selfless giving—that family caregivers offer.
       The growing darkness isn’t just promoters of euthanasia and assisted suicide gaining ground. It’s the public’s increasing willingness to accept that a human life has little or no value if that person isn’t seen as a contributing and productive member of society.
       Instead, those who need care are viewed as burdens on taxpayers and families. And some who need care are beginning to see themselves that way, too.
       In 2011 family caregivers are, in the words of the Gospel, the light of the world, the city set on a mountain, the lamp placed on a stand where it gives light to all in the house (Matthew 5:14-16).

And what do caregivers need?

       Then, too, caregivers need help to be that light, to remain that light. And that’s why the Friends of St. John the Caregiver exists. It recognizes, thanks, and supports those who demonstrate how caregiving is pro-life.
       It reminds parishes, dioceses, and others how they can do the same.
       And it lets caregivers know that the Catholic Church acknowledges what they’re doing, greatly appreciates it, and wants to be with them as—day by day and night by night—they live out their vocation of caring for a loved one.

That’s why we’re asking you to please donate
once again to the Friends of St. John the Caregiver.

We make this request on behalf of caregivers, care-receivers and those who help both, so it’s only right that we let them share their thoughts with you. Here’s small sample of what they’ve told us over the past year:

       I appreciate all of the support. It has been deeply saddening to watch Mom and Dad get older and have more and more problems, but it is something that most of us have to face at some time. The support from your group and others has been a huge lifeline to me at one very difficult time.
Lenore D.-H., Connecticut

       Your e-mails, prayers and genuine care brought tears of gratitude to my eyes, especially after an exhausting night of no sleep. Thank you and God bless you!!!!!!!
Marga A., Wisconsin

       The “Caregiver’s Prayer” is—wow!—so powerful and comforting. I’m involved in the RCIA, returning after 40 years, and in our group prayers they always remember me and my struggle as a caregiver. I know I need all the prayers I can get. Don't we all?
Thomas M., Maryland

       Thank you! I work in Pastoral Ministry and am passionate about working with the elderly. I was inspired by your websites and appreciate all of the resources you have for this rewarding ministry! I am excited about sharing your websites/resources with others.
Trena W., Minnesota

       I have enjoyed the benefits of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. The prayers/thoughts have given me peace while taking care of my mother. Each day is a challenge but there is nothing God gives us we can't handle, right? Take care and thanks again for your support.
Janice K., Texas

       My mom passed away on May 15, 2011, at the age of 86. Thank you for your prayers. I found the “Caregiver’s Prayer” to be of great help. Thank you.
Rose S., Kentucky

       I was delighted to see in the latest newsletter that someone has translated “The Little Book of Caregivers Prayers” into Chinese. Is it at all possible to get copies? In my work, I have been asked to give a presentation on visiting the sick and caregivers to the Chinese Catholic Mission here in Montreal and I would love to have a resource in Chinese to distribute to them.
Cathie M., Quebec

       Thank you. I have shared the prayers with other caregiver friends, and they were very grateful!
Kathleen R., Florida

       Please keep up the good work. I have quite a few friends who are caregivers for their parents now and I always tell them about your organization and pass on prayers that you have sent me. This is a much-needed ministry. When my mom was in our local hospital I shared with the hospital chaplain the Friends of St John the Caregiver’s number and e-mail address in hopes she would "carry the message."
Mary Ann K., Indiana

       Thank you for the wealth of material you have sent. You are beacons of light when it is very much needed. May God be with you.
Mary Elizabeth D., Ohio

We’re asking you now to please donate once again
and help support this one-of-a-kind Catholic
ministry and resource.

On behalf of countless families around the globe—names and faces and stories you’ll never know, see or hear on this side of heaven—thank you! Please take a minute—right now—to print out and fill out the donation form and to write that check. You can click “Donate” and give that way, too. (Your donation is tax deductible!)

God bless you!

Your donation really does make a difference!

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As we mentioned last week, there are daily Advent reflections provided by Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. To visit the general information page click here, and to go straight the Third Week of Advent, click here.
You can also find the Mass readings for each day at the site for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. That link is here.

- - -

       This week we're so pleased to welcome Doris K. of South Carolina as the newest member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep her and her intentions in your prayers. She has promised to pray for you and yours.
       And 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 on-line here

        or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)

        or print and mail an application form.

God bless you!

Monica and Bill

To contact us
To join FSJC
To make a donation
To view or make prayer requests
Materials order form
Past "Dear Friends" letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter

Week of December 19, 2011
Prayer Requests

Christmas Blessings to You!

"What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it."
--John1:3-5

Dear Friends:

You and your loved ones remain in our prayers on this Christmas and always.
God bless you!

Monica and Bill

To contact us
To join FSJC
To make a donation
To view or make prayer requests
Materials order form
Past "Dear Friends" letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter

Week of December 26, 2011
Prayer Requests

Happy Feast of St. John the Caregiver

Dear Friends:

Tuesday, Dec. 27, is the feast of St. John the Apostle, the Evangelist, and . . . the Caregiver. It's only in recent years that he's been given that third title.
When we began the Friends of St. John the Caregiver in 2005 we couldn't find any saint listed as the "official" patron for those who take care of a spouse, aging parent, a child or sibling with special needs, or a friend or family member, but we couldn't think of a better choice than the caregiver Christ chose from the cross for his own mother.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home."
--John 19:26-27

Prayer to St. John, Patron of Caregivers

Beloved St. John, from the cross Jesus entrusted to you
the care of His Blessed Mother.
Help me and all those taking care of a loved one
who is sick, elderly, disabled or frail.
Pray for us, that as we go about our many caregiving
duties, we may never lose sight of that truth
which Christ revealed to His disciples:
"Whatever you did for one of these,
you did for Me." Amen.

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       This week we're so pleased to welcome Julie C. of Texas the newest member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep her and her intentions in your prayers. She has promised to pray for you and yours.
       And 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 on-line here

        or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)

        or print and mail an application form.

God bless you!

Monica and Bill

To contact us
To join FSJC
To make a donation
To view or make prayer requests
Materials order form
Past "Dear Friends" letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter