'Dear Friends' September 2007

Monday, September 3, 2007    Back to School Dear Friends,    Around here, in western Washington state, most schools get back in session this Tuesday. Annually, the day after Labor Day is when, in general, parents cheer, teachers take a deep breath and children sigh. As a caregiver or care-receiver, you may have noticed that, in general, school is always in session.    A period when things are going smoothly (when no new "lessons" -- no new challenges -- have popped up) can be the exception. There is no absolute "summer vacation."  No "two weeks off at Christmas." No "Easter break." No wonder a caregiver and care-receiver, even during relatively quiet times, can feel a bit on edge. Can be, even if they aren't aware of it, "waiting for the other shoe to drop."    Our prayer for you this week is that during the quiet times you're able to get some rest. That in the middle of the difficult times or when new challenges suddenly arise, you're aware of the presence of God in your life and in your vocation as a caregiver or care-receiver.    You've been chosen for this time, this place, this circumstance. And the One who loves you with an infinite, unconditional and eternal love isn't going anywhere. He never takes a break. He's with you -- right here, right now.  - - -    And speaking of back to school . . . .  We have to say: Go, Gators. This week we're so pleased to welcome as new FSJC members Bob and Anne and the family caregivers at St. Augustine Church in Gainesville, Fla. For more than 80 years, St. Augustine Catholic Student Center has been a "home away from home" for students of the University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College.    To find out more about joining with others who are praying for caregivers and care-receivers, visit the Friends of St. John the Caregiver here. - - -    Would you like to meet Monica? She'll be at the FSJC display booth at Catholic Charities USA's annual gathering in Cincinnati Sept. 13-16. And she'll have a table in the exhibition hall at the National Council of Catholic Women's convention in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 20-23. Stop by and say "Hello."'    God bless you!                                                          Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 10, 2007    In Your Prayers Dear Friends,    We've changed a page title on YourAgingParent.com to better reflect what's really going on. "Caregivers Praying for Caregivers" is now "Prayer Requests." It isn't just caregivers asking for prayers and it isn’t just caregivers doing the praying! Please visit Prayer Requests often and keep those intentions in your prayers. There's also a page if you would like to add your intentions.   We've posted the most recent edition of "Among Friends" -- the newsletter of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. (This is in a PDF format so you need Adobe Reader on your computer to view it, but you probably already have that, don't you? If not, it's a free download from Adobe.)  - - -    As we mentioned last week, Monica will be at the FSJC display booth at the Catholic Charities USA's annual gathering in Cincinnati Sept. 13-16. (This Thursday through Sunday.) And she'll have a table in the exhibition hall at the National Council of Catholic Women's convention in Columbus, Ohio, next week: Sept. 20-23. Stop by and say "Hello." She'll have free prayer books, holy cards and more. Copies of her book, "A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent" will be available for purchase. - - -    Considering becoming a member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver? What a great idea!    God bless you!                                                          Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 17, 2007    Connections Dear Friends,    What a delight it was earlier this week to open our post office box and find a letter from Sharon W. at St. Bernardine parish in Baltimore. She told us it was through her pastor, Father Edward Miller, that she had learned about the Friends of St. John the Caregiver and now the parish wanted to join . . . as a parish.   We're so pleased to welcome the parish and Father Miller, Sharon, Pearl H., Nita H., Deborah G., Genevieve S., Joyce D., Denise F., and Rita A. Please keep their intentions in your prayers. As FSJC members, they're praying for all caregivers and those receiving care.    We would love to welcome your parish, too!    Sharon's letter had us thinking about our "Baltimore connections." Our nephew, Will, serves in the Coast Guard there. And its home to the Sulpician priests; society members were Bill's teachers in high school -- at a minor seminary -- near Seattle.    It's human nature to make those kinds of "connections" when meeting someone new, isn't it? ("Oh, you're from Atlanta? I have a sister who . . . " Or "I was there one time and . . . ") In many ways, that's what the Friends of St. John the Caregiver is all about. "Oh, you're a caregiver? So am I." Or "I used to be." Or "I work with or minister to caregivers and receivers." Or "A caregiver is helping me now."  That human connection -- based on shared experience -- can be a true blessing.    So, too, for the connection among family members and between a caregiver and care-receiver. Relationships -- now facing new challenges and opportunities --can deepen and mature during those . . . moments of panic and moments of grace.  - - -    Thanks so much, too, to the wonderful people Monica met this past week at Catholic Charities USA's annual gathering in Cincinnati. Your kind words about FSJC and its programs (YourAgingParent.com and CatholicCaregivers.com) were very much appreciated. And thanks for taking more than 400 caregiver prayer books home with you!    This week Monica's hosting a table in the exhibition hall at the National Council of Catholic Women's convention in Columbus, Ohio. Stop by for a free prayer book, holy cards and more. Copies of her book, "A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent" will be available for purchase.    God bless you!                                                          Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 24, 2007    Home Again Dear Friends,    It's nice to be back home after 12 days on the road! What a wonderful reception the Friends of St. John the Caregiver received from both Catholic Charities USA and the National Council of Catholic Women. We brought 2,000 prayer books with us and returned with only 15! Thank you so very, very much to all the people who are now spreading the word that there's a Catholic resource for family caregivers.    If this is your first visit to YourAgingParent.com or one of our sisters sites (FSJC.org and CatholicCaregivers.com), welcome, welcome, welcome! Please just let us know if you need more prayer books or holy cards/prayer cards mailed to you. And please download and print all our material to your heart's content. (No cost; no limit.) - - -    This week we want to introduce our newest member: Theodora in Maryland. Thank you, Theodora, for praying for all caregivers and those receiving care. You and your loved ones are being prayed for by FSJC members.    God bless you!                                                          Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation Past "Dear Friends" notes