Impressions (January)

Impressions: Surprisingly most of the usual suspects were here. “Happy New Years” all around and a bit of repartee shaped the tone of what followed. No introductions were necessary this night, so needing to interrupt the conversation, we started with an adlib prayer. A minute of discussion about whether we would have a RelayForLife (RFL) team this year? Yes! Next week at Holy Trinity the American Cancer Society will hold a RelayForLife team captains meeting in the banquet hall. You will hear more about this soon. We ask for your support. Only through research will we be able to find cures and other effective treatments for all cancers. The Relay For Life will be at the Classic Elite Soccer Academy, May 1-2, 2015 @ 7 PM - 7AM. Free dinner for patients, survivors and primary caregivers. Holy Trinity will have a booth. Plan to stop by for a while and become part of the World’s best (yes, biggest in the ‘world’) fundraising program. Its both impressive and fun. Buy a luminary to remember a family member or friend taken by cancer. Walk around the illuminated track with parishioners. Bring a friend and the family. Your presence will be a prayer.

Next the subject of how-to-help-more-parishioners and others touched by cancer:

• Can we determine who is not coming, and what are we doing that interferes with someone’s decision to come?
• Can we give a short message after Masses one weekend each year?
• Put the Impressions articles like this on the parish website.
• Speak to the retreats, Bible Studies, K of C and Catholic Daughters meetings, etc.
• Remind you about Benediction for cancer patients and caregivers (March 2015 - see Bulletin).
• Make flyers for the bulletin.
• Ask the pastor for a second collection for cancer research.
• Ask the pastor for another generous donation from the Sharing Fund for cancer research (see a trend here?).
• Special prayers for patients. We estimate that about half of the parishioners on the Prayer List have cancer.
• Get the youth of the parish involved in the RFL. Last year Lee HS students helped our team at the RFL.
• Ask for your ideas. Let us know what you think. Maybe we need more meetings at better times for you?
• Promote the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Its special. Our Brother Ben Paoletta was buried draped in his prayer shawl.
• Listen to you. So, talk louder, please. People who believe and belong --The Kingdom of God is where you are.

And then, one of the parishioners with cancer talked about feeling some ‘negativity’ when first attending the meetings. But after first feeling put off, the feelings changed as it became apparent that the journey one person is on may not be the same as another’s. However, there’s a lot to be learned from everyone, and maybe, one can help the other. As it turned out, attending helps. Now looking forward to the meetings, one can help others, and this is the place to do it. Other members talked about how important this group was for them even though in some cases cancer was decades behind them. They just want to help in anyway they can. Someone returned to the group and felt comfortable enough to share a very private difficulty with a serious illness. The group meeting received validation on several levels. We’re here to help, listen, empathize and support. That happened during the meeting especially for someone who had the courage to come. We know that God’s Grace and Mercy is working at Holy Trinity. Finally, a subject that we didn’t get to during the time allotted was “The Empty Cross” - TEC. One hundred seventy-seven feet seven inches (177’7”) of steel sitting on a hill overlooking Kerrville, Texas. Take the first exit for Kerrville off I-10W. If you haven’t visited, please take the time. From my perspective, it is one of God’s special places on the planet. The story of how and by whom it came about is one of faith and action - inspiring and amazing.

Tell us what you need. How can we help? Thank you for your support. Jim and Jan, 210-616-1129.