Some Updated Good News

I can’t thank all of you enough for your many and varied responses to my medical emergency last Sunday during mass. Priests have a concern about getting ill during the liturgy and now I know first hand why. Thankfully I never passed out so through the fog, I could hear, see and feel the variety of the gifts of care and concern that were being shared with me. It was a pure blessing to experience the Body of Christ in a crazy moment, and know the warmth of your care and compassion.  As the gurney left church, the last thing I remember was Sr. Dianne, SND, offering the final blessing and dismissal — at that point I knew you were in excellent hands!

At the Clinic, the staff determined that I was suffering dehydration and an infection in my legs. After a three day infusion of iv antibiotics, I was discharged Wednesday afternoon and have been staying at the friary at St. Paul Shrine. The antibiotics will continue orally for two weeks along with a blood pressure pill that some on the team thought would be helpful. I was also given prescriptions  for Occupational and Physical Therapy when it can be scheduled. It is my plan (!) to come back to the office on Tuesday.  Please keep me in your prayers.

This weekend, Fr. Bob Marva, Provincial Minister of our Province of St. Augustine, will preside at the 11:30am liturgy while Fr. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap, pastor of St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima in Hough, will preside at the 7:00pm mass. Next Sunday, June 28th, falls close to the Feast of Ss. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. This is a special invitation to our grandparents to join us (with your grandchildren?) and receive a special blessing to strengthen you in your powerful capacity to witness to the faith and pass it on to them in word and in deed.

And last but not least, the church toilets are working again with a way found to keep them flowing well for years to come!

Pace e bene! Peace and Blessing!

Br Phil, OFM Cap