Prayers please

I’ve just heard that a local parish, St. James in Stoughton, had a Confirmation retreat this past weekend and that the worst-case scenario happened: One of the teens died of a brain aneurysm. Fr. James Kelly is the pastor of the parish, and he ran the youth group in my parish when I was a kid. He also married my brother Bernie and his wife Carol. I’m told that Fr. Kelly and the rest of the retreat team ministered well to the kids during the horrific experience.

Please keep Sarah McNeill, her family, and the parish—which is slated for closing, by the way—in your prayers.

Prayers please

I’ve just heard that a local parish, St. James in Stoughton, had a Confirmation retreat this past weekend and that the worst-case scenario happened: One of the teens died of a brain aneurysm. Fr. James Kelly is the pastor of the parish, and he ran the youth group in my parish when I was a kid. He also married my brother Bernie and his wife Carol. I’m told that Fr. Kelly and the rest of the retreat team ministered well to the kids during the horrific experience.

Please keep Sarah McNeill, her family, and the parish—which is slated for closing, by the way—in your prayers.

Prayers please

I’ve just heard that a local parish, St. James in Stoughton, had a Confirmation retreat this past weekend and that the worst-case scenario happened: One of the teens died of a brain aneurysm. Fr. James Kelly is the pastor of the parish, and he ran the youth group in my parish when I was a kid. He also married my brother Bernie and his wife Carol. I’m told that Fr. Kelly and the rest of the retreat team ministered well to the kids during the horrific experience.

Please keep Sarah McNeill, her family, and the parish—which is slated for closing, by the way—in your prayers.

Prayers please

Could you all stop for a moment today and pray for a little newborn named Sean Patrick Conklin? He’s very sick and could use your prayers. Thanks.

Prayers please

I’d like to impose on you, my readers, for your prayers please. My mom was fired from her job at a major health insurance company today, because, I believe, she was about to go out on medical leave on Friday. She was told the reason was that she made four mistakes entering claim forms since February. That’s four mistakes out of thousands of forms.

I’m sure this is a clear case of age and disability discrimination. Now my mom won’t be able to go ahead with a surgery that was scheduled for Friday because she is losing her health insurance. She will have to continue to suffer excrutiating pain because of the disability that was to be corrected in the operation.

Please pray for me too, because I need to deal with my anger over this.

Prayers please

I just heard that Al Kresta, the Catholic syndicated talk show host from Michigan, is very ill. He went into the hospital the other night with pain in his back and legs which they thought was an infection. Today, they amputated his leg and he is now in a coma and on a respirator and they don’t know whether he’ll survive. Please pray for him and his family.

Update: Greg Popcak clarifies that Al is not and never was in a coma. But he still had his leg amputated and is still very ill and needs our prayers.

Prayers please

My uncle Frank is very ill and is not expected to last the day. He’s almost 91 years old. Last year our family had a surprise birthday party for him which he was very moved by. At the time, I didn’t think it was a good idea to surprise a 90-year-old man. Aside from a few tears of joy, I could tell he was excited and surprised by having so many of his relatives present. I know almost all of cousins were there and their children—no small brood considering my dad has seven brothers and sisters. And that was just my aunt’s side of the family.

Uncle Frank is my uncle by marriage. He married my father’s sister. I remember him as a generous and kind man. When I was young most Sundays were spent at his house where my grandmother was living. I even spent a week there once during vacation. I wish appreciated it as much then as I would now. The regrets of a callow youth.

My uncle was a master gardener. He had a small backyard at his home that was completely given over to his vegetable garden. I always maintained that the small plot could have fed a whole village. The vegetables grew to giant proportions and I don’t think he used any artificial fertilizers to enhance them. He even managed to get grapes to grow in the city in this northeastern climate.

Lord, please comfort Uncle Frank and Auntie Jenny and their children and guide him home to your merciful and loving Presence at the appointed time. Blessed Virgin Mary, please send the holy angels to watch over him in his last hours and intercede with your Son on his behalf. Amen.

Prayers please

My good friend Mary Jo Sheehan lost her father over the weekend. I know it would mean a lot to her if each of my visitors could stop for a moment and say a prayer for the repose of his soul and for his grieving family. Thank you.