Dear Friends
A Caregiver's "Ongoing Yes"
April 2024
Dear Friends,
You may have noticed that this year the Feast of the Annunciation is on April 8 instead of March 25. That's because it's a "moveable" observance and in 2024 it was (gently) bumped beause t fell on the Monday of Holy Week.
Still, it remains a good reminder for careagivers that, like Mary saying "yes" to God's invitation to become Jesus' mom,or St. John accepting Jesus' request from the cross to take care of his mother, no doubt both Mary and John continued to say "yes" in a variety of ways. Just as you do.
To pick up your loved one's prescription or make his doctor's appointment. To drive her to a gathering of her friends (how nice for her). Or to the dentist. (Ooh.)
To get his laundry done or make sure he's eating healthy meals.
To go without sleep. To watch her favorite TV gameshow with her. (Yet again.) To hold his hand when he's so concerned about his upcoming surgery. To listen, one more time, to one of her favorite stories about-way-back-when. To help him brush his teeth. To answer the same question he's asked you three times in the last five minutes.
And on and on and ... on.
"Yes", after"yes", after "yes.
To what he or she needs. To what God asks of you. On this day. During this night.
And as we wrote in our flier, The Basics of Catholic Caregiving:
Like St. John at the foot of the cross, you now have the opportunity
to answer "yes" to God's invitation to care for one of his beloved
sons or daughters.
Our faith tell us, and our loving God assures us, you're not alone in this often challenging and overwhelming – and at times even frightening - mission. The One who asked you remains with you, day and night.
More than merely by your side, he alone can be in your mind, your
heart and your soul, ready to offer you comfort, support and
strength to handle the daily challenges of caregiving. All you need
to do is ask.
But amid the hectic day-in and day-out tasks of caring for a loved
one, sometimes it takes effort, it takes a conscious and deliberate
decision, to stop – if only for a moment – and become more aware of
the presence of God.
To better see how he never abandons you. How – no matter what time
it is, no matter where you are, no matter the circumstances – he is
there.
The love you offer to your aging parent, spouse, family member or friend is always accompanied by God's infinite love for that person . . . and for you.
- - -
I know caregiving is hard, hard, hard!
You remain in my prayers.
Bill
- - -
This month we're pleased to welcome Ernesto M. of Texas as the newest memeber of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep him and his intentions in your prayers. He has promised to pray for you and yours.
And again, 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 online here
or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or print
and mail an application form.
Welcome to YourAgingParent.com
This site is designed for family caregivers..
It's for those who are helping a:
- spouse
- aging parent
- child with special needs
- sibling with special needs
- family member or
- friend.
Here you'll find spirituality, information and resources for
Catholic caregivers.
All our material and resources
are free.
Visit our sister sites:
--Friends
of St. John
the Caregiver
"The Basics
of Catholic Caregiving"
"A Caregiver's Prayer"
The
Friends of St. John the Caregiver was chosen to be part of the
USCCB's
2007-2008
Respect Life Program.
