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 Welcome! This site is designed for adult children caring for an aging parent but
   most of the material also applies if you're helping your spouse, or assisting a
   child or sibling with special needs, or a friend or family member.
     Here you'll find spirituality, information and resources for Catholic caregivers.

 Join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver, an international Catholic organization
   addressing the growing needs of family caregivers and sponsor of
   YourAgingParent.com. It's free!
     FSJC is featured in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2007-2008
    Respect Life Program. Material for family caregivers is available in English and
    Spanish.

 Looking for more help?

   "A Catholic Guide
   to Caring for Your Aging Parent"  
   by Monica Dodds

 

Monday, May 5, 2008    Gifts for Mom . . . and the Rest of Us Dear Friends,     Here in the United States next Sunday, May 11th, is Mother's Day. Worldwide, it's the feast of Pentecost. Our prayer for all moms -- especially those who are caregivers or care-receivers -- is that they will be open to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. May the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity bless them -- and bless you, too! -- with wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety, fear (love) of the Lord, and fortitude.     Last Pentecost Pope Benedict XVI offered the reminder:     Dear brothers and sisters, the first Pentecost took place when Mary Most Holy was present amid the disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and prayed. Today, too, let us entrust ourselves to her maternal intercession, so that the Holy Spirit may descend in abundance upon the Church in our day, fill the hearts of all the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of his love.     Our Lady in Need, pray for us! - - -     A traditional prayer to the Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit     Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.    Let us pray: O God, who instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant, that by that same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, through Christ Our Lord. Amen. - - -     Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. "Hello" to Meg and Chris G. of Oregon, Anne R. of California, and Lucy A. of Washington state. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have promised to pray for caregivers and those receiving care.    And, of course, we invite you to join, too! You can find out more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes