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Dear Friends

Advent wreath 

A Caregiver's Advent -- and Christmas --
in 2020

Week of December 1, 2020
Prayer Requests

Dear Friends:

Advent, the liturgical season of waiting, seems a bit redundant in 2020, a year filled with waiting.

Waiting for COVID's spread to subside. Waiting for a vaccine to be developed and made available. Waiting for a return to the "normal" of 2019.

And, as always, those challenges are intensified and complicated when the role of caregiver or care-receiver is enmeshed with them.

Symbolically, it's one, two, three, four small candles against the darkness. Against ongoing times of fear and, at some points, times of despair.

Under the absolute best of circumstances, caregiving is hard, hard, hard! And 2020 has been far from the best of circumstances.

But, as a caregiver, you know that. You haven't just lived it, you're continuing to live with it.

Small wonder there's an echoing of scriptural passages from the Old and New Testaments. Why, God? Where are you, God? How long, God?

Or, in the words of Christ on the cross: "Why have you abandoned me?"

Four candles, four flames, to remind us that just as the Father didn't abandon the Son, so too he hasn't abandoned you or your care-receiver.

He's with you -- right here, right now -- always. Even when you don't feel his presence. Even when, so tired and frightened, you give him a him a piece of your mind. In no uncertain terms.

Not blasphemy, but a prayer from the very depth of your soul. A prayer that asks what Jesus asked.

Liturgically, the end of Advent is the birth of Christ. Of the long-awaited (and desperately prayed-for) Savior. Emmanuel, that is, "God is with us."

Then, Now. Always.

Thank you so much for what you've done and what you're doing to help your care-receiver. Please know that members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver around the world are praying for both of you.

Prayers that are sparks of love and "distanced" companionship in a dark 2020 world.

And, as always, you remain in my prayers, too.

--Bill

- - -

This week we're so pleased to welcome Sharon H. of South Carolina as the newest member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep her and her intentions in your prayers. She has promised to pray for you and yours.

And again this week 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.

Past "Dear Friends" Letters

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