Dear Friends
This was Monica's favorite depiction of the Nativity.
St. Joseph's 'Caregiver Christmas'
Week of December 19, 2016
Prayer Requests
Dear Friends,
Christmas has accumulated so many traditions over the past 2,000-plus years (even its name!), it's easy to overlook some parts of that first one.
Yes, it was wonderful, holy, blessed and all that but from one caregiver's point of view, from Joseph's perspective, it was far from ideal.
It seems safe to assume that since he was responsible for caring for his young, pregnant wife and her soon-to-be-born child, at the time he felt some guilt about his job performance. Or lack of performance.
No place to stay but a stable. For spending the night. And for the birth of that child.
He wanted it to be better. He wanted to give her, give the child, better care than . . .
But there he was. And there they were.
Now here you are. And here your care-receiver is.
Like Joseph, you want to do more but . . .
You want to do better but . . .
You don't understand why God would do what he has done, or allow what he has allowed, but . . .
We talk about St. John the Caregiver and how, from the cross, Jesus chose him to take care of the Blessed Mother.
In a similar way, God the Father asked Joseph to take care of the mother of the Savior and the Messiah himself. On that night. In Bethlehem. Under far less than ideal conditions.
On that night and over so many other days and nights over years and years until, tradition says, Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry.
Christmas 2016 may not be the way you want it to be. Certainly, you don't want your loved one to have the health troubles he or she now has.
God asked Joseph. God asked John. God asked you.
They said yes. You've said yes.
It wasn't easy for them. It isn't easy for you.
God knew that, at the first Christmas. At the crucifixion. And now.
He was with Joseph and John. He's with you.
Always.
You and your loved ones remain in my prayers.
- - -
Happy Feast of St. John the Caregiver on next Tuesday, December 27th! It tends to sneak by, so close to Christmas. But then, caregivers seldom toot their own horns.
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This week we're so pleased to welcome Allen Y. of Minnesota, Joyce H. of Kansas, Antoinette A. of California, Rebecca K. and Gail S. of Illinois, and Monica Z. and Christina F. of Indiana as the newest members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have 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 on-line here
or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.
God bless you!
Bill