Sister Maria Lucina (Melinda Shellenbarger) – January 17, 1957 – June 23, 2018 Eulogy Sr. Lucina by Sr. Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT On behalf of Sr Marie Hesed, Sr. Mary Bethany and myself, and all the Sisters of Our Lady, I would first of all like to thank the Most Holy Trinity and Our Lady for the privilege of accompanying Sr. Maria Lucina in these last months of her life. None of us, including Sr Lucina, knew that when she came to us in September. But coming here to Iowa was a part of God’s plan for her at the end of her life. I want also to thank the wonderful priests here who attended Sister especially in her last days. Fr. Kevin, Fr. Broderson, Fr. Schneider. (came immediately…Fr. Broderson…)     Dr. Tina… Every person’s life tells a story and Sister’s life was no exception. Sister’s life was part drama, part mystery, part unfolding plan or dream of God in her life…but all gift of God’s love.  She knew that her life was part of the …

This is the group of wonderful women who participated in this weekend’s Facing Our Immortality Retreat in Golden, CO. It was a retreat for women with cancer and was really incredible. These women are amazing. Many of them are dealing with 4th stage cancers but they have such strength and endurance and faith, and on this particular retreat, were given a special gift of joy after Fr. Joseph Tran came to hear Confessions and do the Anointing of the Sick. Fr. is pure joy himself as you can see in the picture. Sr. Hesed also participated with us in her first retreat of this type and was wonderful as well. The retreat is really powerful on so many different levels. We are hoping to get more response here in Iowa as there is nothing on this level offered anywhere else.  Watch for an article in Aleteia on this particular retreat coming up soon.      

Dear Ladies, I came across a YouTube video on the history of St. Peregrine while searching for a helpful video to share with you all.  I feel like I have a relationship with this Saint, the Patron Saint of Cancer and those who are seriously ill.  I prayed for his intercession regularly during the course of my ovarian cancer and requested his help to prevent my sister from having ovarian cancer.  I did not know that his Feast Day is May 1 until I watched the YouTube video. He was on my mind most of the day today. There is a feeling within that I have not spoken of him with due frequency.  Sharing his Feast Day with you now reaffirms to me that he looks after us, those of us who are very sick. All I can say is that my true witness comes from this situation when I was praying for my sister.  She and I carry the same mutation, BRCA1. Several years ago she was having abdominal problems that sounded like ovarian …

For our dear sisters and brothers who have faith that Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother do offer a lighted hand to lift us out of fear into completeness, welcome. My name is Denise Archuleta, aka Servivorgirl, and this is Sr. Anne Marie Walsh S.O.L.T. Together we have founded Facing Our Immortality. Facing Our Immortality is a cancer ministry based on the principles of Catholic teaching that offers monthly support groups and specialized retreats for people who have been impacted by cancer.  We are open to anyone, as a patient, survivor, spouse, caregiver, loved one or surviving spouse.  You do not need to be Catholic to participate. A few years ago my heart felt empty as I was unsuccessful in finding a faith based retreat for women with cancer. I did find cancer getaways, yoga retreats and outdoor activity retreats that built community, but found nothing to address my soul. I needed to strengthen my relationship with Christ, now that my life had been altered due to cancer. I was craving a place where I could heal …