Hello all, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jim Langley, Psy. D., of St. Raphael Counseling/Catholic Charities this past week.  I thought is was very important to establish a relationship with St. Raphael Counseling because, as you are probably very aware, oftentimes with cancer comes emotional/psychological distress.  This can be with patients or with caregivers/spouses/siblings and anyone who is otherwise affected by the arise of cancer. Our ministry is directed towards the spiritual health of those affected by cancer but there is much crossover within the conversation. If you read my blog or had a chance to talk with me about my experiences since 2009 you would understand that I am a firm and ardent believer in the healing power of Christ and the love and grace He and our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints, and the Holy Spirit give us.  You would also learn I am also an ardent supporter of psychological counseling, especially when it comes to cancer. Cancer is a family illness, for all of us, and my experience was …

We are starting our monthly Facing Our Immortality Cancer Ministry Support Groups on August 13, 2018. They will occur each month, on the second Monday of the month, for now.  We have been doing quite a bit of planning to ensure that this is a safe and loving environment for people who have been affected by cancer.  We are open to patients, survivors, caregivers, spouses and surviving spouses.  Sr. Anne Marie has created a lovely workbook that walks us through prayer and spiritual exercise that brings us closer to God.  It is in facing our immortality that we release ourselves of our fears. Location: Our Lady Of Lourdes Classic School 6th grade classroom,                                2256 S. Logan St. –Denver, CO  80210 Time: 6:30 pm for 60-90 minutes.  Please call Denise to RSVP at 206-779-0691 Here is the link to the support group Facebook page Please join our Men’s Cancer Retreat October 5-7, 2018 at Mother Cabrini Shrine. “Come away by yourselves …

Article by Aleteia writer Grace Stark: What happened when 9 women joined together to look immortality in the face “A Catholic retreat in Colorado is helping women healing from cancer a chance to reflect on the deeper realities of life and death.” We were privileged to receive the attention of Grace Stark, writer with Aleteia Magazine, an inspiring Catholic journal that covers news, culture, spirituality and the Catholic lifestyle.  Grace had contacted us prior to the retreat but we did not want to alter the experience for the retreatants in any way by telling them that someone may want to interview them about the retreat.  It was our first major retreat in Colorado and it was important that the experiences be pure. After the retreat Grace provided us with a survey, which was sent to the retreatants.  Grace took time to interview Sr. Anne Marie Walsh and I about the retreat and from the surveys and interviews, Grace has put together an inspiring story about what we all encountered in Christ at Mother Cabrini Shrine. …

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 …