January 1, 2006        

My Dear Friends In Christ,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! As you gather today to celebrate the Feast of Mary the Mother of God I write to wish you a New Year filled with happiness, peace, and the joy and strength that comes only from Our Loving Father. As I make this wish I recall the words of our Blessed Mother: "My soul does magnify the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." As I head into the new year these words of Mary become my own as I head into this next phase of my treatment and life.

This past Tuesday I received from Terry my DLI. She was the real hero in all this: four hours of having her blood spun, separated, and extracted. For me it was just an infusion - like any of the other meds or fluids I've received recently. Now it's a waiting game - and that's the hard part. You know something's coming but you don't know when or what or how. So every day becomes a day to simply say: "Lord, whatever today brings walk with me and give me the strength to handle it." It also becomes a new day to echo the words of Mary that I quoted earlier. When I look back on this time and on my life how can I do anything but give praise to God and rejoice in His abiding presence. He has been so good to me.

Thank you for all your good wishes at Christmas and all the get well cards. Continue to keep me in your prayers - as you are in mine. With any luck and the grace of God I'll see you soon.

In the Peace of Christ
Fr. Rick