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Hello everybody!
Happy New Year! I hope your Christmas and holiday celebrations were a blessed time for you and your families. As always, I am excited to welcome back our school children, faculty and staff tomorrow. May 2024 bring God’s true blessings to each of us.
Some have noticed my increased issues with back pain and I’m grateful for their caring concern and prayers. I wanted to give you an update, although I still don’t have all the information. About two months ago, I noticed increased and persistent pain along with some increased numbness in my feet. After I skipped the Toy Bowl because I was hurting too bad, I scheduled to see my doctor. After my initial appointment, I began physical therapy in mid December, scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to look again at my right knee (I had surgery on it in 2008), and had an MRI of my lower back (where I had a fusion surgery in 2020). I had an initial meeting with my neurosurgeon before Christmas.
The news was not good. I have new severe stenosis in the joint above the previously fused one that requires a new fusion surgery. Just before and after Christmas, my symptoms worsened, though by God’s grace I was able to preside at the Christmas masses relatively well. My pain has become constant and occasionally intense and incapacitating, though I am still continuing to do PT, walk my dog, and do ministry. I will meet the neurosurgeon again on Thursday and will hopefully know soon when surgery will be scheduled. With my current symptoms, I am hoping this will be as soon as possible. There will again be up to six weeks of recovery.
I have had time to pray, process, and share this with close friends and family. Although initially quite disheartened, I do trust in God’s providence, our amazing clergy and staff, and our whole community. I’m reminded of a brief story I first learned in college. A man was complaining to Jesus about his cross and the Good Lord said there were many others in storage if he would like to exchange his. After searching the cross storage room, the man finally settled on a small cross leaning against the wall that fit him pretty well, especially after having tried so many of the larger ones. As he exited with his new cross, an astonished Jesus said, “My brother, after all that searching, I’m surprised you picked your own cross.” We all carry our own crosses and I’m blessed by God and you to not carry mine alone.
I will keep you updated as I learn more and we will communicate the plan for ministry during my surgery and recovery (by the way, welcome back Fr. Tony!). I am extremely grateful to our parish leadership for their support and continued efforts. Thank you for your prayers and love. From one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us… We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:18, 28).
May God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hand!
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
Catholic Services Appeal Update
Congratulations and thank you for your support! We have hit our dollar goal for the Catholic Services Appeal. We are still working towards our participation goal and are confident we will hit this in the near future. You can find the latest update under the Giving Together section.
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