This has been approved by my youngest brother, John. His cancer is really serious and the family is devastated. I am trying to do right by the parish in this time of crisis, but in truth, my thoughts are with him. We have always been very very close. I would readily trade places if I could. My sister worked with him to set up a GOFUNDME page.
My sister Helen writes: “Dear family and friends. This is the saddest moment of my life. My little brother John has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He can no longer work. He is married and has two young children who rely on him. He has a hard road ahead of him and is trying to be strong for his family. Please, if you are able to help it would be such a blessing for him and his family. If you are not able to help financially, please join our prayer warriors.”
My brother John writes: “I have been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer which has spread to the liver. The liver is not functioning properly now and I am always tired and unable to do any heavy lifting. I am no longer able to work and could pass in a few months and would be blessed to make a year. The start of chemo has been complicated due to the condition of the liver and my current jaundice appearance which is very noticeable in my eyes. Doctor is afraid chemo could result in complete liver failure.”
John is only 50 years old and has a wife and two small children. The family is helping as much as we can. We wanted to get the word out so that we might bombard heaven with prayers. John is a past Grand Knight of St. Mary of the Assumption Council in Upper Marlboro, MD and we would ask all the Knights to beseech the intercession of Fr. Michael J. McGivney.
My sisters and I picked up our little brother at the hospital yesterday and spent time at the house with his wife and two children. It is very hard but he is putting on a brave face. The doctors say that the cancer is inoperable and his liver would not survive the chemotherapy. I gave him the sacraments. Hospice has been contacted. I left him today with a bible and my prayer book. Please pray with me for a miracle.
All this is hitting at one time… trying to reopen the church, lingering concerns about the coronavirus, dealing with losses in the parish and now this. It is truly overwhelming.
FATHER JOE
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