Hospice Meeting Prayer
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My father “Pappy” has lived with my wife and son and now brother for close to twenty years. He is 98 years old. He now requires 24-7 care. Fortunately we have been able to change our lives and keep him comfortable here in our home.
Life never quite goes the way we may intend.
We are still in the midst of a global pandemic. Covid 19 has not only claimed the living but drastically changed how we humans go about our daily lives. I’m pretty sure three years ago the majority of people did not think they would be adapting to life quite this way.
Life never goes the way we intend.
Our country is in the midst of a social political economic division not seen since the Civil War. INSTANT coverage and internet not only affect but dictate opinion and even education of the masses. Anger outbursts are prevalent, recorded and then receive thousands of ‘hits’. Anger---a sign of depression--perhaps there is a societal world wide collective depression?
Life never goes the way we...
We used to be able to rely on certain foundations when life becomes overwhelming. For many it was the family and a broader community of faith. But, even those seem to be crumbling.
Life never goes...
We used to be able to go to Mass and not be hit with the latest merger, financial need, or even worse, clergy scandal.
Life never...
Every morning I await my father’s ringing. I never know what I’m walking into. But, for the most part, the day goes as I ‘intend’--life goes as ‘I intend’--morning bathing, some fluids, medicine, sleep, a nurse visit, more liquid, some food, he may even try to get to the recliner.
It goes as I intend--until he takes another turn--more bedrest, more sleep. Just when you get into a routine it all changes. And then, once again life doesn’t go the way you intended...even daily life changes.
I have no secret way to deal with all this. I wish I could share with you just one sentence but I have nothing but silence and the above word play that in the end we are just left with...
LIFE.
I have a past--priest, minister, therapist, writer. I used to have words that could, at the very least ‘help’. Now, in the midst of life I have nothing but what’s left in my spiritual marrow and, for what it’s worth I will now share with you the reader what I have learned to be fundamental to the ‘way’ of Life.
Prayer. Fasting. Scripture. Eucharist. Confession.
If you’re reading this...you know what you need to do.
Have to run, Pappy just rang...
Ordained a Roman Catholic priest, Michael left the active ministry, married, worked as a therapist, then later became an Episcopal priest. In 2004, together with his wife and son, he made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in thanksgiving for her healing from cancer. It was at this first pilgrimage that he felt called to reconcile with the Roman Catholic Church--a church from which he had been excommunicated.
Following he and his family’s return to the Catholic Church, he has been requested by parishes and prayer groups for talks and retreats on a variety of spiritual topics. He reaches a broad audience because of the wealth of his experiences as a priest, therapist, protestant minister, ex-communicant, hospice chaplain and of course a husband and father. He is a captivating story teller, preacher, and has a knack for connecting with the congregation and audience.
Michael is a full time chaplain for LECOM VNA Hospice. In addition he facilitates several bereavement and support groups.
Michael enjoys family adventures, bicycling, cooking, fly fishing, building projects, and music composition. He lives with his lovely wife and five hounds. On occasion he runs a half marathon with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law.
A Lost Shepherd , Michael’s first book was published in 2012 and received a nomination for Book of the Year by the Small Publishers Association. In 1991 He composed, performed and produced Earthen Illusions a selection of musical compositions and donated all proceeds to the American Cancer Society. He is also a contributor to Priest magazine, published by Our Sunday Visitor. He is currently authoring a new work on Spritual Direction in Hospice.
