![]() When Danyluk saw a young girl crying because she missed her parents, he tried comforting her, saying her mom and dad would be back after school. But it teaches them to always watch out and comfort each other when needed. He said in one of the preschool classrooms there's a designated person known as the "comforter." That delegated person's job is the comfort other class members when they get upset. "It's not, 'What are you doing here?' or 'I don't have time.' "ĭanyluk said that idea goes all the way from staff members to children at the school. Jackie Doud, parishioner at Holy Name of Mary and an NCR board member, said that welcoming feeling has trickled down, and that she always feels welcome in the offices or asking to come talk to a priest, no matter when it is. "We have developed a culture here with Father that it's our people first," Martinez said. "I'm more interested in how we serve the people," he said.Ĭharlie Martinez, director of pastoral care, said it's important to their work that they take the time to listen to people's stories. But if we get to know each other in smaller groups," said Lani Galvan, volunteer coordinator, "it makes our parish smaller."ĭanyluk said it's not about the number of ministries the parish has or how full its parking lot is. "Our parish is very big our church is very big. "May our physical, spiritual and emotional pain, our regimen of pills, tests and treatments, remind us that all life consists of joy, struggles, victories and defeats," the prayer continued.Īlthough the words hadn't changed, somehow it didn't feel the same as an hour before. The goal of the program was to "listen and share our journeys of caring through cancer as one faith-filled community" and, in that moment, there was an overwhelming sense of understanding of each other.Īt the end of the service, the group said the same prayer that started the program. "I see heads nodding with that one," Moore said as he looked around the room after that question. While he said he felt overwhelmed, attendees added that they felt their own range of emotions from scared to angry to "surreal." One woman suggested, "Why not me?" But another in the audience asked, "Why me?" "As we face the unknown and fear of living with cancer, we pray that in doing so, we might find empathy for the struggles of all who suffer," the prayer reads. "You'll never pray the same way again," he said.Īt the start of the service, together the room read a prayer written by Moore. Moore said the way he talks has changed, describing it as more "quirky."ĭanyluk said that even as a caregiver, the way he prays has changed. "I'm not the same," he said, adding that that's OK. ![]() Other times, like at the talk, he said, he feels good - but something's different. Some days, Moore said, he simply makes dinner and he's tired. ![]() People talked about how important it is to remember to pamper and take care of yourself, tips about recording doctor visits so you don't forget what they say, and how to talk to your kids about having cancer. "Every time I walk down the aisle, kiss the altar, turn around and look at the people," Danyluk said, "I'm looking at a field hospital of brokenness."Ĭaring Through Cancer specifically deals with issues cancer survivors know all too well.Īttendees include survivors who have battled cancer multiple times to one woman starting her first round of chemotherapy the next day - she asked the group for advice. Joseph's Ministry provides financial help to people in the parish who are experiencing hard times. The Sanctity of Life Ministry prays for and assists those who are facing life and death issues, Martha Ministry gives meals to those in need, and St. "The visionary mission of the Social Justice Commission is to support Jesus' message of compassion, love and service," the parish's website says. Although they'd been to the hospital countless times as priests, Moore said that going as a cancer patient was an entirely different experience. Moore and Danyluk have been friends for more than 50 years. Rich Danyluk, priest at Holy Name of Mary. "My hope is that all that takes place here, takes place in the context of working towards healing and acknowledging we have a community here," said Fr. The talk, called Caring Through Cancer, was put together by Holy Name of Mary's Health and Wellness Ministry, one of about 90 ministries in the church. "I'm not the same person I was a year ago," he said. He brought out laughs and smiles but never sugarcoated what living with cancer is like, encouraging people to talk about their true feelings. 20, Moore, priest at the parish, led a support group talk on cancer. In a room of about 120 people at Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas, California, on Aug. Bill Moore has come to describe his experience with one word: overwhelming. Los Angeles - Since his prostate and bone cancer diagnosis on March 12, 2017, Fr.
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