Saint Catherine of Siena May 29, 2016 Weekly Bulletin The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ The Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer & Dominican Friars —869 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10065 411 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065 Call 212.744 .2080 or visit www.svsc.info mass schedule Saint Vincent Ferrer Sunday Masses Saturday: 5:30 pm Vigil Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am (sung), noon (solemn), 5:30 pm (sung) Daily Masses M– F: 8:00 am, 12:10 pm, 6:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am confession times M–F: 5:20 pm – 5:50 pm Wednesday: 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm Saturday: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm adoration of the blessed sacrament Wednesday: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Saint Catherine of Siena Sunday Masses Saturday: 5:15 pm Vigil (sung) Sunday: 9:00 am, noon (solemn), 5:15 pm (sung) Daily Masses M– F: 7:00 am, noon, 5:15 pm Saturday: noon confession times Monday– Saturday: 11:30 am – 11:55 am 4:40 pm – 5:05 pm adoration of the blessed sacrament Sunday: 11:00 am – 11:45 am m e m o r i a l d ay On May 30th, there will be one Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer at 9:00 am, and one Mass at St. Catherine of Siena at noon. St. Vincent Ferrer will open at 8:20 am, and then close for the day after the 9:00 am Mass. St. Catherine of Siena will close after the noon Mass. The parish offices will be closed in observance of the holiday. vo l u n t e e r a p p r e c i a t i o n pa r t y Thursday, June 2nd. Party for Parish Volunteers in the Priory Parlors following the 6 pm Mass. We look forward to seeing you! s e c o n d c o l l e c t i o n , j u n e 5 Next weekend our parish will take up the annual Collection for Catholic Missions Among Black and Indian People. Our financial contribution helps to support Catholic American Indian communities on reservations, in rural areas, and inner cities. This collection also supports African American evangelization programs particularly in the south. Please be generous. l e t ’ s h e l p t h e l i t t l e s i s t e r s o f t h e p o o r , l e t ’ s h e l p t h e e l d e r l y The volunteers of the Social Concerns Committee are collecting toiletries specifically needed by the elderly in the care of the Sisters at the Jeanne Jugan Residence in the Bronx. At present there are 8 men, 41 women and 13 Sisters in residence. These basic items, which are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, are in great demand: Moisturizing Body Wash Shampoo and Conditioner Shaving Cream After Shave Lotion Pocket-Sized Facial Tissues Mouthwash Efferdent Fixodent Dove Soap Deodorant Our Committee will prepare “care” baskets which will be given to the residents by mid-June. And, if we receive enough donations, we can make appropriate baskets for the wonderful Sisters. Donations can be brought to the Parish Office during the day or left at the Security Desk in the vestibule of the Church. If you prefer to give cash or checks (made payable to St. Wednesday: 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm p u r g at o r i a l s o c i e t y Vincent Ferrer Church with a Thursday: 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm Parish Contacts and Office Hours Parish office address: 869 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10065 Parish office hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Each Friday, the noon Mass at St. Catherine of Siena is offered for the deceased enrolled in the St. Catherine’s Purgatorial Society. Enrollment of a deceased family member or friend is available in the church office for $35. notation “for the elderly poor”), we will be happy to do the shopping for you. We thank you in advance for your generosity and look forward to an overwhelming response to this appeal.
Transcript
Saint Catherine of Siena
May 29, 2016 Weekly Bulletin The
Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
The Parish of
Saint Vincent Ferrer & Dominican Friars —869 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10065
411 Eas t 68 th S t r e e t , New York , NY 1 0 0 6 5 C a l l 2 1 2 .7 4 4 . 2 0 8 0 or v i s i t w w w . s v s c . i n f o
mass schedule Saint Vincent Ferrer Sunday Masses Saturday: 5:30 pm Vigil Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am (sung), noon (solemn), 5:30 pm (sung) Daily Masses M– F: 8:00 am, 12:10 pm,
adoration of the blessed sacrament Wednesday: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saint Catherine of Siena Sunday Masses Saturday: 5:15 pm Vigil (sung) Sunday: 9:00 am, noon (solemn), 5:15 pm (sung) Daily Masses M– F: 7:00 am, noon, 5:15 pm Saturday: noon
confession times Monday– Saturday:
11:30 am – 11:55 am 4:40 pm – 5:05 pm
adoration of the blessed sacrament Sunday: 11:00 am – 11:45 am
m e m o r i a l d ay On May 30th, there will be one Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer at 9:00 am, and one Mass at St. Catherine of Siena at noon. St. Vincent Ferrer will open at 8:20 am, and then close for the day after the 9:00 am Mass. St. Catherine of Siena will close after the noon Mass. The parish offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
vo l u n t e e r a p p r e c i a t i o n pa r t y Thursday, June 2nd. Party for Parish Volunteers in the Priory Parlors following the 6 pm Mass. We look forward to seeing you!
s e c o n d c o l l e c t i o n , j u n e 5 Next weekend our parish will take up the annual Collection for Catholic Missions Among Black and Indian People. Our financial contribution helps to support Catholic American Indian communities on reservations, in rural areas, and inner cities. This collection also supports African American evangelization programs particularly in the south. Please be generous.
l e t ’ s h e l p t h e l i t t l e s i s t e r s o f t h e p o o r , l e t ’ s h e l p t h e e l d e r l y The volunteers of the Social Concerns Committee are collecting toiletries specifically needed by the elderly in the care of the Sisters at the Jeanne Jugan Residence in the Bronx. At present there are 8 men, 41 women and 13 Sisters in residence. These basic items, which are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, are in great demand:
Moisturizing Body Wash Shampoo and Conditioner Shaving Cream After Shave Lotion Pocket-Sized Facial Tissues Mouthwash Efferdent Fixodent Dove Soap Deodorant
Our Committee will prepare “care” baskets which will be given to the residents by mid-June. And, if we receive enough donations, we can make appropriate baskets for the wonderful Sisters. Donations can be brought to the Parish Office during the day or left at the Security Desk in the vestibule of the Church. If you prefer to give cash or checks (made payable to St.
Wednesday: 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm p u r g at o r i a l s o c i e t y Vincent Ferrer Church with a Thursday: 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Parish Contacts and Office Hours Parish office address: 869 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10065 Parish office hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Each Friday, the noon Mass at St. Catherine of Siena is offered for the deceased enrolled in the St. Catherine’s Purgatorial Society. Enrollment of a deceased family member or friend is available in the church office for $35.
notation “for the elderly poor”), we will be happy to do the shopping for you. We thank you in advance for your generosity and look forward to an overwhelming response to this appeal.
pa r i s h directory and i n f o r m at i o n w e l c o m e to the pa r i s h of s a i n t v i n c e n t f e r r e r a n d s a i n t c at h e r i n e of s i e n a
r e g i s t r at i o n Please register as a member of our parish if this is where you regularly attend mass. Registration forms are available in the parish office. To become a parishioner, call the parish office. s a c r a m e n t o f b a p t i s m Participation in a baptism preparation class is mandatory for infant baptism. Baptism preparation class is usually held at St. Vincent Ferrer on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 pm, and at St. Catherine of Siena on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Please call the parish office to register for this free class or for more information. c o n f e s s i o n s c h e d u l e Refer to the cover of the bulletin for the schedule, or call to request an appointment. s a c r a m e n t s o f f i r s t h o ly c o m m u n i o n a n d f i r s t r e c o n c i l i at i o n Youth participate in the sacramental preparation program coordinated by Dolores Getcher at St. Vincent Ferrer, and Lisa Harrelson, the Director of Catechesis at St. Catherine of Siena. Typically, youth receive these sacraments during their second grade year. Contact Dolores Getcher at 212.861.2566, or 212.988.8300, ext. 186 at St. Catherine of Siena for more information. s a c r a m e n t o f c o n f i r m at i o n Youth participate in the sacramental preparation program coordinated by Dolores Getcher at St. Vincent Ferrer, and Lisa Harrelson, the Director of Catechesis at St. Catherine of Siena. Contact Dolores Getcher at St. Vincent Ferrer, or Lisa Harrelson at St. Catherine of Siena for more information. Each Winter the “Upper Room” program prepares Catholic adults for Confirmation. Call the Parish office for more information. s a c r a m e n t o f m a r r i a g e Arrangements are to be made by calling the parish office at least six months in advance. It is necessary to book your wedding date with the parish office prior to booking a reception hall. Contact the pastor for more information. s a c r a m e n t o f a n o i n t i n g o f t h e s i c k Please notify the parish office if you or someone you know will be hospitalized or confined at home and would like to be anointed by a priest. r i t e o f c h r i s t i a n i n i t i at i o n o f a d u lt s ( r c i a ) RCIA is an inquiry class for those interested in learning more about the faith, whether baptized or non-baptized, as well as those adults who desire to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. Please call Fr. Jonah at St. Catherine’s at 212.988.8300, ext. 182, or Mary Schwarz at St. Vincent Ferrer at 212.734.9758 or email [email protected] for more information. r e l i g i o u s e d u c at i o n f o r c h i l d r e n Religious education for Levels 1-5. For information and/or registration for classes held from September to May at St. Vincent Ferrer, please contact Mrs. Dolores
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a hands-on religious education program through which children learn about the Bible, Catholic Liturgy, and Sacraments. Please contact Lisa Harrelson, Director of Catechesis and Youth Ministry, at 212.988.8300, ext. 186, or [email protected], for more information. Ignite Middle School Youth Ministry is a Confirmation formation and continuing religious education program for ages 10-14. Please contact Lisa Harrelson, Director of Catechesis and Youth Ministry, at 212.988.8300, ext. 186, or [email protected], for more information.
Getcher at 212.861.2566.
d i r e c t o r y Parish Office: 212.744.2080 Fax: 212.327.3011 Parish Website: www.svsc.info Parish E-mail: [email protected] V. Rev. Walter Wagner, O.P., Pastor Rev. Joseph Allen, O.P., Vicar Rev. Jonah Pollock, O.P., Vicar and Associate Director of dfhcmny
Rev. Innocent Smith, O.P., Vicar Bro. Damian McCarthy, O.P. Sacristan Deacon John M. Powers Lee Ann Rubino Business Manager Dolores Getcher Child Education St. Vincent Ferrer Lisa Harrelson Director of Catechesis and Youth Ministry St. Catherine of Siena Rachel Miller Administrative Coordinator and Assistant to the Pastor Mark Bani Music Director & Organist St. Vincent Ferrer James Wetzel Organist and Choirmaster St. Catherine of Siena Mary Schwarz Adult Education St. Vincent Ferrer Dominican Shrine of Saint Jude Office: 212.249.6067 Dominican Shrine of Saint Jude website: www. dominicanshrineofsaintjude.org
dfhcmny office: 212.988.8303 St. Vincent Ferrer High School: 212.535.4680
from fat h e r wa lt e r , o.p., pastor Where From Here? I cannot think of a time holding more gut level promise than Memorial Day. This weekend opens a vista of freedom. Somehow Summer grants us permission to alter rhythms otherwise de rigeur. The dispensations of the season address something deeper than human weakness. From the shore, the Great Meadow, and the barbecue comes a message to be heeded by the wise; real leisure affirms work, and relaxation makes sense of discipline. In the time of rest, I perceive the gift of my labor. If this wisdom applies in our personal lives, it also speaks to our communal needs. Fair to say, the rigors of merger did not allow our parish much of a summer in 2015, and I hope we may address that deficit this year. For us, summer of 2016 will not offer a cessation of work, but the sabbatical that comes from different work. The cycle of meetings and gatherings goes into hiatus so that we can ponder the full array of needed growth stretching across our horizon. All of our Summer projects will aim at making us more truly a part of Christ’s Body, the Church. In the quiet of the months ahead, we seek 1) To move forward in divine worship. Growth comes in chapters, each suited to time and circumstance. Our worship has been supported invaluably through the experience of instrumental and choral virtuosity. Our organists and choristers have set a high bar for us to match as we now develop the vocal and auditory participation of the People at Mass. The work of shared listening and singing will not fail to deepen the Community of the Parish in the substantive ways that matter. Growth like this never rejects what has gone before but relies on it for a foundation. In this context, let me update you on the Music Director search. We posted our job description and received around fifty applications. Of these we interviewed five in a conventional way. We then invited three back to play for us, and also to teach us several pieces of music. It now falls to me to decide this matter. 2) To implement, beginning July 2, our new schedule of Masses. This united plan of worship offers us the potential of becoming more corporately united as a parish. It also gives us the opportunity to work in concert with St. John Nepomucene and so manifest the Body of Christ in this neighborhood. This is a real, heaven sent chance not to be defensive, territorial, or fearful, but to recognize that the conscious pursuit of the common good opens us to God’s blessings. All around us the world becomes more connected; for the Church this
means that culture and technology now help her grow into the fullness of herself as a communion of souls. 3) To follow through on our registration drive. This will mean marshaling the electronic data that will allow us to be in better contact with the whole parish. We also look for the opportunity to reach out to those who indicated special interests on the registration form. If you have not yet registered, please become more part of us by doing so. 4) To develop, as previously mentioned, a plan for the governance of the parish, so that we can give final form to the work of our Parish Trustees, Finance Council, and Parish Council. 5) To develop a comprehensive plan for religious formation in the parish. We have a lot of riches here waiting to be synthesized into a life-giving whole. 6) To prepare a celebration of the Jubilee of the Dominican Order. On December 22 of this year the Order turns 800. This fall will offer our parish the chance to honor the occasion by enhancing its Dominican character. What better way to do this than by a thoroughgoing examination of our life. As we go forward we want to make sure that our parish governance, patterns of celebration, modes of study, and style of socializing remain firmly attached to the rich and challenging heritage that nourished the parish from its beginning. The Dominican way of life is shared by Friars, cloistered nuns, active sisters, and laywomen and men. It takes a distinctive perspective on the Gospel from St. Dominic, and applies into all of the Church’s states of life. It will not fail to foster a balanced, communitarian, and simple common life for us. I usually take a summer sabbatical from these letters. But this summer I will stay at the task of keeping you duly informed of developments in all of the foregoing.
Summer Peace!
Fr. Walter, o.p.
j o i n us i n p r ay e r s a i n t v i n c e n t f e r r e r m a s s Intentions s u n d ay , m ay 2 9 The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
s a i n t c a t h e r i n e o f s i e n a m a s s Intentions s u n d ay , m ay 2 9 The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
pa r i s h p r ay e r Requests Contact the Parish Office at 212.744.2080 or e-mail [email protected] to add a name to this list. Christopher Heath, Monica Farren, Rev. Chris
5:30 pm (Vigil) † Tom Bittner 5:15 pm (Vigil) † Harold C. Albert, Sr. Johnson, O.P., Helen Johnson, John Kelly, 8:00 am † Christopher Dominiak 10:00 am For the People of the Parish noon † Leona Wicklow 5:30 pm † Samantha Paige Hackett
m o n d ay , m ay 3 0 Weekday 9:00 am For the intention of Aiofe Dolan 12:10 pm No Mass 6:00 pm No Mass
t u e s d ay , m ay 3 1 Weekday 8:00 am For the intention of Lynn
Marquez 12:10 pm † Petronila J. Cruz 6:00 pm † Richard & Frances Reynolds
w e d n e s d ay , j u n e 1 Weekday 8:00 am † For the Deceased members of
the Kirby family 12:10 pm † Marie & Jack Powers 6:00 pm † Ita O’Connell
t h u r s d ay , j u n e 2 Weekday 8:00 am † For the Deceased of the Parish
& the Order 12:10 pm † Frank T. Powers 6:00 pm † Benjamin S. & Yoland L.
Tioseco
f r i d ay , j u n e 3 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 8:00 am † Bart & Bridget McGovern 12:10 pm † Joseph Marena 6:00 pm † Marjorie & Charles Barrett
s at u r d ay , j u n e 4 Weekday 8:00 am † James & Irene M. Clarke 5:30 pm † Antonio Pagnotta & John
Pagnotta
9:00 am For the patrons of the Shrine of Saint Jude
noon For the People of the Parish 5:15 pm † Leonardo C. Hernandez
m o n d ay , m ay 3 0 Weekday 7:00 am No Mass noon For the Province of St. Joseph 5:15 pm No Mass
t u e s d ay , m ay 3 1 Weekday 7:00 am Peter Molloy noon Dominick Musico 5:15 pm Leonila Rogue
w e d n e s d ay , j u n e 1 Weekday 7:00 am Cormac Doyle noon Jim Downey 5:15 pm Franziska & John Koestner
t h u r s d ay , j u n e 2 Weekday 7:00 am Mrs. Padilla noon † Juanita Bustria 5:15 pm Valentina Marchenko
f r i d ay , j u n e 3 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 7:00 am † St. Catherine of Siena
s at u r d ay , j u n e 4 Weekday noon Edward Ruettiger 5:15 pm Joseph Squeri
James Leung, Tina Lordan, Sarah McDermott, Stephen Osso, Pauline Ramsey, Frank Skerletts, & Neel Stallings. p l e a s e p r ay f o r t h e r e p o s e of the souls of Marijana Bego, Lawrence Castillo, Leolin Castillo, Dolores Goettisheim, Fr. Gene Hazewksi, Ruth Elizabeth Linnehan, Reina Russell, & Carl Tiedemann, II, and the souls of all our recently deceased. As is our mission, we continue to pray for the sick, the dying, and their families in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Rockefeller University Hospital. c a n d l e Intentions The seven-day candles, which burn in the lamps before the tabernacle and the Madonna at the entrance of the sanctuary, and at the Pieta in St. Vincent Ferrer are available for an offering of $15 each. These lamps are both an act of devotion and a source of beauty in our church. s a n c t u a r y l a m p s – s t . v i n c e n t f e r r e r Rene Concepcion (d) Ramon & Fernando Gonzalez (l) Living & Deceased members of the McGovern Family William J. Schwede (d) Intention of Donor Intention of Donor Special Intention s a n c t u a r y m a d o n n a Jack Ryan Keegan (l) p i e ta l a m p Well-being of Christians in the Middle East s a n c t u a r y l a m p s – s t . c a t h e r i n e o f s i e n a The Sanctuary Lamp and the Blessed Virgin Mary Candle at St. Catherine of Siena burn for the intentions of any parishioner or in memory of any of our deceased. The offering is $15.00 for one week, Sunday through Saturday. The
mass intentions can be reserved in the parish office monday through friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and in the church office of st. catherine of
siena monday through friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Blessed Virgin Mary Candle is lit for Priscila S. Ventigan.
t o d d l e r p l ay g r o u p Registration is now in progress for the September 2016 - June 2017 session of our St. Jean’s Toddler Play Group. Space is available in the Monday - Wednesday 10:45 am Group and the Tuesday - Thursday 10:45 am Group. Children from 18 months to 4 years are welcome. We offer a loving atmosphere where the little ones can come and have their first school experience, making new friends and learning how nice it can be to go to school. Call the Director, Pauline Rednock, at 212-472- 2853, ext 2 for more information and to arrange a visit.
a r c h c a r e c a r e n av i g at i o n c e n t e r : r e s o u r c e s f o r s e n i o r s Need help caring for yourself or someone else but not sure where to turn? ArchCare, the healthcare system of the Archdiocese of New York has a Care Navigation Center staffed by health and social service professionals dedicated to helping people better understand and accesss the services for which they are eligible. Call 855-951-2273 between 8 am and 8 pm seven days a week.
t u i t i o n - f r e e j o b t r a i n i n g The Grace Institute helps women transtion back into the workforce. We teach the technical and
professional skills that are in demand. We offer: five months of tuition-free computer and professional training (HRA-approved site), one year of job-placement services in administrative and customer-support positions, workshops with corporations and executives, Participant Assistance Program, a community of collaboration and confidence. Attend an Open House and learn more! Tour our classrooms, meet the staff and learn more about the application process. We are located at 40 Rector Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10006. Please visit our website to register for an Open House, www.graceinstitute.org. We can be contacted at 212-832-7605, or by email at [email protected].
a n g e l i c a w o m e n ’ s c h a m b e r c h o i r Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, Angelica Women’s Choir, directed by Marie Caruso, will present “Rise Up, My Love”: Songs Celebrating the Many Facets of Love, at St. Vincent Ferrer on Saturday, June 5th, at 3:00 pm. The program features beautiful sacred and secular songs from the twelth century to the present. Joining Angleica are guest artists Rex Benincasa on percussion and Troy Messenger on crumhorn and recorder. Suggested Donation: $20; $10 seniors and students.
st. catherine of siena Regular Offertory: $ 3 , 4 0 5 . 6 7
Attendance: 3 7 1
The Cardinal’s Appeal Supports
WORKS OF CHARITY with $2.5 MILLION
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—Matthew 5:4
ANSWER GOD’S CALL to serve our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate. In the Beatitudes, Jesus reminds us what it is to be a disciple of God, to act with mercy, compassion, and love.
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Re f l e c t i o n s on E th i c s , Fai th & Hea l th Care editor: fr. jon ah pollock, o .p., s.t.l.
health care and hope: Part 1 By Fr. Jonah Pollock, O. P., S.T.L., Associate Director, Dominican Friars Health Care Ministry of New York
the sick can also find hope in the many works of according to j.r.r. tolkien , author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, there are two kinds of hope. These two kinds of hope are expressed by two different words in an Elvish language Tolkien invented. The words are amdir and estel. Both words can be translated by the English word ‘hope’ but they have different meanings. Tolkien defines amdir as “an expectation of good, which, though uncertain, has some foundation in what is known.” Amdir is akin to optimism, expecting good things based on evidence or experience. When, in a time of drought, a man calls the appearance of dark clouds “a hopeful sign,” he is expressing amdir, an expectation of good based on what he has observed. Estel is more like trust. As one of Tolkien’s characters expresses it, estel “is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and first being ... [as] the Children of the One.” Estel is hope in God. For some of Tolkien’s characters, it is an explicit hope in the divine creator. For others, it is an implicit trust that good will ultimately prevail. Unlike amdir, estel is not based on experience of the world. It is based on who God is and who we are as God’s children. Thus, even when amdir is lost, when all worldly experience points toward evil, estel need not be defeated. For it is based on something deeper that worldly experience: our identity as God’s children.
t o l k i e n ’ s d i s t i n c t i o n between amdir and estel can help us understand what it means for us to have hope, especially when we or our loved ones suffer illness or injury. One of our goals as health care providers and ministers to the sick and dying is to bring hope. We want to encourage our patients and lift the spirits of those who suffer. Tolkien’s distinction between amdir and estel can help us to recognize the different ways in which we can do that.
one way we can inspire hope in the sick and suffering is by showing them the good things that are possible. Doctors do this when they emphasize the positive outcomes that can result from treatments or procedures. They also inspire hope by their own competency. Having a reputation for excellence and high rates of success gives patients confidence. Other caretakers inspire hope by encouraging the sick person to focus on the positive or providing examples of successful outcomes.
i count myself bles sed to be able to encourage people in this way. I am a survivor of brain cancer and have sometimes, in the course of my ministry, found it opportune to share my story with patients I have visited. Very often, they find in my story a new reason to hope. Seeing that I have made a successful recovery, they are encouraged in the belief that they can too.
healing that have been performed by the power of God in ways that defy human understanding. The Lord Jesus accomplished countless miracles of healing. In this way, He inspired great hope and more and more people came to him seeking to be cleansed from their ailments and afflictions. Many more healing miracles have been performed by the power of His Spirit that is constantly at work in His Church. The sick rightly see these works of healing as a reason to hope. Through their prayers and the prayers of their loved ones, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints, God can and often does accomplish mighty works of healing.
this kind of hope is what Tolkien’s elves would call amdir. It is the expectation of good results based on worldly experience. This kind of hope is very important for the effective care of the sick. It is important for the emotional well-being of patients and their loved ones that they are able to stay positive by hoping for good outcomes. It is also important for bringing about those good outcomes. When a patient has hope, the patient will be more likely to positively cooperate in his or her own health care.
amdir hope is good and important and we do well to cultivate this hope in ourselves and seek to inspire it in others. But hope, in this sense, can be false. A person has false hope when he or she is deceived or uninformed about the possibility of recovery or healing. A person can also be in denial about the information with which he or she has been presented. Another example of false hope would be the presumptuous expectation of miraculous healing. Amdir hope can be false. What is more, it can be lost. Such is the case when a sick person’s death becomes immanent or when treatment options are exhausted and it is no longer sensible to hope for recovery.
so then, amdir hope is good and to be encouraged, but it can be false and it can be taken away. Estel hope, trust in God, which cannot be false or taken away, will be the subject of Part II of this reflection.
st. catherine of siena priory | 411 east 68th street, ny c | 212.988.8303 | www .dfhcmny .org
