tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378374194261945552024-09-08T06:49:16.216-07:00Broad Street Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235413863973477956noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-337837419426194555.post-10253115985588823492012-10-23T10:54:00.004-07:002012-10-23T10:54:38.566-07:00The Pastor’s Health I am writing this very personal update regarding my health to all of you, because I know how sometimes rumors abound and most of the time filled with inaccurate information. So here is the truth and nothing but the truth as I know it is as of this very moment. During the past few weeks my doctor had me undergo some tests one being a three hour stress test (9/28) which resulted in the need for me to meet with a cardiologist (10/16). Following the consultation with the cardiologist it was decided that I needed to have a heart catherization at CVPH (10/18). The catherization revealed that I have blockage in three main arteries of my heart and stents or bypass surgery are not an option. (Not the news I wanted to hear). With this being stated the doctor is happy that the muscles in my heart are strong and there is no scaring and that it beats very well. The only option for me at this time is to be treated via medicine. This is the opinion of my cardiologist, a surgeon at CVPH and a surgeon at Fletcher Allen. In addition to medicine I will have to make some new health choices in regards to diet, exercise, rest and how I personally manage stress in my life. I have never been a person who has worried about me as much as I worry about helping others and being present to others, especially in my life as a priest. However, I have to learn to practice what I preach and that is: “You can’t be any good to the ones you love if you don’t take care of yourself in the process.” The first thing I asked the doctors is what about my role as the pastor of St. John’s. I was happy that they told me that I can continue as the pastor however, I need to learn to delegate more and not to be afraid to ask for help and realize that sometimes I am just going to have to say: I can’t at this time. So when I say I need help, I really mean I need help. I am going to need much prayer in the days ahead and so I ask that you continue to pray for me. Signing up for an hour of Adoration before the Blessed sacrament would be a great comfort to me knowing that people are praying before our Eucharistic Lord Monday through Friday for my personal health and for more vocations. Since I arrived at St. John’s I have only allowed the celebration of one wedding a weekend because I am only one person and I have to realize that in addition I might have a funeral come up and then you add confessions and the Sunday Mass schedule it makes a very hard schedule for one priest. I am very grateful to Fr. Bill Edwards for his presence here at St. John’s and his generosity to help. However, if a priest gets sick in the diocese and needs coverage he could be asked to assist in the needs of that given parish. Again at this time I am so happy that he is here now to assist me in this, my time of need. Father Cote’s presence in the rectory and generous spirit to help out whenever he can according to his health needs is inspiring to me. With the above being said I have also decided that funerals celebrated on a Saturday can only take place if the deceased has died within that given week. Death is never a convenient moment in any of our lives and planning the funeral cannot always be convenient. Three times in the past few months I have ended up celebrating two funerals, a wedding and then confessions and the Sunday Masses. All of this takes a lot of energy and sometimes energy that I find hard to possess. In all three cases of the Saturdays described above; one of the funerals held was for someone who had passed away longer than a week which forced the families grieving with a death within the week in choosing an hour for a Mass that might not have been convenient to them because others had scheduled funeral services in advance (some cases weeks in advance). I know that this new policy regarding funerals might not be appreciated by all but I am learning that I can only do so much in a given day and if this helps me prolong my life as a priest then this is what I must do. I am so appreciative of the many prayers that have been sent my way in the past few days and I am most appreciative of Fr. Edwards, and Fr. Cote’s priestly presence in addition to our parish trustees and the rectory staff. In these past few days my dad along with my sister, Sarah and my brother-in-law Earl have been at my side in the hospital and the rectory and their love and care has made me very peaceful in all of this process. Please continue to pray for me that I may always strive to be a good priest and true shepherd to those entrusted to my care in every moment wether weak or strong. Blessings Fr. Timothy Broad Street Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235413863973477956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-337837419426194555.post-3631858738253505762011-10-07T10:56:00.000-07:002011-10-07T11:00:06.665-07:00Are you thinking of becoming Catholic ?<br />Are you Catholic but would like to complete the Sacraments of Initiation?<br />Join us Sundays, 12 noon at the Newman Center.<br />Question?- contact Mary Skillan at 561-7545 or mary@broadstreetcatholics.orgBroad Street Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235413863973477956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-337837419426194555.post-67309601695173721102011-10-07T10:51:00.000-07:002011-10-07T10:55:54.354-07:00Christian Formation classes for grades 1-8 are held on Sunday morning from 8:30-9:20am. If you have not signed up your child(ren) it is not too late.<br />Contact Mary Skillan at 561-7545 or mary@broadstreetcatholics.orgBroad Street Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235413863973477956noreply@blogger.com0