Greetings of Peace!    As Regional Secretary, I often do not have lots to share with you related to the Region, except for the occasional request to keep me updated on any transfers, etc. for your fraternities.  But because you are also my family, and I go to my family to share happy news, to offer support and to receive support and comfort in not-so-good times, I wanted to tell you about some very good news!

Many of you know that I have been struggling for just over two years with a very rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer.  I thank you all, because it has been your prayers that have sustained me throughout this journey!!  And today I am celebrating, because the doctor told me this morning that my most recent blood work and CT scan confirm that my current chemotherapy  (third round) is definitely working!  Yahoo!  God is good – all the time!

Many of you have joined me in praying for the intercession of Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, a Franciscan Sister of Syracuse, NY, who went to work with the lepers on the island of Molokai, HI in the 1880’s.  I told God that I’d be most happy to be the final miracle that Mother Marianne needs to be declared a saint and to give glory to God.

So, here I am waiting for this miraculous cure, right?  Well, back in December when the cancer had reared its ugly head again and I was discussing my options for a third round of chemo with my doctor, she really helped me to get the correct perspective:  she told me that I was “in a tough spot,” because there is no cure for this cancer, and women who have this rare form of cancer generally are dead before a “third round of chemo” is even a consideration.  Let me assure you, that information gave me cause to pause!

Then she told me that I’m also in “a very good spot,“ because, while most women suffering with this cancer are generally very sick from their cancer, I am not.   I suffer side effects from my chemo treatments (they are very manageable), but I am not sick from the cancer!!   Whoa!

I have to tell you that until my doctor said those words, I had not even considered that fact.  I am NOT sick from my cancer.  I’d been missing God’s miracle all this time!!  So now I continue to pray for Blessed Mother Marianne’s intercession, but I do so with a humbler and more grateful heart.  I get constant little reminders throughout my day to say “Thank you, God!”   God keeps me here, because God has plans for me.  I pray, with the help of your continued prayers, that I may serve God’s family – my family – with joy and that I may be pleasing to God every day.

I am praying for you gratefully and with much love.  May your eyes be opened to all of God’s miracles!

Sue