Bulletins and Announcements
October 18th
Letter to Parishioners from Fr. Jeff 10/08/20
Hello everybody!
About two months ago, while hiking at Waverly Park, I noticed some numbness and weakness in my lower right leg as I hiked downhill. I was preparing for a backpacking trip to Oregon, which I had to cancel. Having had two previous back surgeries, I recognized right away that the symptoms were related to nerves. Since that time, my symptoms have become more severe, including pain, and are present more often. After x-rays, an MRI, and an epidural shot, my neurosurgeon determined, among other issues, that the joint between my L4 and L5 vertebrae is unstable. I need to have surgery to fuse that joint and relieve the symptoms. The good news is that this doesn’t appear to be a widespread degenerative issue, but related to some trauma to those vertebrae decades ago. Therefore, hopefully the fusion will fix the issue going forward.
My surgery is scheduled for October 21st. Because of Covid-19 testing and quarantine before surgery, I will be out starting on October 19th. It is a more significant surgery than my previous ones and I’ll be in the hospital for 2-4 days and will be very limited for two weeks following. I can have no bending or twisting for the next 4-6 weeks and will then begin physical therapy for an additional six weeks. If all goes well, I should be back to my full range of activity in 3-6 months.
I have immense trust in our staff and clergy to continue the good ministry and work in our parish community while I am out. With the pandemic, we have also grown more accustomed to technology and virtual forms of connecting and communicating. I expect I’ll be able to connect with staff and Parish Council through that technology within a few weeks from surgery. My hope is to return for masses by Christmas at the latest. We have worked out details for coverage and administration. While I am out and as I do now, I will be praying for you everyday.
I trust in God’s providence and know that he is with us all. My growth, already, has been to not view my body as an enemy that needs to be evaluated and conquered, but as integral to my whole person. As such, I have grown in patience, appreciation, and trust for my limitations and am open to new or different possibilities. This has helped me be grateful for God’s many gifts, even for this latest difficulty. It is a special type of communion with Jesus in his own suffering and the pain becomes a sort of prayer offered to God for the good of others. I still sometimes struggle, but am on this journey with God and with you. Thank you, again, for your prayers and support.
8:30 a.m. Mass Returning. Prior to the news of my surgery, we have been planning on returning the 8:30 a.m. Mass. We will do so on November 1. To do so well, we need some additional volunteers to assist after the after the 8:30 a.m. Mass to help clean. Please check the bulletin for more details on how to assist. Special thanks to the Parish Council for their discernment and to all of those who will make this possible.
Please pray for me. God bless you!
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
- Central Louisville Community Ministries is asking for donations of coats for their coat drive, see bulletin for details.
- We are in need of food for our Paula’s Pantry box, see the bulletin for suggested items. We are running low on all items.
Letter to Parishioners from Fr. Jeff 10/08/20
Hello everybody!
About two months ago, while hiking at Waverly Park, I noticed some numbness and weakness in my lower right leg as I hiked downhill. I was preparing for a backpacking trip to Oregon, which I had to cancel. Having had two previous back surgeries, I recognized right away that the symptoms were related to nerves. Since that time, my symptoms have become more severe, including pain, and are present more often. After x-rays, an MRI, and an epidural shot, my neurosurgeon determined, among other issues, that the joint between my L4 and L5 vertebrae is unstable. I need to have surgery to fuse that joint and relieve the symptoms. The good news is that this doesn’t appear to be a widespread degenerative issue, but related to some trauma to those vertebrae decades ago. Therefore, hopefully the fusion will fix the issue going forward.
My surgery is scheduled for October 21st. Because of Covid-19 testing and quarantine before surgery, I will be out starting on October 19th. It is a more significant surgery than my previous ones and I’ll be in the hospital for 2-4 days and will be very limited for two weeks following. I can have no bending or twisting for the next 4-6 weeks and will then begin physical therapy for an additional six weeks. If all goes well, I should be back to my full range of activity in 3-6 months.
I have immense trust in our staff and clergy to continue the good ministry and work in our parish community while I am out. With the pandemic, we have also grown more accustomed to technology and virtual forms of connecting and communicating. I expect I’ll be able to connect with staff and Parish Council through that technology within a few weeks from surgery. My hope is to return for masses by Christmas at the latest. We have worked out details for coverage and administration. While I am out and as I do now, I will be praying for you everyday.
I trust in God’s providence and know that he is with us all. My growth, already, has been to not view my body as an enemy that needs to be evaluated and conquered, but as integral to my whole person. As such, I have grown in patience, appreciation, and trust for my limitations and am open to new or different possibilities. This has helped me be grateful for God’s many gifts, even for this latest difficulty. It is a special type of communion with Jesus in his own suffering and the pain becomes a sort of prayer offered to God for the good of others. I still sometimes struggle, but am on this journey with God and with you. Thank you, again, for your prayers and support.
8:30 a.m. Mass Returning. Prior to the news of my surgery, we have been planning on returning the 8:30 a.m. Mass. We will do so on November 1. To do so well, we need some additional volunteers to assist after the after the 8:30 a.m. Mass to help clean. Please check the bulletin for more details on how to assist. Special thanks to the Parish Council for their discernment and to all of those who will make this possible.
Please pray for me. God bless you!
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
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