Dear Readers,
First I want to give everyone who prayed for my husband's family a HUGE THANK YOU!
All the issues are not resolved yet. In fact one family member is very, very ill and needs life saving surgery. She also could use prayers for reconciliation with the Church. I will leave it at that. St. Jude, pray for her.
One family member needs intensive psychological healing and reconciliation with the Church. I will leave it at that. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for him.
But I want to tell you about my mother-in-law. She has had ongoing heart issues and was hospitalized this week. We have been on high alert and every time the phone rings we start to panic. This morning I asked Hubby if his dad had called the priest to anoint his mom. He said he didn't think so. I told him he should encourage his father to call the priest but he said my father-in-law is too shy. (I know! - men!) So I asked Hubby if I could call the parish and arrange to have the priest anoint her. Hubby said OK. Before he could change his mind I grabbed the phone and started dialing.
I was immediately connected to the very kind and efficient parish secretary. I introduced myself and she immediately recognized my last name (the family have been parishioners there for at least 4 generations.) What she didn't know is that I was calling from 4,000 miles away! I made my request and she assured me Father would go to the hospital before the end of the day. I thanked her, hung up and got ready for work.
Then I started to panic a little. My in-laws are of the generation that sees the clerical collar and the Sick Call set and assume that the end is imminent. I begged Hubby to call his father to let him know Fr. R. would be making an appearance at the hospital and that this Sacrament was for healing and strength for the surgery that probably lies ahead. Hubby phoned Dad and he was fine with it. We still had no idea when the priest would actually show up.
When I got home from work there was a message from Dad. All he said was, "This is Dad, please call me when you get home."
Of course we immediately assumed the worst. I practically shoved the phone at Hubby and barked at him to call NOW! He said he needed a minute. I looked at him like "you've GOT to be kidding, right?!" He stood firm. I told him I had to leave because the Novena was starting in a few minutes but I wanted to know what was going on. He said I better go. Then I understood - if he was going to lose it he didn't want me to see it. So I left. With a heavy heart.
We prayed the Novena but my mind wasn't on the intentions which were for those in purgatory today - I kept wondering if I was praying for Mom!
The minute we were done I phoned home and Hubby told me the most amazing story!
Dad and Hubby's sister decided to go to the hospital at a different time than usual today. When they entered Mom's room it was at the same time as Father R ! He introduced himself (he is filling in while the regular priest is away) and took the time to explain that he would be anointing Mom and praying for her and this was NOT the "last rites." My SIL said, "it was just like Mass without Communion." My FIL was comforted by witnessing the Sacrament. My MIL was strengthened mentally and spiritually by Jesus!
Dad had called to thank us for arranging this. And what time do you think the family and priest arrived at Mom's room???? Yes, I think it was around 3:00 PM - the Hour of Mercy!
I want to thank each of you that prayed. Your prayers inspired me to call the priest. Your prayers were part of Divine Providence that had Dad changing his routine (trust me, he is a creature of habit and going at a different time is SO out of character for him!) which in turn provided an occasion of grace to everyone present for the Sacrament.
A few posts ago I credited my mother-in-law for planting the seed for my Divine Mercy devotion. I trust she can see that the plant has borne beautiful fruit. Thank you Jesus. I love you. Jesus, I TRUST IN YOU!
UPDATE: April 18 - My MIL is feeling much improved since yesterday! The doctors adjusted her meds and my step-son phoned her to talk about his kids and it perked her right up. However, my FIL said it best when he told Hubby, "I think it was the anointing that helped." You got that right, Dad!
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