Sign up for Mass 

Chordoma survivor on gratitude after cancer treatment

BY HANK LECH

Recently, I was reflecting on everything that had come up since my chordoma diagnosis and surgery.

In the process, I recalled the F I made on my very first exam in seminary. That F turned out to be something to be thankful for. It motivated me. I ended up doing well in the class and in my other classes.  

Could I be thankful for my cancer diagnosis, surgery and recovery, just as I had been thankful for the F?

What I'm grateful for after cancer treatment
After some reflection, here is what I am thankful for after cancer treatment: 

• I am thankful for family, friends and co-workers who care. Sometimes we forget that friends and family care and are there for us without needing to ask.
• I am thankful for co-workers who took up my responsibilities, checked up on me and cheered me up.
• I am thankful for my daughter who has been a joy and helpful and for her mother who made sure things around the house were cared for.
• Former students, parishioners and others provided me their prayers and support during my cancer treatment. Even people I thought may have forgotten about me were there for me.
• I cannot forget how thankful I am for my seminary classmates and priests who celebrated Mass for me and had the nuns praying.
• I am thankful for the people who were praying for me, even though I did not know them, and how we bonded through this. I learned, again, that prayer does work.
• I am thankful for doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapist as well as other caregivers who comforted me and showed me where the pain pump button was.
• I really appreciate life and every breath even more, especially after planning my funeral -- it would have been a great celebration -- and getting things in order before I had chordoma surgery.
• I am thankful that I can laugh about my cancer journey.
• I am also thankful that I can suffer with those who have cancer and support them as they support me.

Being thankful for both the good and the bad
The F and the cancer were low points in my life, yes, and there are times I am still angry. But we all have those points. 

We have a choice: we can whine and complain (which I did), or we can open up the gift and be thankful.  

I try to be thankful for not only the good things but also the bad. Both are gifts. We need to be thankful and see how we can use the gifts and what they teach us.

For more information

.Silence 06 – When – Communion Rite.  Through the Lord’s Prayer the faithful prepare to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord in Holy Communion.  Following the Invitation “Behold the Lamb of God,” the priest prays quietly before receiving Holy Communion himself.  The faithful do the same, praying silently, silent reflection.  Usually a communion chant accompanies the procession to receive Holy Communion.  When Communion is completed, the whole assembly observe a period of total silence, silent reflection.  In the absence of all words, actions, music, or movement, a moment of deep corporate stillness and contemplation may be experienced.  Such silence is important to the rhythm of the whole celebration and is welcome in a busy and restless world.  This period of deep and tranquil communion before the Priest says “Let us pray.” After the Communion Rite, the Mass closes with a brief Concluding Rite.  Its purpose is to send the people forth to put into effect in their daily lives the Paschal Mystery and the unity in Christ which they have celebrated.   They are given a sense of abiding mission, which calls them to witness to Christ in the world and to bring the Gospel to the Poor.
Throughout the past couple of weeks, we have discovered a number of places in the Mass where there is silence:  break, pause for recollection, silent attentive, and silent reflection (see definitions at Deacon Blog, Silence 01, October 25, 2020). [1]  “The fruit of silence is prayer.  The fruit of prayer is faith.  The fruit of faith is love.  The fruit of love is service.  The fruit of service is peace.” St. Teresa of Calcutta.

A relationship of faith and commitment exists between the Catholic Church and its members and the public, whether they are children, young people, adults or elderly.  Sexual abuse in this context, or any other relationship, is a matter of grave concern.  Knowledge of such abuse requires a special response in order to facilitate the healing process and assure the safety of the community.  With this in mind, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is committed to healing the hurting hearts of sexual abuse victims.  This diocese has established Victim Assistance Coordinators who are experienced and trained counselors.  These coordinators are available to help persons who have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon or other church personnel.  VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATORS: Louis M. Makarowski, Ph.D., P.A., Pensacola/Ft. Walton (850)477-7181; James Gagnon, MSW, LCSW,  Tallahassee/Panama City (850)877-0205; Deacon Santiago Molina, for Spanish speakers - En Espanol, (850)627-2350.
 

Diocesan Abuse Hotline: 850-435-3536