Father Palka's Blog

 I am passing on to you this information about the Mother Superior of the Filiae Laboris Mariae, the Sisters to whom I am chaplain. They pray for you, please pray for them, too! —Fr. Palka

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+JMJ+

Dear Family and Friends of the Filiae,

Praised be Jesus and Mary! We pray that you are well in this month of October, a month especially dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.

Mother Maria Regina has asked me, in my role as convent nurse, to write to share some news with you about her health and to ask for your prayers. On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Mother discovered a lump on her breast. This led to a series of medical tests and visits to see doctors. Yesterday we received a biopsy result that confirmed that Mother does have breast cancer.

This is unexpected and difficult news for all of us. It is still early in the process of diagnosis and we are still gathering information. However, there are some hopeful signs that the cancer is in a fairly early stage. The biopsy did indicate that this seems to be a somewhat aggressive form of cancer, but more tests are needed to determine what treatments may be effective and how likely the cancer is to respond to them. We expect to make an appointment with an oncologist this week. Mother asked that everyone please pray for her and for our community to correspond with all of the graces that Our Lord wishes to give to us through this trial. She has encouraged us to thank God for entrusting to us a sliver of His Holy Cross. We know that somehow this fits into God’s mysterious plan for the good of Mother, all of us Sisters, and the souls for whom we pray, especially priests. We thank Him, even through our tears!

As we learn more about Mother’s condition, we will be sure to keep you updated. Thank you very much for your prayers for Mother and for our community. Be assured of our prayers for all of you. We ask that you please pray especially for our Sisters preparing to make their Professions on November 15th: Sister Maria Gratia of the Holy Eucharist (Perpetual Profession) and Sister Marietta of Jesus (First Profession). Thank you!

In Corde Mariae,

Sister Joanna Marie of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, F.L.M.