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I just received this from one of my Franciscan sisters.

and all my dear brothers and sisters in Francis,

I am writing to ask you all to please pray for my family. My youngest daughter, Katie, age 26, and her husband, Nick, are expecting their first child. They have known since July that the baby has a serious birth defect, anencephaly, which will cause the baby to either be still born or die shortly after birth.

I can’t begin to express the heartache that this has wrought. We have prayed unceasingly that Katie and Nick enjoy as best they can these months of pregnancy. God has answered our prayers. They have been doing well thus far.

Now it is getting time for the delivery. They are admitting Katie this Sunday eve. They will induce labor. They have two teams prepared. One will care for Katie and the baby. The other team will come from Pittsburgh for the organ donation.

I thank God that Katie and Nick chose to carry this angel to term. I thank God every day for this granddaughter whom they have named Maria. Katie has asked me to baptize the baby soon after birth. What a sacred honor it will be. However, my heart still aches and I fear that I won't be able to do this without sobbing.

So, please storm heaven with and for us. Pray for strength for Katie, Nick, and all of the family. Pray that the delivery and the hours we have with Maria will be joyful and peaceful.

I thank you in advance for your prayers. I am so grateful to God for my Franciscan family.

Peace and joy,


I have omitted the names for privacy reasons but God knows who they are. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. May God Bless all who read this.

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Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Dear God, Please Bless this family and give them the strength for what is yet to come.

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Bob C

Schultzz,

I'll keep them all in my prayers.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Schultzz, continued prayers for all concerned.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

My prayers for all those affected are added.

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

I, too, will pray for this family. May God comfort and bless them all.

Sophie

I will pass these worthy sentiments on to the people involved. Thank you all for your prayers. I am certain they will help a great deal.

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Saying a prayer.

There are photographers who specialize in taking family pictures at such times. My friends who've gone through such things say it's a great comfort. Have they looked into this?

_________________
Rose West
"May God help us not to spoil His work" (Bl. Mother Theresa)

Schultzz,

My prayers for all in your family.

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Ian DC
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary -- Sanctuary and resting-place of the Blessed Trinity where God dwells in greater and more divine splendour than anywhere else in the universe

With my prayers - Joe K.

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- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

Schultzz,

I too shall pray for this family.

God bless you

Graham

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Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians verses 16-18

http://www.stpatricksstafford.co.uk/index.asp

I received this email just now. The family asked me to thank all who offered prayers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Francis:

Katie and Nick's baby girl, Maria, was born this morning at 4:07 am. She was stillborn as we expected. Katie and Nick are doing exceptionally well as are Tom and I and the rest of the family. We can't thank you all enough for the love and prayers that got us through these past five months.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Peace and Joy,

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Prayers for them to keep faith and find strength in Jesus.

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla