Spring is my favourite time of year, hands down. The heat of the day can be managed by simply sitting in the shade. The world is turning green and the spring flowers (tulips!) are beginning to bloom. I am in Southern Alberta Canada so even though it is the beginning of May, we know and expect at least another snowfall or two before the crazy heat of summer really begins. The best thing about right now for me is that I am not longer limited to sitting around the house with only the choice of my chair or couch. Now I am able to spend time outside on the deck where I can see and hear the birds.
Next week am undergoing surgery to remove my appendix and gallbladder. Relatively minor surgery where the biggest concern is post-operative infection. I have Crohn’s colitis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the digestive tract. In an attempt to keep the disease from advancing, I am on a biologic medication (Stelara) that is an immuno-repressant drug which increases both the danger of getting an infection and the severity. It also does not help that my Crohn’s is becoming more active causing multiple symptoms to worsen creating a generally unpleasant situation. But, I look forward to the surgery coming and going so that the challenges that my gallbladder are causing can cease, and the Crohn’s symptoms are once again my biggest contender.
As the disease has worsened, I find my desire to serve others increasing. This may sound completely backwards, but it is consistent with Christ’s teachings and the prophesy spoken over Him to Joseph and Mary that Jesus would be “a sign that will be contradicted” (Luke 2:34). My desire to serve and to fill a need I have experienced within the Church for ministering to those who are suffering have come together to produce “Learning the Way to Calvary.”
While speaking with a friend about my desire to help others and she brought up the idea about reading and giving small commentary on something that would speak to the sick and suffering. I have partaken in many of those podcasts to supplement my own spiritual life and thought this was a good idea. Unlike my normal approach to things that excite me, I have taken my time to develop the idea a bit instead of jumping right in as I am wont to do. So when I stumbled upon the Substack platform that the Pillar uses, I was thrilled! It was a place that would allow me to have all the content I would hope for in one place. I would be able to have the podcast, some written things, and a place for the community to come together in a chat.
Now that I have found the right platform, it is time to start. As mentioned, I have surgery next week so there may be delays in content, as others with chronic illnesses would understand. We do not know what to expect day by day and I have learned to expect the worst and hope for the best.
For the podcast, I will be producing episodes on Saints that you may or may not know and approaching them from the side of their suffering. The inspiration for this comes from the author Joan Carroll Cruz and her book “Saints for the Sick.” Additionally, I will be recording episodes about the book “The Life of Blessed Margaret of Castello, 1287-1320” by Father William Bonniwell O.P. who is now Saint Margaret of Castello (praise God!). I read this book long before I fell severely ill and look forward to sharing the beautiful woman she was with you. To ensure that there isn’t an unpleasant delay in the episodes for this book, I will release them after they are all recorded. This approach I will have for all similar bigger projects.
Other documents will be looked at like letters from the Popes for the World Day of the Sick, encyclicals, and other Church documents. My goal is to demonstrate the beauty of the Church, her Saints, and the documents she produces for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ. Christ speaks and ministers to us through His Bride the Church and my prayer is that Her words may be more available to the sick and suffering through these little projects for the consolation of all.
If you have any requests or suggestions, please let me know! My hope is that this will serve those who need it and the best way I can think to do that is by having an active back and forth with you.
You are in my prayers, God bless!
Lisza
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
