September 2, 2021

Hello Everyone! I pray you are safe and are able to maintain some semblance of peace in these turbulent times. I’m going to leave my thoughts on our current anxieties and focus on the virtual ALS Walk. I just registered today after two friends inquired about our team Hope LACORTE. God bless you for your support and love. I wrote the following last year and am just editing the date.

It's time to draw you in to support the virtual ALS WALK on September 25.  Every year I ponder how to do that. Today at mass I heard the Responsorial Psalm Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need. Thank you Lord for assisting me. I thought yes that will be my plea.

What a blessing it is to help any way we can to those less fortunate than ourselves. The blessing of walking, for those that cannot. Being gracious in our gratitude for what we have received. To be able to extend ourselves in ways we might not had we not been touched by a suffering. Lend ourselves to those in need to give hope where there might not be any.

How humbling to be asked to do what costs us nothing really. We are all given so much. In our busyness or our complacency, we might not go where it is tough to go. I'm guilty of it. I'll think of ways to give back, have all intention in stretching myself to the needs of those crying out. Than the reality of our everyday norms keep us from extending the chain of humanity.

One thing is for sure. I've learned from my back to church that my own sense of limitedness is not what my Father is asking of me or of any of us. What He asks is that we give in the ways we can. That what He gave to each and everyone of us in someway will be extended to others. There is such comfort in knowing, that even my littleness can benefit another. In this case, walking for those that cannot walk, talking for those that speak in the silence behind their motionless lips, pleading for a donation for those who cannot humble themselves to reach out a hand to you. I put both my hands out for them, with eyes closed and heart open that you will see their hands, outstretched to you in response to their plea please help me, give me hope, help me to not be afraid.

Come join me and my fellow walkers wherever you decide to walk, the joy will be all yours!

Loretta