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Seeking help through the Body of Christ
Cancer ministry offers support to all affected
By Bethany Noble, The Catholic Sun
May 3, 2007
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating.
Physical, emotional and spiritual needs arise and those individuals and families affected often feel isolated as their lives dramatically change.
Healing Through the Body of Christ, a cancer outreach ministry, is charged with providing hope, support and resources to individuals and families suffering from the disease.
“Cancer is a grieving process,” said Melissa Veselovsky, director of the ministry. “You are grieving a loss of a lifestyle, the loss of yourself and the loss of relationships. You go through different grieving stages and we try to be there for support in each stage.”
The ministry consists of a network of volunteers who provide one-on-one support, transportation, meals and housework. “We also have volunteers who knit ‘chemo caps’ and sew heart-shaped pillows to comfort people with cancer,” Veselovsky said.
Healing Through the Body of Christ held its annual spiritual renewal retreat April 21 at St. Patrick Parish in Scottsdale. Participants came to support and listen to one another.
Evelyn Sanchez, a hospital chaplain, spoke about what people with cancer experience from the minute they are diagnosed and how loved ones are affected.
“Life is a journey and it is not meant to be a destination. We live in a culture where we are surrounded by materialism, which makes us think about life in the ‘right now,’” Sanchez said.
“As a society we are also obsessed with youth and death becomes the enemy,” she added. “As Christians, we must understand that Christ triumphed over death and because of that, we too will triumph over death. Death brings us to new life.”
Later in the day, the attendees broke into small support groups.
Being centered on Christ is a fundamental part of the ministry.
“When we come together to help each other, we become the real and living Body of Christ,” Veselovsky said, “which in itself is an extension of the Eucharist.”
Veselovsky encouraged anyone affected by cancer to contact the ministry.
“There is so much we can offer in many different areas,” she said. “We focus on each person’s needs, whether they are financial, spiritual or emotional. We want to encourage a sense of hope.”
Oftentimes a survivor who has been helped by Healing Through the Body of Christ will become a volunteer, helping others and giving them the support they need to get through their journey.
Gloria Yturralde and her family turned to the ministry several years ago when she was diagnosed after sarcoma, a cancer of the connective or supportive tissue, invaded her knee.
“It was a tremendous help to me and my family,” she said. Today, Yturralde volunteers her time heading up the ministry at St. Patrick.
In addition to the yearly retreats, Healing Through the Body of Christ hosts an “Afternoon of Humor and Healing” every summer at Corpus Christi Parish in Phoenix.
This year’s event includes a talk by a humorist who wrote several books while going through cancer treatments and some musical entertainment by a Frank Sinatra impersonator.
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