St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW parish:

Welcome to the middle of October already!  Soon, it will be time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Time passes too quickly these days.

This coming Monday, October 17^th, will be the 99^th birthday of my mother, a milestone, to say the least.  Lucia Pauline Molloy was born in 1923 in Alton, IL, the 4^th child of my grandparents, Alex and Ethel Zerwas.  She married my dad Joseph on Feb. 19^th, 1949.  They were married for over 63 years, until his death in 2012. 

The highlight of my week is when I get to see my mom on Wednesdays, my day off.  And I usually make a second trip to see her on Sunday afternoons after Mass.  She is the joy of my life. 

She resides in a nursing home in Decatur, where she has lived for the last seven years.  She was only two blocks from me when I was pastor of Holy Family parish.  And that enabled me to see her at least once, if not twice, each and every day. 

I tell you all this because you will never meet her or see her.  She has dementia and is unable to be out of the facility.  She is peaceful and calm.  She has a smile for me each time, but not much verbal communication.  I hold her hand a lot and keep her up on all the happenings at SJW and Decatur.

She has always been the best mom ever.  Since I am an only child, I tell her often that she is my mother and nobody else’s!!!!  And I always say to her that she is the BEST!

May I ask a favor from you?  Could you say a special prayer for my mom this Monday?  She would appreciate it, I know.  That would be the best “gift” you could ever give her.  Thank you!

Your Pastor, Father Joe

P.S.  THANK YOU to all those who filled out a post-it note for me for Pastor Appreciation Day.  What a unique gift—little bottles with touching messages!  I am enjoying reading them all.  I am so grateful for your love and support, and it is my privilege and honor to be your pastor.  May God bless you all and SJW parish!