More than 1,200 people from all over the Southland gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Oct. 15 for the first Mass for a Cure for Cancer with a communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick administered by several clergy including San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alex Salazar and St. Bernadette pastor Father Al Roberts, main celebrant.
Organized by fourth-year deacon candidate couple, Mark and Vickie Race, in association with their home parish of St. Bernadette in Los Angeles, ACCW members and Cathedral staff, the Mass surpassed attendance expectations for a first time special event.
"We give honor and thanks to those who have walked before us in their challenge with the disease we talk about today," said Carol Ramirez, a member of the Gabrieleno/Tongva tribe of San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians who spoke before the Mass. Ramirez, a two-year cancer survivor, urged the assembly to listen to the song in their hearts given to them by the Creator to deal with the challenges of cancer.
Cancer survivor Annie Shannon, mother of cancer survivor Vickie Race, cited God's Scriptural promises mentioned in Luke 10:19-20 ("Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents'?). "I'm a 4? year 'overcomer' of breast cancer. Let's stop this, don't be afraid," she declared.
"The big 'C' word is very intimidating and frightening, yet we must remember those words that 'Nothing is impossible for God,'" said Father Roberts in his homily. "We're here to pray for and hope for a cure for cancer. In the last 20-30 years God has empowered mankind to find medicine to come up with treatments for cures and healing. But we must remember where that came from --- that came from God, Our Divine Healer."
Noting the "normal" human reactions of anger and denial in the face of adversity, Father Roberts encouraged congregants suffering from illness to completely put their trust in God. "It is our faith that is the common denominator," he said, "the faith that sustains us in all those difficult times and decisions that you have to make in life.
"Our Lord will continue to challenge us to place our faith and trust in him and knowing that, as he says in the gospel passage, in putting our faith in him, we come to know, believe and accept that nothing is impossible with God."
Before the anointing of the sick, which drew hundreds of people from the pews, Mark Race spoke of his spiritual journey during his wife's diagnosis and treatment. "I learned God works with us in our everyday situations?God is with us in our circumstances and he will strengthen us," proclaimed Race. Before the conclusion of the liturgy, he urged the assembly to lift each other up in prayer.
"If we think of one another daily, we will be together daily, and we will pray together daily," said Race. "Through God, we can beat cancer. One day, we'll remember cancer like we remember polio."
Editor's note: For information on the Oct. 27-29 "Faith, Hope and Charity" Catholic Cancer Ministry retreat at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, call (310) 590-6751 or visit www.faithhopeandcharityccm.com. |