Dear Friend,
Our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers often tell me that more than anything, they don’t want to become a burden to their younger Brothers. In particular, they don’t want to become a distraction that negatively impacts the work that we do, work they’ve dedicated their lives to.
Even in their twilight years, they remain dedicated to teaching young people and fostering their true human and spiritual formation, just as the founder of The Marist Brothers, St. Marcellin Champagnat did over 200 years ago.
Many of our Brothers fear becoming burdens to our religious community. We certainly don’t consider them burdens. Rather, they’re each a continuing blessing.
But the fact remains, as Brothers age, they require special accommodation and care if they are to live out their years in basic comfort and dignity.
And the cost of this care can be staggering, as you may know from your own family experience.
People have told me over the years that if you need help, all you have to do is ask. If you don’t ask, you won’t be helped.
That’s why I sent you the nickels. It’s a way of asking you for help. Of course, these nickels alone won’t help much—but if you include a charitable offering when you send them back , they can help a great deal.
We are no longer able to keep up with these ever-increasing medical costs on our own. The Brothers and I are praying that you will help us pay for the some of the care our elderly and disabled Brothers require.
Although time has taken a heavy toll on the Brothers’ health and well-being, most are still determined to continue their lives of service—but it is in a different way.
Some senior Brothers are able to tutor young people at one of our Marist schools, while others volunteer in the community. Sadly though, some are unable to care for themselves at all. And as each year passes, more and more Brothers are faced with this same situation.
The cost of hiring nurses and other physical therapy staff, as well as the costs associated with doctors’ visits and the expensive medical care often required by our frailest Brothers has taken a heavy toll on our finances, which in turn can threaten our work as educators and counselors.
The following are just a few of the day-to-day needs for providing adequate accommodation to our senior Brothers:
- A medical wheelchair
- A geriatric air mattress
- An electric hospital bed
- A rolling walker
The cost of these and more extensive medical needs, such as hospitalization, can be overwhelming!
That’s why a contribution by a caring person, like you, would be such a blessing. Your charity will help ease the burden placed upon our community and allow our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers to maintain their dignity and self-esteem.
People have told me over the years that if you need help, all you have to do is humbly and honestly ask. If you don’t ask, you won’t be helped.
Won’t you please find it in your heart to support the compassionate care of our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers by sending back your gift in the envelope I’ve enclosed? Your contribution will help us to provide for our Brothers in their twilight years.
Please respond today if you can!
I assure you your kindness will be appreciated by all of our Brothers. I left some room on the response slip for you to fill in any special intentions you might have. Your intentions will be remembered and prayed for daily by all of our Marist Brothers.
Dear Friends,
Br. Hugh Turley, FMS, has been coping with serious medical issues during the past year and has decided to step down as the day-to-day Director of Senior Brothers. Read more…
God Bless You for caring,
Br. Dan O’Riordan
Director, Senior Brothers
