Parish News

November 24, 2024

As Catholics, we acknowledge the intrinsic dignity of every human person, from conception until natural death. This means that people have value simply because they are people, not because they are “useful” or “productive.” It is enough to simply exist for human life to be valuable.

With this in mind, we never want to diminish someone’s value because their “quality of life” is different from the norm, whether due to sickness, hospitalization, chronic conditions or even an inability to care for oneself. In all those situations, we still acknowledge and uphold the dignity inherent to every human person as being made in the image and likeness of God.

Scripture reminds us of our value as children of God. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are” (1 John 3:1). If we are all God’s children, then that makes us brothers and sisters with a responsibility to love and care for one another as Christ has loved us. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says further, “Endowed with a ‘spiritual and immortal’ soul, the human person is ‘the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake.’ From conception, we are destined for eternal [life]” (CCC, 1703). This means that God wants us, not to build an army or get a job done, He just wants us. We are valuable simply because we’re His, and this is something that can never be taken from us no matter our state in life.

It’s important to remember our value, not only for the sake of other people but also for ourselves. The way we think about ourselves matters, especially in light of God’s truth for us. How we think about ourselves can change the way we let others treat us or even how we care for ourselves.

~ Fr. Alex Lorang, St. Thomas Parochial Vicar

October 27, 2024

We all must adapt to physical changes as we age. Hair loss, hearing impairment, bladder issues, decreased stamina, joint issues. How we perceive these changes can significantly impact our quality of life. Which change has affected you the most? Which do you fear? Which change is simply something to manage and accept as part of the journey? It is important to listen to your body and accept the changes so you can seek treatment where available. However, I think some changes affect us more deeply because of what they represent. Hair loss for a woman may be a loss of her felt beauty. Incontinence for a man may be viewed as a loss of control over his body and perhaps his life. It’s embarrassing and not always treatable.

Most women have a lifetime feeling loss of control over their bodies. Monthly cycles they don’t control. Pregnancy impacting their body. Menopause resulting in additional physical changes in midlife. Women are continually adapting to the physical changes their bodies go through. Aging brings additional change requiring adjustment.

But for men, physical changes in the second half of life, may be the first time they have experienced significant body change. Incontinence, changes in sleep patterns, losing muscle mass and hearing or hair loss are perhaps blows to a man’s perception of himself. As men age, it is harder to hold onto the masculine norms of strength, self-reliance and self-control.

Many writers encourage women to honor their bodies. To care for them intentionally. To love the body we are given. Perhaps it is time to use the same language with men. Respect the years your body has taken you through. Honor it for still being here to engage with life. It is the only one you have. Care for it. Respect it. Find ways to manage or treat it. It is your body. But it is not the only thing you are. It is not your soul.

~ Nancy Kratz PhD, St. Thomas Wellness and Ministry Coordinator

September 29, 2024

Living and aging cannot be separated. Contrary to TV commercials, aging is not a disease to be cured. Attributing physical decline to age rather than illness perpetuates the negative stereotype of older people as frail and debilitated.

We assume that having an active old age requires being free of any impairment. But today older individuals cope with chronic illness better than in the past thanks to modern medicine and the adoption of healthier lifestyles. They ask “How do I keep doing the things I want to do?” Maybe I’m slower. Maybe I need those magnifying glasses for crafting. Maybe my bike now has 3 wheels.

Not dealing with aging, is not dealing with living, and postpones addressing health and living issues that could lead to helpful interventions, products, or services. For example, exercise is associated with improving-even preventing- cognitive decline. Becoming physically active at any point substantially reduces the likelihood of becoming seriously ill or physically disabled later. It appears it is never too late to start a healthy habit.

Even more surprising is the research linking people’s perceptions of aging and their health and behavior. Positive attitudes towards aging are associated with better functional health, greater ability to recover from severe disability, and a longer life span.  Those without the positive attitude are less likely to exercise or seek healthcare and die earlier. Our perceptions influence our lifestyle choices.

And remember, as Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling reminds us, even though “the body you inhabit is changing”, we can always find peace knowing that Christ is always with us, and is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.

Nancy Kratz, PhD, St. Thomas Wellness and Ministry Coordinator

September 8, 2024

In an August Homily, Fr. Alex talked about the psychological theory that we move through life holding onto schemas, or ways of looking at the world. If I’ve had a hard life, I might view life as a perpetual struggle, or as a gift, for I managed to survive my challenges. How do we view getting older? Do we carry around the schema that older age will be a challenge and a series of losses and regrets? Can we view aging as an opportunity to fulfill dreams, give back or grow closer to God?

A recent perusal of books on aging resulted in a variety of labels to put on our aging choices: perhaps we can “embrace aging,” have “active” aging versus passively allowing it to happen to us. Authors suggest “aging faithfully,” “aging with grace” and “healthy aging.”

Ashton Applewhite, in her book “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto against Ageism,” suggests we ditch the labels altogether, for the moment we are born, we are all getting older. When someone younger says “You look great for your age!” she suggests you return the comment with “You look great for your age too!”

God doesn’t care how old we are, he continues to have a purpose for us. David was chosen to be a king when he was a boy. Abraham and Sarah had children when they were very old.

This bulletin series is offered as an opportunity to consider your views on getting older. How do I view aging and God’s plan for me in the last half or quarter of my life? What can I do in my 20s or 50s to help create a meaningful older age? What does the Catholic Church teach about our value as we age, and the importance of leaving a legacy? And finally, how do I view the step into eternity? Welcome to “Aging with Intention and Faith.” Articles will be found in the printed bulletins and on the website at stapostle.org.

~ Nancy Kratz, Ph.D. St. Thomas Wellness Coordinator

~ Fr. Alex Lorang, St. Thomas Parochial Vicar

Join us for the first guest speaker of the series, Larisa Alonso, MS, LN, CNS, who will present “Aging Gracefully, Aging Healthily” Tuesday, October 8, from 11:00 am–12:30 pm. Click here for more details. To register contact Nancy Kratz at nkratz@stapostle.org or 630.355.8980, x104