Cynthia West is 62 and resides at Echelon Care and Rehab Center, Voorhees. She was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at age 55, and after progressing rapidly, she became a permanent wheelchair user. Although she struggles to communicate verbally and has significant physical limitations, her mind is sharp and her faith is deep.
In the past few years, Cynthia deeply longed to build a personal relationship with Christ. The opportunity surfaced one day as she watched ministers from Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gibbsboro, visit Catholic patients at the nursing home. She observed her fellow residents prepare for Mass, sing hymns and receive the Holy Eucharist. There was a privation in her heart. She wanted to experience the deep bond that people experience who live a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. Although she could not leave the health care facility, had physical limitations and could only speak through a communication device, she began a journey that would permit her to become a fully initiated member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish has an active Nursing Home Companion ministry and provides pastoral care to 13 health care facilities, including Virtua Voorhees Hospital and Samaritan Hospice. A Mass is celebrated monthly at each nursing home; praying of the rosary and Eucharistic services are offered during alternative weeks.
One day, as Saint Andrew ministers helped prepare for the monthly Mass, Cynthia asked Josefina (Josie) Tizon what she needed to do to become a Catholic. Josie, a committed parishioner, an active Legion of Mary member, and a religious education catechist, built a relationship with Cynthia. Josie, along with Jim Hemschoot, parish director of religious education, came up with a catechetical plan and began assisting Cynthia with her faith formation.
Cynthia began a weekly formation program to increase her knowledge about the Catholic faith and enhance her relationship with Jesus. In October 2022, Cynthia converted by making a profession of faith and receiving her First Holy Communion.
“Making my First Holy Communion was a day I will never forget,” Cynthia said. “Although I could not hold Jesus in my hands, I felt so close to him when the priest placed the Eucharist in my mouth. I knew Jesus was within me, and receiving communion gave me the strength to get through each day.”
Cynthia explained how grateful she was to me, Josie and Jim; I ministered collaboratively to prepare her for the Sacrament of Confirmation and asked her to utilize the Easter season as a time of spiritual preparation.
I was delegated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in a prayer service at the nursing home on May 18. In the presence of her sponsor, Erwin Chu, her daughter, Heather Hagan, friends, residents, staff members and ministers from the parish, Cynthia received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
“Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is not the end of your faith development, but the beginning of a new phase of your ongoing relationship with God,” I said in my homily. “Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will come upon you, just like the Spirit came upon the apostles, you will experience a new boldness in your faith. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you will be called to be a constant witness to your life as a Christian woman.
“Indeed, the Holy Spirit will help you endure some of the trials you experience in life and give you the grace to live a holy life, despite your complex health issues. Your witness will help people realize that the difference between happiness and sadness never lies in a person’s circumstances but always in their attitude.”
Cynthia chose Veronica for her confirmation name because, she said, she was impressed by the way Veronica found her way through the crowd to minister to Jesus. The name Veronica means “True Icon,” and I explained to Cynthia that the sacrament she had received will assist her, too, to be a “True Icon” of God amidst her sufferings and struggles.
I have asked Cynthia to offer her sufferings daily for holiness in priests and religious, for holiness in the Church, for an increase in vocations in the Diocese of Camden, and for other residents in the community that she knows are suffering greatly. In offering her suffering in this way, she will become that “True Icon” and set an example for others.
Msgr. Louis A. Marucci is pastor of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gibbsboro.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
