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Like you, we have felt the impact of the worldwide economic crisis. Parishes unable or slow to pay…
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Credit card transactions from CD 'sales' that do not go through; CD ‘sale’ checks that bounce… Supporters no longer able to give… Events postponed or limited due to problems with my voice (this includes the planned family retreat in July).
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Right now, we are simply so low on donations that there is not enough in the Holy Family bank account to meet monthly expenses that provide income for our family and pay for health insurance.
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Given our needs, am I anxious? No. For some reason, I mostly feel excited. Maybe it is because after 14 years, I am eager to see how God will provide this month - especially since we are beginning our pilgrimage to Lourdes tomorrow. I trust that many of the projects we are working on right now, by God’s grace, are going to be a source of needed inspiration and encouragement for many people. I refuse to let anxiety dull my hopes for this trip. If my voice heals soon enough, I will lead Holy Hours for the youth in Lourdes. Somehow, I think my voice will be back for that.
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A number of you have asked for a health update so let me bring you up-to-speed. I was told the radiation to treat the tumor in my right eye would cause blindness in that eye by now. I am pleased to report that even though vision in my right eye has deteriorated, I can still see fairly well. I am to see a dermatologist every six months and due for another visit so I plan to set one up while in Oklahoma within the next two months. Finally, the MRI run last December in Arizona confirmed no sign of cancer in my lungs or liver. I was told to have an MRI once a year for two more years. During that time, if lungs and liver remain clear, doctors will consider me officially ‘cancer-free.’
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Thank you for your concern and your prayers throughout this process! Our family has been soaked in peace and we attribute that peace to nothing less than God’s grace.
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The health situation that is causing immediate concern is my strained voice. Several weeks ago, I sang at three weekend Masses in two parishes without the use of a sound system. The space was small and it seemed doable, but during the recessional song at the last Mass, I felt an unfamiliar strain in my vocal chords.
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The voice worked well enough for that evening’s songs and stories but the next day I could hardly speak. I’ve attempted to “sing” these past two weekends but the raspy voice causes me to sing fewer songs at a level just above a whisper. I’ve been to the doctor three times since then and after two rounds of different medicine, I am still having difficulty even speaking. Today's diagnosis of chronic laryngitis means no permanent damage was done to vocal cords (thank you God) but I am not to sing for now and try not to speak so the voice can heal.
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The next evening of songs and stories is scheduled for New York at the end of this month and I am hoping my voice will be fully healed by then.
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At the end of May, after being on the road full-time for two years and eight months, we were headed home for some quiet and rest. Before reaching home we found out our family had been booked on an all-expenses-paid pilgrimage to Lourdes, France scheduled for this month!
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Though I have wanted to visit Lourdes for years, at first this seemed like the worst possible timing – we were so looking forward to some rest. Now, preparing to leave tomorrow, the timing seems perfect. We did not even have our passports two weeks ago but a phone call came moments ago and our passports arrived today. Amazing timing. As tired as we are, we do not want to pass up this remarkable opportunity.
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I’ve begun posting on Twitter to practice so I can provide brief updates on our trip. Check the front of our website beginning Monday for details.
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For those who do not know the story of Lourdes, I recommend a movie made back in 1943. “The Song of Bernadette” is based on the true story of a young, sickly girl who had a series of apparitions of the Mother of Jesus at a grotto near a dump in France. The water that began to flow from the spot pointed out by the Mother of Jesus has been a source of healing for millions of pilgrims.
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Side note: Belief in apparitions is not a mandatory part of Catholic faith. When the Church approves an apparition - like the one in Lourdes -, it simply means the Church has determined there is nothing contrary to faith and morals for a practicing Catholic to believe in that particular apparition. (Yet another reason I am thankful to be under the protection of 2,000 years of discernment: I trust it more than I trust my own imperfect perception or opinion.)
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Three days have been reserved at the same studio in Northern California where I recorded “Be With Us Today.” The plan is to continue recording my latest CD. This will (hopefully) include a version of “You Are Beautiful To Me,” “May You Be Magnified,” and other frequently requested songs. Monthly and one-time donors may have an opportunity to download a version of this song before it is available on CD.
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We are sending this newsletter out on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the beginning of the Year of the Priest. Dear God, we ask for every grace available to us today. May all of our hearts come to resemble your own and may how we live make a difference in this world.
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| God Bless You! |
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| -Michael |
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To get beyond our current situation, we need to meet four key fundraising goals.
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| 1: Fund June/July operational expenses. |
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This first need is short term in nature. We need to cover shortfalls caused by decreased giving, other organization's inability to pay in full or in a timely way and most recently, by limited, postponed and cancelled events due to problems Michael has experienced with his voice.
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The next three financial hurdles cut to the heart of how we generate operating income now and, in the case of a new CD, for years to come.
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| 2: Purchase portable sound system. |
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Many parishes we visit have poor quality sound systems or none at all. Our current sound system is bulky, difficult to setup and suffering from old age. Some Pastors feel that its size and appearance would be a distraction during Mass. We have identified a replacement system that is portable (carried by one person in one trip) and can be set-up in a few minutes: helpful as Michael is his own road crew. It is made by Bose (great quality!) and its slim profile, neutral color and limited cords would not create a distraction during liturgies. Michael's recent voice problems underscore this vital need.
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| 3. Update recording equipment. |
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In today’s recording environment, two important pieces of equipment are 1), a digital recorder and 2), a computer with enough power to handle the demands of processing, mixing and storing initial cuts of songs in process. An updated hand held recorder is needed for live recording when computer-based record-ing is not practical or possible.
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| 4. Buy studio time for completing CD. |
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We have booked three days in Northern California for recording in July. See more details in ‘Recording News’ at left.
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| Cost: $2,000.00 (Approximately) |
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At the beginning of June, we sent an urgent request for prayers regarding a meeting that we were having to gain support for a very exciting project. While it is still premature to announce project details, know that your prayers had a tremendous impact on the course of the meeting, the reception of our project, on how everyone conducted themselves and on additional encouragement we received after that meeting. We hope to make an announcement about this project at the end of the summer. For now, we thank God for each and everyone of you who responded so quickly on bended knee!
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| -joe |
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Recently, Michael approached me with an idea that seemed like a great way to say "thank you" for the financial support you provide. As the father of a 5-year old, I know the role that music plays in my daughter's everyday life. I also know how thrilled she becomes when people take the time to do something special just for her. With that in mind, here's the idea.
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The first 100 people who donate $100 in the next two weeks will be able to choose one song from at least three new lullabies and/or blessing songs. You then choose to have the song customized for an individual child or for a family of children. For a family of children, we will need names in birth order (oldest to youngest). A customized verse with the child or children’s name(s) will be included at the beginning and/or end of the selected lullaby.
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Your song will be ready in time for Christmas: delivered no later than November 18, 2009. Each song will include a certificate showing the gift recipient their version of this song was created, sung and recorded just for them. We hope these songs are a blessing to your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, friends and godchildren.
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Click here to give now and let us know that you want a customized lullaby song. We’ll notify you when sample lullabies are available to complete your order.
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| -joe |
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If you are able to make a gift at this time, please send it to:
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Holy Family Apostolate
PO Box 30414
Edmond, OK 73003 |
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Thank you for walking the path with us, sharing so generously your prayers and gifts!
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Holy Family Apostolate is a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Corporation. Donations provided without the expectation of receiving a gift are tax deductible. Giving statements are provided each January for your tax planning.
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