A Note to Fr. John from Pakistan
Our E-Newsletter reaches people around the world
Dear Fr. John,
Heartfelt greetings from Pakistan. My name is Samson, born in a Roman Catholic family in an Islamic state, Pakistan.
From my childhood, I am a believer of St. Anthony. I used to attend regular masses of St. Anthony's every Tuesday here at the Cathedral in city of Rawalpindi until the winter timings clashing with my office closing time. I work in Islamabad, the capital city, which takes at least 45 min to drive to cathedral to attend the mass. For last few years, God has blessed me to be able to provide buns (bread) on weekly basis, keeping the tradition of St. Anthony in the church, for which I thank God.
Now talking about this newsletter of January 2014, I got married at the age of 31. Although we still live in a joint family, three sisters and two nieces and newphews, whose father is recovering from drug addiction, my life has changed so much as expected. My father went to heaven in November 2013 and from that time on, the life has been hitting so hard on me.
My wife is the perfect one and since we are the most educated and main providers to the whole family including other four married brothers and sisters with their kids, we often feel so tired of life's treatment to us. I was so down driving to the office this morning. While saying rosary, I paused for a long time and reflected, what has gone wrong with my life, why I am not in control of things that happen or fail to happen? But I am so encouraged reading your letter and conclude:
St. Anthoy Shrine in Cincinnati
• I must share my worries and plans with God to give him a chance to laugh and guide me...
• I must ask St. Anthony to pray for me
• I must resume to 'seek and do the will of God in everything in life'
Please pray for me and my whole family. God bless you and all the work you do also your team.
---Samson
Read Prayers of St. Anthony, share your prayers with us, and read the prayers of our online community at our Prayer Page.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about Fr. John's E-Newsletter too. Use our Contact Page or Email: shrine@franciscan.org or Call Colleen Cushard at: 513-721-4700
Posted in: Newsletter, Prayer, Saint Anthony
