By Sister Karen Zielinski, OSF

I have been a spiritual/health writer for the past twenty years.  Every day, I pray my favorite Scripture passage, John 14: 13-14 “…whatever you ask in my name, I will do... If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”  God’s word is powerful; it is a salve for my whole being: body, soul and spirit.  I ask that God touch and heal my readers.  

But deep down in my heart I wonder: does anyone read the words that I put on paper or floating out there in the cyber world of online blogs and newsletters? Does my ministry help anyone?  Does it have meaning?  I wonder if what I do helps.

Then, I received a gift, an affirmation that my writing ministry was helping someone.  It came out of the blue, just a few days ago:

Dear Sister,
This is just a little note to you regarding my son John Daniel.  About 13-14 years ago you wrote an article about John titled "Nobody's Perfect.  Why Johnny Can't Skip His Medication".  Your article was all about John and how we dealt with his epilepsy.  Just a little update.  He has been seizure free and off of his medication for about 10 years.  He is a confident young man currently attending University of Toledo in pre-med.  I do believe that part of his confidence was a result of your article and the publicity he received at a very young age through the Epilepsy Center.  It taught him to accept and love himself.  I do thank you for this.  Like I said, I thought you might enjoy a little update on one of your articles.  Whenever I get a chance to look through a Healthy Living Magazine...I always turn to your article first.  I have enclosed some pictures of the pamphlet that started it for Johnny as well as a recent picture of him.
Thank You and God Bless You!
Tracey Kahle

Each of us is challenged in our own lives, to wonder if we make a difference, help others, offer a consoling hand.  Sometimes we don’t get feedback to reassure ourselves.  That is when faith comes in—to remind us that “we walk by faith” and as we try to live Gospel Values, we do connect with our brothers and sisters.
 
Pope Benedict XVI has declared October 11, 2012, to November 24, 2013, a special “Year of Faith.” He invites Catholics to a deeper conversion of our hearts and minds to God, to share our faith with renewed conviction, to celebrate it more intensely in the liturgy, and to live it more authentically.

I hope I do.