A Mother-in-Law’s Blessing

By: Bernadette McMasters Kime
Director of Worship & Sacraments for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

Since January is the Month of the Family, where we remember Mary, Jesus, and Joseph as a family unit, I would like to share a story about my family. As with any couple when they marry, it is not only the two of them, but rather two entire families come together. Although we know little about Joseph’s parents, tradition tells us that Joachim and Ann were Mary’s parents and therefore, Joseph’s in-laws.

When I first met my soon to be mother-in-law, I was amazed by this petite Japanese woman in her 80’s who never seemed to slow down. She was constantly in motion, like the Energizer Bunny. As I got to know her, I admired her strong will, especially knowing that she left her home in Japan at a young age to marry an American soldier and start a family in a foreign land.

About three years ago, she was not feeling well and after a doctor’s visit, was told she had cancer in some of her organs (pancreas, stomach, etc.). After surgery, it seemed that all the cancer had been removed and she slowly gained her strength back. But she started having back pain and was told she now had bone cancer in her spine. Unfortunately, we soon learned the cancer was spreading rapidly and categorized as stage 4. Her words were, “I am going to fight this cancer.” She endured 3 rounds of intense chemotherapy treatment. Finally, the cancer specialist declared that the chemotherapy is not working, the cancer is spreading, and there is nothing more that the medical professionals can do.

So you may ask, what does this have to do with the Eucharist and the Eucharistic Revival? Well, you will soon see. My mother-in-law would often tell me that she loved going to the Catholic Church in the little town where she used to live. Since she never learned to drive, once she moved out to the country, she was no longer able to go, and this made her sad. While she was not a Christian, she has always had a devout faith in God, Jesus, and the Blessed Mother. She often said she wished that she understood more about the Church. One morning when she was visiting, she was mumbling on the couch. My youngest daughter asked her who she was talking to, and she said “Jesus”. Msgr. Gene Ostrowski, a friend to me and my husband, would come and see her and pray with her. She shared with me how special those times were to her.

Knowing that her cancer prognosis was not good, I approached Msgr. Paul Hudock when he was pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wheeling and asked him if he could fully initiate my mother-in-law into the Church since she was in “Danger of Death”. It was an amazing experience to be there as she received her sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. During the Mass, she cried and afterward kept saying, “I am so happy! I am so happy! I feel so good.”

Lately when she comes to our house so that my husband can take her to medical appointments, she arrives sluggish and in pain. Nevertheless, she wants me to take her to Mass. After evening Mass, she cries again and says, “I feel so good!” The next morning, she wakes up with a burst of energy and a smile on her face. She is the first one up, helps me get the kids ready for school, and eats a large breakfast. It is amazing to see the transformation in her, all because of the Eucharist. These are truly Eucharistic miracles. While her body is weak, her faith in God is keeping her strong. Watching a family member suffer physical pain is heartbreaking, however, watching the Lord work miracles in their lives can also be a blessing.