Dear Parishioners,

I am writing to you today with a medical update about my health. First, I am happy and mostly healthy. As many of you know I have battled over the past three years one thing after the other. Today I have two life experiences that I have accepted. Both of which are chronic and everlasting.

One is the PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) which struck me in June 2020. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips. Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning. Many times, when I lift my arms in prayer at Mass there is pain and soreness. It is okay. It is what it is, and EVERYONE has something!

The second which happened after my second hip replacement in July 2024 is stenosis of the lumbar region with neurogenic claudication. “Fancy words” which mean that my nerves that are in the canal of my spinal cord are squeezed by the shrinking of these canals and arthritis is the culprit here!

Welcome to my world!

I do have PT physical therapy, do daily exercises, and take some medicine to relax the nerves in my lower back. I took a steroid to relieve the pain from PMR, but that was not working. I am due to get another second opinion in October.

It is funny to me that I now have so MANY doctors. One for this and one for that! Sometimes I cannot keep them straight.

Oh well, I still enjoy being your pastor and nothing can take that away from heart and soul.

Many blessings,
Father Jim