Soaring song at Spirit of Hope Mass for Cancer
The fourth annual Spirit of Hope Mass and Concert for Cancer was celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 5 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.
The Spirit of Hope Mass for Cancer stemmed from a suggestion made to Bishop Louis Tylka by Dr. James McGee, founding director of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, to offer a special Mass to provide hope for those with cancer, and those supporting them.
Before the Spirit of Hope for Cancer Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Oct. 5, Dr. James McGee, poses with (from left) OSF Postulants Danielle Rush and Kim Delouche, who are in the initial stages of formation with the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Bishop Tylka, who personally felt loss of cancer when first his mother Norma, and later his youngest sister, Mary Lou Bryant, die of pancreatic cancer 31 years apart, readily agreed and presided at Mass again this year.
The Postulants conveyed a tin of almond cookies for Mr. McDermott baked by Sister Angelita Van Hoey, O.S.F.
Again this year as well, Scottish-Canadian tenor John McDermott (accompanied by guitarist Jason Fowler) greeted Mass attendees as they entered the church with reflective selections such as Wind Beneath My Wings and Ave Maria. McDermott sang Ave Maria again at the close of Mass.
The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis were represented onsite by Postulants Danielle Rush and Postulant Kim Delouche, who are in the initial stages of religious formation with the order.
SISTER ANGELITA’S FAMOUS ALMOND COOKIES
The Postulants conveyed a tin of almond cookies for Mr. McDermott baked by Sister Angelita Van Hoey, O.S.F., who was unable to attend along with the other current OSF Sisters due to their presence at the order’s General Chapter, held every six years (see Catholic Post Online story “OSF Sisters Elect New Major Superior, Council”).
The event was jointly planned by the Diocese of Peoria and OSF HealthCare.
