Send the Martins to Rome, Italy!
Dear Friend of Pete and Theresa,
Thank you for visiting this page.
I met Theresa and Pete as fellow students at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome. It has been a great blessing for me to see their beautiful family grow and to share, via the wonders of Facebook, in a very small way, some of the great joys and sorrows they have experienced. I use that word "sorrows" very cautiously. Theresa and Pete are such joyful people, filled with the love of Christ, and so united with Him, that even their sorrows are viewed in the glory of the Cross.
Theresa and Pete, along with so many of us, have been asking for the intercession of Blessed John Paul II (who had the great honour of blessing them personally while they were in Rome!) to cure Louis of his illness, NOMID. Masses for this intention have been offered at his tomb, and Pete and Theresa are longing to be able to take their boys to visit their Catholic "home" at the Vatican City and visit, first among many things, the tomb of Blessed Pope John Paul II. As you will know from the Caring Bridge page they maintain (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/louisfm/journal), they have recently been told that not just Louis, but also Emmanuel and Damian have this incredibly rare disease. Now, more than ever, it seems that this pilgrimage is one that the family needs to take. While Theresa and Pete have been saving for this trip, the cost alone of 7 flights is prohibitive. After much prayer and discernment, I feel called to start this fundraising page.
When we look at our own families and think back on our childhood memories, the moments that stand out are the ones of great love and adventure. There is no doubt that the Martin family are going to be spending increasing amounts of time visiting hospitals, specialists and doctors. I know I speak for us all when I say that I have often thought "if only there was something I could DO for them!!!" Theresa and Pete ask for nothing but our prayers, and rightly so - this is the first and greatest gift we can give. But let us also add an act. Let us add hope. Let us add the possibility for this wonderful and faithful family to experience the trip of a lifetime. A pilgrimage.
So before you click to donate, say a prayer, ask the Lord to fill your heart with His love, as he fills Theresa's and Pete's hearts. As Blessed Mother Theresa said: "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things."
Let us do something great.
In the very joyful event of us exceeding our fundraising goal, the Martins will be able to use your gifts to keep paying the children's medical bills.
Many thanks and God bless you!
