Save a life, save a mission

My name is Janice, and I’m a devout Catholic living as a Consecrated Single. I’d like to ask for your prayers and support to help meet some urgent financial needs:

• Medical Assistance – for monthly out-of-pocket medical expenses ($2,300/month) that insurance (Medicaid) doesn’t cover, and to help pay down medical debt (approximately $50,000).

• Living Expense Assistance – combined medical debt, health & living expenses are up to $5,000/month.

• Car Funding – I do not have a car and need to raise funds to buy a reliable, gently used car that’s tolerable for my health conditions.

• Candle Funding – to help cover expenses to make Catholic Prayer Candles to sell on Etsy to help build up the Church and the Culture of Life.

“THE PERFECT STORM"

After a 28 year career in the corporate world working in a variety of high level administrative positions, a “perfect storm” demolished the life I had 6 years ago. Through a series of unfortunate events & trials, I entered a period of great loss – I lost my health, wealth, job, family members, and the ability to attend and serve at Church. Everything was stripped away to the foundation. Due to a number of chronic health issues, I became homebound. And despite all the “safety nets” I had in place like disability & health insurance plans, recommended doctors I trusted, severance & unemployment benefits, pension, retirement accounts, & savings, all of them failed in one way or another through betrayal, denial, or depletion. What I learned through all this is that POVERTY CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE! My eyes were opened to the false sense of security these worldly “safety nets” provide, which are not immune to unthinkable trials that suddenly appear out of nowhere like a tornado – like a “perfect storm”. I quickly learned that God is the only true “safety net” we really need, and my situation has made me become totally dependent on Him, my Church community, charitable & government organizations, and friends (like you!) and family to help carry me thru.

My monthly out-of-pocket medical expenses are up to $2,300. One of my chronic conditions is expensive to maintain, requiring a number of OTC, prescription medicines, and supplements. I’ve used credit cards to help pay for these expenses, but those cards are almost maxed out, and I’m in dire need of paying down this debt so I can continue to treat my health issues. My total monthly expenses (combined medical, debt, and living) are up to $5,000, and this is with living in a small one bedroom apartment set up as a studio. Years ago when I worked a high-paying, high-stress job I managed all expenses and paid off all debt. But my health no longer supports that. I can work part-time from home and recently began making Catholic Prayer Candles to sell, but the income received is not enough to support me. However, the work I'm doing is a call and mission from God (as you’ll read about below), and He continues to confirm that while promising that the “oil” of His Providence will not run out – much like the story of Elijah and the widow’s oil in the Old Testament, which did not run out.

BEAUTY FROM ASHES - The Creation of St. Joseph's Workshop

During these years of being homebound, despite the stormy trials swirling around me, God in His infinite mercy brought great joy and beauty into my life through the gift of art! This began in 2017, during the 100th anniversary year of Our Lady of Fatima, the same year I lost my dear Mom. A variety of opportunities came my way to help support the Church, Catholic Education, and schools through non-profit artistic projects. I’ve never been an artist, but I am creative - like they say, “Grace builds upon nature.” Working on these projects truly became “art therapy” for me, and brought me so much joy, while helping me stay focused on God and making something beautiful in the midst of my sufferings. When the devil seeks to destroy, I create. I am reminded of the Scripture from Isaiah 61:3, “To place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, to give them oil of gladness in place of mourning…” Although the life I had was brought to ashes, God is making something new and beautiful from it! Only God can do that – only He can make something out of nothing! All glory to Him! My work on these projects makes me feel like I’m working in “St. Joseph’s Workshop” with the Holy Family, as they lived and worked in their little home in Nazareth.

“BRING LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS”

Recently, a new inspiration and calling came to make Catholic Prayer Candles, something I’ve never made before. This happened when I saw a beautiful prayer candle of Our Lady of Lourdes. After researching and learning, I began making them and am amazed by the work that God is doing – it often leaves me in tears of gratitude! They are a true labor of love and prayer! During this time my mission was made clear to me – to “build up the Church and the Culture of Life through Beauty, Truth, and Goodness”, and this is exactly what I’m doing in “St. Joseph’s Workshop”. I would now like to sell my candles on Etsy and am trying to set up a Shop. But it may never open if I do not have the funds to continue making them, especially with little to no credit left. In the meantime, God continues to confirm His will to make the candles, despite the financial obstacles. I’m trying to be obedient, and am encouraged through this recurring Scripture, “Be firm and steadfast; go to work without fear or discouragement, for the Lord God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you before you have completed all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chron 28:20) I trust that if God wants these candles, He will provide the means to continue them. I've posted a picture of some of my candles below. Once the Etsy Shop is open I will update this page with the link.

Thank you so much for reading my story! Please know that I’m truly grateful for any donation you may give! And because my needs are so great at this time, I also ask if you could prayerfully consider donating a monthly tithe if at all possible. You will be contributing to save a life and a mission, and what could be more noble than that??? And if you cannot donate, you can help by praying for me and all my needs. Prayer is powerful and can move hearts more than any words can. Know that I’m praying for you too! Thank you again and God bless!