Saints Helping Saints Announcement

 

The Saints Helping Saints Board of Directors are sorry to announce that we are no longer taking requests for financial support.

Over the past four years we have been very blessed to have found such a caring community filled with folks willing to support their fellow Seton Saints.  After much prayer and reflection we have found that the growing demands of our families and careers have grown to a point where we no longer have the time to devote to this project.  With that being said we have decided to disband Saints Helping Saints as a legally recognized entity. All funds have been transferred to the student group Seton Helping Saints in hope that they will be able to continue your mission through theirs.

The leadership of the group will continue to solicit prayers and promote the tradition and efforts of Seton High School while emotionally, spiritually and prayerfully supporting our fellow Seton sisters in all of their times of need. Both the facebook page and blogger account will continue to remain active. Please feel free to continue to send prayer requests and pray for your fellow saints.

Thanks you for your support,

Saints Helping Saints

Nina Hines Jennings '80

Good Afternoon Saints -

The Class of 1980 has asked that we keep in our prayers Nina Hines Jennings. Nina has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and is beginning what is being described by her doctors as an intense round of chemotherapy on Monday.

This is the message we received:

"We would ask that all her Seton sisters remember her in their prayers. And, if possible if they could send her a card with their name and Seton Class of ___. Her sister has given us permission to contact you. Cards can be sent to Nina Jennings, 1737 Grandview Drive, Hebron, KY 41048."

Thanks in advance for all of your positive thoughts and energy!

Also - while I have your attention. Donations to the Seton Helping Saints walk (coming up next month) can be made by sending donations to Seton High School 3901 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati Ohio 45205. Checks can be made out to Seton HS with Seton Helping Saints Walk in the memo.

Thanks for your support!

Pray for the Pragar Family

Saints, it is with great sadness that I must tell you that Tom Pragar has passed away.  Here is a link to the obituary. As you may remember last week we posted information about a fundraiser for him and his family. Please consider attending.

While I rejoice in knowing what goodness comes when one passes from this life to eternal life with our heavenly Father my heart is terribly heavy for the Pragar family. Through Saints Helping Saints I have met some amazing people faced with terrible hardship and I always wonder how they can face their journey with such poise and bravery. I've joked that I think they have a positivity boot-camp in the oncology departments at our local hospitals because these men, women and children ALWAYS amaze me.

While I've never met Tom Pragar I have met his daughter Sami. I think their whole family must have gone to the positivity boot-camp...and their friends must have too. Last fall we first started praying for Mr. Pragar and we continued everyday. In January I met a young woman named Jordan Schmidt, a friend of Sami's who wanted to help by holding another fundraiser. Just from talking to this friend of Sami's I could tell Tom was a special man and how well loved him and his family were. 

Sami will be returning to Seton this fall and her brother will be at Elder. Please pray for them - our entire Seton & Elder communities praying together will be a great blessing for them. Also pray for his wife Mary Welch Pragar (Seton Class of '82) and pray for Tom's extended family and all of his friends who have been praying for his recovery. Pray for his co-workers in the Cincinnati Fire Department.  Most importantly please pray for the repose of Tom's soul into heaven.

Hope for a Hero

　

Below is information regarding Tom Pragar. Tom is the husband of Mary Welch Pragar '82 and the father of Sami Pragar who is a current student. In addition to supporting and attending this event please consider praying for Tom, his family and his doctors. Full story is below image -Thanks in advance.

Tom’s Story:

In October of 2012, Tom Pragar, a Lieutenant in the Cincinnati Fire Department, received the news that all families pray not to hear. He was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma (a rare malignant tumor of the bile duct), which had spread to his liver. Tom’s doctors identified the only cure as surgery to remove the tumor and part of his liver. Tom has required numerous procedures, tests, treatments, and hospitalizations for drainage tubes (to help his body process bile out of his body) and for excessive tumor and stomach bleeding. Tom has undergone chemotherapy treatments and two rounds of radiation to shrink the tumor, in hopes of making surgery possible. During all of this, Tom has suffered from several complications of severe acid reflux, inability to eat, significant weight loss and severe bleeding, requiring countless blood transfusions.

Tom Pragar has touched so many lives in his community, as a firefighter with the Cincinnati Fire Department since 1984. He has served the community working the majority of his career at Engine 21, a busy Westside firehouse in South Fairmount and is currently stationed at Engine 50 in Sayler Park. Tom is well respected by fellow firefighters, is knowledgeable, and is known as brave, fearless, never backing down from work and always doing a great job leading his company. Making work at the firehouse interesting and enjoyable, he brought out the better side in everyone because of his jovial demeanor and caring personality. He truly is a great friend to have.

We are asking for help in giving Tom and his family Hope. Fighting this cancer has been very difficult and Tom, his wife Mary, daughter Sami 17, and son Clay 15, need your help and Hope. Please help support the Pragar family by donating to this benefit. All donations, big and small, are greatly appreciated. We are anticipating about 900 people to attend this benefit. Thank you for your donation

and we plan to include you on our website as a donor.

An account has been set up at 5/3 bank under the name

'Hopeforahero-Tom Pragar'.

Contact information:

http://hopeforahero.com

Jay Bosse 513-310-3167

Margie Lanza 513-460-2558

Raise Money for Your Community Group

 

Saints Helping Saints will be participating in The Garage Sale (see below). We will be selling our t-shirts and books. The most exciting part of this event is everyone will have the opportunity to purchase desks, tables and chairs from the old Seton High School classrooms. As classrooms are remodeled furniture is being removed but you have an opportunity to own a piece of Seton history!

 

AND... you can raise money for your school, parish or community group (see below)

 

 

If you are a community group or vendor you can participate too. Seton is looking for participants interested in selling crafts, books, antiques, artwork, etc... You can partner with a student group or reserve a space on your own. E-mail Jennifer Dunaway for more information at dunawayj@setoncincinnati.org

Benefit for Laura Ostertag

Mark your Calendars for Friday, June 28th!

 

 

 

Thanks for the Support

One of my favorite things to do is look at who is following our blog and where/how they are viewing it. I think it is neat to see how many people across the US and around the world seeing our posts. I can't help but believe that means that prayers are flooding into our families from all over the world. Our Saints community truly is world wide. Check out the country count.

I also wanted to mention that some of our Saints are still in need of prayers. Laura Ostertag and the Pragar family still need our prayers. We have a handful of current students with mothers and fathers facing illness. Also please pray for each other.

Leslie Carovillano Lamps has passed away.

Saints, on Monday we asked that you pray for Leslie Carovillano Lamps '77. Leslie fought a courageous battle against cancer and we were told this morning that she has passed on.

 

Please pray for the repose of her soul into heaven.  Please pray for her family that they may find peace in this trying time. Please pray for the faculty, staff and students at Elder High School where she worked. Last please pray for each other. Over these past couple of days I have heard so many beautiful things about Leslie - her sense of humor, her kindness and her courage in face of her illness.

Below you will find the details we have for her arrangements:

Visitation Friday (5/17) 5:00-8:00 PM Elder’s Schaeper Center (4005 Glenway)

Mass Saturday (5/18) 10:00 AM St. William Church (W 8^th & Sunset)

 

Please feel free to leave messages here and on the facebook page reminding us of the extraordinary life Leslie lived, the impressions she made on your heart and memories you will carry with you.  

 

God bless you Saints...

Urgent Prayers Needed! Leslie Carovillano Lamps '77

SAINTS WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR PRAYERS!

 

Please share this post with all those you know. Leslie Carovillano Lamps of the class of 1977 who has been batteling cancer and who is a current staff member at Elder High School is not doing well. In an e-mail from Elder's Principal faculty and staff were told that "Leslie's multiple complications are overwhelming her" and indicated that her condition is becoming increasingly worse. He then asks for prayers

 

Consider stopping what you are doing at 3:00 pm each day as Leslie continues on this journey and saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Please pray now for Leslie's comfort and peace for her family, may our prayers surround her with the love of Christ and His eternal grace.

Terri Luebbers Skeeters Memorial Golf Outing

TERRI (LUEBBERS) SKEETERS MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING

 

 

            Please join us for the Terri (Luebbers) Skeeters (Class of 1976) Memorial Golf Outing on May 25 at Aston Oaks Golf Course.  Created by her family in loving memory of Terri, the proceeds will go to the Good Samaritan Hospital, who provided critical care to Terri during her fight against cancer.  5 Ways to Help:  1) sign up a foursome for the scramble; 2) be a sponsor for the event; 3) make a product or service donation for the raffle at the outing;  4) make a donation payable to the Terri Skeeters Memorial Golf Outing, c/o Katie & TJ Stahlheber, 1367 Covedale Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45238, 5) Spread the word to family and friends.  For more information or to request forms, email: terriskeetersmgo@yahoo.com or call Katie Skeeters Stahlheber at 513-314-7978 or TJ Stahlheber at 513-708-5872.

Where does the money come from?

We were so pleased with your responses for Laura's Birthday.  While Laura didn't quite get 200 posts and e-mails for her birthday we were more than happy to give her the full amount. We hope she had great birthday!

Some of you may be wondering where the money for Saints Helping Saints comes from. It comes from private donations and our fundraisers. In years past we have had wine tastings, art auctions, happy hours and dine-to-donate events. One event that brings in a good amount of funding is providing  valet parking at Setonsation. Setonsation 2013 is this Saturday, April 13 at Seton High School.  We need your help by volunteering, men and women can help. We park cars from 4:30 to 11:30 during Setonsation, the tips we receive go toward helping Seton Alumna who need our support. Please consider volunteering.

If you would like to attend Setonsation as a guest you can still buy tickets for a limited time by clicking here. You can also view the available auction items here. By clicking here you can view a blog published by a student including pictures of auction items.

Thank you again for your support and prayers!

Baseball 4 Babies

Here's an awesome opportunity to catch a game and help a wonderful cause. The March of Dimes has been very near and dear to our Seton community and our premature babies, some future Saints themselves.

Join us:

Wednesday, June 19th at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $11 and includes a hot dog and a drink, $5 will be donated to The March of Dimes!!

Please send payment to Seton c/o Jennifer Hemmer Dunnaway '01 no later than April 20th

We hope to see you guys at the ballpark!!!!







This is one of our favorite tiny miracles Nora!! She is the beautiful baby girl of Renee Paff Fowler '02 and a true testament of what The March of Dimes stands for!!

Laura's Blessings

Saints Helping Saints wants to wish Laura a very Happy Birthday!

You are truly blessed and a blessing to us all.

 

A few pics that didn't make the video.

 

Wishing you a perfect PURPLE day Laura!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

This special lady was spotted at the track meet sporting her Laura PURPLE and wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

 

It was PURPLE THURSDAY today as some of the track team sent their Happy Birthday wishes to YOU!!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Laura

Saints Helping Saints is helping Laura Krommer Ostertag Celebrate her birthday today by wearing purple (her favorite color) and sending her messages of encouragement. See more here.

This morning these pictures were already in our e-mail. WOW! Laura you are loved.

Please tell Laura,

Happy Birthday to our dear friend. Many blessings,

Lori and Rachel

 

Not to mention all of those on our facebook page.

Cheer on the Pigs Running for BOSTON

Calling all cheerleaders to come down and cheer on the Pigs getting ready to cross the finish line at The Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday May 5th!!!! Saints Helping Saints will have a group holding up signs & routing on the runners!! Let us know if you want to meet up & join our cheer squad!!!

Purple Thursday!

Laura Krommer Ostertag will be celebrating her birthday on Thursday (April 4) and we want to help her celebrate.

Please wear purple on Thursday to show her your support. To take it one step further Saints Helping Saints will contribute $1 to Laura for the first 200 people to post a picture of themselves in Purple to the Saints Helping Saints facebook page.

Don't have facebook? Send us an e-mail with your pic in purple and a message for Laura.


Spread the word so Laura can see how much we support her and we can make sure she has a really great birthday with her family.

Also, don't forget we meet the First Tuesday of the month for our monthly meetings. This month our meeting will be tomorrow at Price Hill Chili at 6:30. We LOVE seeing new faces.

Please know that the pictures and messages you send will be used on this blog and for Saints Helping Saints. They will also be shared with Laura.

Secret Prayers

Are you ever asked to secretly pray for something? It usually goes something like this. "Don't tell anyone but my brother is going in for some tests, please keep him in your prayers" or "I am interviewing for a new job, keep me in your prayers" or what I find to be the best of all "I haven't told anyone yet, but we are having a baby, please pray for us."

This week alone (well in the last 10 days) I was tasked with 5 different secret prayer intentions.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching the Chrism Mass of EWTN. After watching the Chrism Mass I was driving in the car listening to 740 and the priest on the radio was talking about the Chrism Mass. I was half listening to the radio and half listening to my kids so pardon me as I explain what was said.

He (and Pope Francis) both were explaining the significance of the chrism and how each of us as Christians have a responsibility to allow our chrism to "drip from our cloaks". Through Baptism and Confirmation we are called to be evangelists and to spread the Word. To be shepherds. The people around us know that they can ask us to pray for them (even when they can't even share their circumstances with the world) because we allow our cloaks to drip. If we live our lives as Christians and show those around us that they can trust us with their intentions we are fulfilling our roles as shepherds in the Church. Bringing the people in our lives closer to Christ through prayer and example.

My message today is this. Through Saints Helping Saints we are often asked to pray for "special intentions", few of us know the true intentions for which we are praying. I believe that even though these special intentions aren't fully known, they are equally worthy of our prayers and that our prayers for the health, safety and well-being of our SHS community are powerful.

So, I am asking all of you to please pray for the "special intentions" in our community. For the sick, and the suffering. For those secretly celebrating with great anxiety and for those anxiously waiting results and news. Your prayers are felt and appreciated.

Volunteers Needed: Setonsation Parking

Each year we help Seton High School with Setonsation on April 13, 2013 by parking cars at the event's valet parking. Last year we raised over $200 and the year before we raised nearly $400.  This money goes to Saints Helping Saints to be used to support our fellow saints in need.

If you are interested in volunteering we can use your help in two different shifts:

First Shift      4:30-7:30 - welcome guests, park cars in garage/front lot and direct guests to the event
Second Shift  7:30-11:30 - thank guests, retrieve car from carage or front lot, collect donations

Susan Zupan Creech is responsible for managing our volunteers for this evening. Please feel free to contact her via facebook or email Saints Helping Saints to commit to volunteering.

You can also buy event raffle tickets here.

Send a card to our Mady Mouse

If we could have a favorite Saint it might just be Mady (we really do love all of our Saints but Mady has a special place in our hearts). Mady was one of our two VERY FIRST Saints that we started supporting and we are so proud of how far she has come. Her mom Stephanie Branham Rouse graduated in 2003.

 

Mady was diagnosed with Leukemia at four months old. She immediately began treatment and after chemo, remission, relapse, chemo, remission, bonemarrow transplant, remission, relapse, chemo and chemo again she finally had the opportunity yesterday to have another bone marrow transplant. This little fighter has spent half of her life in a hospital and we have FAITH that this will be her chance for a cure and the chance at a normal childhood and life.

To show Mady and her family how much love and support we have for her we want to encourage all of you to send make or send her a card telling her to KICK CANCER's @$$. Please send cards to:

Mady Rouse

Seton High School c/o Jennifer Dunaway

3901Glenway Ave

Cincinnati, Ohio 45205

 

We will make sure your notes get to Mady and her family.



 



Pray for Laura Krommer Ostertag 2

This is a follow-up on the prayer requests for Laura Krommer Ostertag. Our hope is that you have been following her CaringBridge Page and some of you were able to pray with her at Our Lady of Victory this evening. Thank you to everyone who prayed with us for Laura today. Please continue to keep Laura and all of our Saints in need in your prayers.

Laura did have her biopsy today and the tumor is still there. She is meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and oncologist on Friday.  Laura is in possession of the skull camp of Pope John Paul II and is the process of a saying a novena for his intercession. I personally BELIEVE in intercessionary prayer. Laura is on day 4 of 9. Please consider joining her OR begin your own novena.