Heather Campbell

Greetings dear fellow parishioners. This Pandemic has effected me in a life altering way. I caught two different viruses in the month of March as I was working in my hospital job. The second virus was so severe that my physician encouraged me to take an Antivirus test when a valid one becomes available. That experience led to intense prayer and soul searching which resulted in my decision to retire earlier than planned in order to avoid any further exposure to viruses from either co-workers or patients. Thankfully my family, members of my parish community and friends prayed for the Lord's lead on that decision which gave me greater confidence that I made the right choice. I informed my management of my decision to retire and arranged with them to pick up my personal belongings at the exit doors of Ouellette Campus, where I worked as a social worker in the Mental Health Program at Windsor Regional Hospital for over twenty years. I brought them homemade baked goods and Tim Hortons coffee to make my parting more meaningful to me. They blessed me with a beautiful showing of staff support including psychiatrists, nurses, managers, Occupational Therapist and clerks whom I had worked with. They presented me with a beautiful glass Plaque inscribed in honour of my retirement commemorating my years of service and a job well done. They presented me with a video of various staff who couldn't attend, with their beautiful good byes . I reassured them that my love and prayers will be with them as always. My three beautiful children, some of my older grandchildren of the eight beautiful grandchildren God blessed me with, my ninety year old mother and my extended family and friends were all used by our Lord to reassure me that I was walking in His will. Through the loss of my darling husband Dave six years ago, I learned the important reality of God's grace being sufficient. We had met in our Roman Catholic church, were married for forty years, raised three beautiful children in the faith who I continue to give thanks for everyday. I draw great strength from watching online Masses from St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, have intercessory prayer, scripture study, and praying family and friends as needed. The scripture from 2 Corinthians 12:9 which was the scripture the Lord planted in my heart when I suffered during my bereavement period still gives me strength and I hope it does for you as well " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." God bless you all with our Lord Jesus,' sustaining grace and be assured that He is with you always and you are never alone.