In the latest Parish newsletter of Holy Name of Mary parish, Los Angeles (USA) we find this letter from Fr. Bill Moore sscc to his parishioners. It is a powerful testimony from a brother who is in the final phase of his life. We leave you with Bill's words, recommending you visit his paintings at this link: http://frbillmoore.com
Dear parishioners;
I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your being a part of my life over these many years. As an associate pastor and then pastor for a year, we have laughed, cried and shared virtually all of what it means to be human together.
Recently, we said goodbye to our beloved priest Fr. Peter, and before long, I will be joining him in that new life for which there are no words.
It was a little more than three years ago that I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer. I remember asking a doctor about the effects of diet and simply asked him “are there any foods that would be good for me to eat, and his reply of “oh, eat whatever you want” sounded to me like my life expectancy would not be a lengthy one! Yet three years later with cancer in my liver and colon as well - not to mention blood clots in my lungs, I have experienced what I can only describe as a three years bonus, living out these past years with a joy and fullness of life. During these years, Fr. Rich has been with me through out the highs and lows, setbacks and triumphs, all the while continuing to enable me to pursue my art career which has flourished right up to the end. With robust gallery sales, I have lived my dream which began in my college years, which was to be a professional commercial artist. My goal has always been to feed people spiritually with my art, and in doing so it has become a kind of Eucharist.
All of which brings us to the present; after undergoing a month long regimen of chemotherapy, it was determined that it was not successful in slowing down the cancer which my oncologist has described as a “beast.” I’ve done all that I could, and to say that I’m at peace with my deci- sion would be an understatement. I’m really just tired and when - as the doctor suggests- the end comes some- where between three and six months I will be so ready to embrace it.
Sending you my gratitude and love Fr. Bill
P.S. I am scheduled for a show in Sept. at the Progress Gallery in Pomona. If everything goes as planned on all counts, the blessings continue to flow.
07/23/2020