Loaves and Fishes Benefits Individuals Like James  
By Connie Blaney
Catholic Charities 

He lives alone.  For the past year, his illness has worsened.  He has made eight trips to M.D. Anderson Hospital in Texas.  This particular evening, he dreads getting into his old Chevy to take to the road by himself for his ninth trip to the familiar hospital hundreds of miles away. He knows that every hour he will have to stop to ease the cramping and pain in his body.  He reflects on his brighter days when he was healthy, had a girlfriend
he loved dearly, and a job that
paid well.  Now, these are only precious memories for “James.”

While working at a state hospital, James was bitten by a man with AIDS.  Now, he too, is suffering with this dreaded disease.  Making matters worse, James also has cancer and diabetes.  Homebound, scraping by on a very low income, James faces tough, daily decisions of whether to spend his limited dollars on medicine or food.  With the high cost of medicine for his pain and sickness, medicine usually wins out.

As he sunk further into darkness, he made a desperate call for help to Catholic Charities.  “I had no where else to turn.  My plea and prayers have been answered,” James stated.  “God is my main medicine and Catholic Charities is my nourishment and support,” he said.

Through a program called Loaves and Fishes, James is now being provided with food twice a week, as well as a moral support from Catholic Charities staff member Judy Reilly, who coordinates the program.  “She is my connection to the outside world.  Judy and Catholic Charities have lifted up my spirits and given me hope,” James said with passion and sincerity.  “People don’t think it could ever happen to them.  Once, I thought that way, too,” he said.

Judy Reilly spoke in earnest about James.

 “What I admire most about him is that he doesn’t feel sorry for himself.  Although he naturally gets down sometimes, overall he is a positive person who grasps each day of life to the fullest.  He has a strong faith in God.”  She added, “Because of his health situation, James is someone who has his priorities in order.  He is full of gratitude for even the smallest kindness.   He trusts that God will bring about goodness and blessings from all things, no matter how difficult or painful.  Quite an attitude for someone facing daily challenges.”

James shared his philosophy about living.

 “We so often take our health and the simple things in life for granted,” he said.  “However, that can change in a heartbeat!  As my health has declined and daily tasks become more of a challenge, Judy and Catholic Charities have been there for me.  I am indebted to their dedication, commitment, and compassion. Judy has been my guardian angel. Whatever bothers me, she can read it in my voice, and always has words of encouragement,” he said.  

Loaves and Fishes, coordinated through Catholic Charities’ Parish Social Ministry program, provides meals on wheels for people with HIV/AIDS.  Founded in 1987 by the people of Immaculate Conception Church, meals are delivered approximately twice a week to the homes of women and men in the Oklahoma City area.  More than 70,000 meals have been prepared for approximately 1,000 individuals.Volunteers make this ministry a long-term success.  

Financial support for this ministry comes from individual gifts, remembrances, and benefits from the community.  Collaboration between Catholic Charities and two Catholic churches, St. Patrick’s and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, support this ministry.  Volunteers cook, deliver the food, and shop for them.  

Confidentiality is strictly observed and there is no proselytizing.  To volunteer, contact Catholic Charities at 523-3009.  Help is needed with baking desserts and delivering meals.  

James testifies to the importance of the cause.  “I cannot imagine what my life would be like without this program.  It has brought me hope, encouragement, and the will to go on.”