Today’s Work of Mercy and Prayer Request

Ave Maria!

Dear friends,

​We’d like to appeal to your charity, on behalf of a family in very grave need.

Mrs. Jessica Cortes, mother of ten (!), and sister-in-law of two of our friars (Friar Gabriel Cortes and Friar Didacus Cortes), has been diagnosed with terminal uterine cancer. Following is a description of the situation, written by her husband, Dan:

My wife Jessica (Eadie) Cortes is terminally ill. She has been diagnosed with advanced stage (4a) uterine cancer. It has spread outside the uterus, to the bowel wall, bladder, and lymph nodes and has encased the bones of her pelvis. We did not detect the cancer until she started bleeding as it usually carries few symptoms until it reaches the more advanced stages.
She can no longer urinate as her kidneys are being blocked off by the rapid growth of a tumor and she has received an emergency procedure to put two stents into her kidneys so that they can drain properly through a catheter which she must now wear out side the body.

JESSICA’S WISH
At this time our lease is up and we have been finding it difficult for anyone to rent to us due to our family size even in the midst of my wife’s grave condition.

In fact we only have until June, 30th. So any help will go toward my wife’s personal needs and housing in order to regain a sense of hope and security as we deal head on with this devastating illness.

We are also praying that if someone may have a contact or suggestion as to a particular house please let us know by contacting us directly.

ABOUT JESSICA – DEVOTED WIFE AND LOVING MOTHER
A dedicated mother of 10 kids (9 girls and 1 boy) ages 1 and 1/2 to 14 years, including a set of twins.

She has lived these 15 years of our marriage with uncompromising fidelity, selflessness, and love that can only be called heroic. I can honestly say that I have never personally met someone who given to the degree that she has throughout the years.

HER FUTURE
While we are medically in last stages of this type of cancer (having found it so late), we will be following up with a strict medical care for her which includes chemo therapy and radiation as well as alternative health methods to try and thwart the disease.

We look forward to being with her as long as we can so as to shower her with the most beautiful and loving days that that are left in store for her.

PLEASE PRAY
In all of this we have HOPE. We are praying for her complete healing and recovery. We KNOW Jesus can heal her. But it requires Faith.

We have the first part: That He CAN do it. This we know is infallible. We just need the second part:

That people please ASK that He will do it…
Thank you for your time, care, and concern on behalf of Jessica.

Please know that you all will be remembered in her prayers at this time and that our family will be updating you soon.

 Here’s the link for a fund which has been set up to help them:

https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraisers/fund-for-jessica-cortes-mother-of-10

​In the Hearts of Jesus & Mary,

the friars​ at Mt. St. Francis

Father, hear our prayer for Jessica’s complete healing in body, soul, and spirit. Give her caregivers grace, compassion, wisdom, counsel, knowledge, skill, creativity, insight, and the proper technology to assist in that healing and give her and all who love her grace, peace, consolation, strength, faith, hope, and love. Mother Mary, St. Luke, St. Peregrine, St. Gianna Molla, St. Gerard Majella, G.K. Chesterton, and Fr. Joseph Fulton, pray for her. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.