spine in place. After the surgery, I spent about a month in
rehab and endured the most painful time in my life. The only
relief was the pain medications; which rendered me completely
out of touch with reality.
The surgery was performed on July 11, 2011. I was in
constant pain following surgery and lost all sense of who I was.
My family, especially my wife suffered during this time and I
was more and more out of touch with reality. So many times
I prayed that when I woke up the pain would be gone, but it
was always a constant. In desperate times I would ask God why
He had abandoned me to a life without joy or a sense of reality.
My prayer always began with, “Why Lord, have you abandoned
me?” I would attempt to have a conversation with Our Lord in
terms that were not always in a form of prayer, but pleading for
help in a conversation that I though was just one sided!
My friend, Glen would call me each month and ask if I
wanted to attend Sister Dulce’s Men Spirituality Class which
took place at 7 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. He
asked each month until finally in March 2012 I said yes. The
night before the Class, I was so ill I could not sleep as I had
suffered all night from excruciating pain. I finally fell asleep in
our guest room on top of the bedding until my wife came in
about 6:00 a.m. and asked, “Are you up to going with Glen?” I
walked into our room, got dressed and waited for Glen to pick
me up.
This was the prelude to one of the most unbelievable days of
my life. I had been told several times in the past years to call
Sister and get an appointment, but I felt those dying of cancer
were more important. I never thought that what I’m writing
would ever take place in my lifetime or in my state of mind.
I’m a practicing Catholic and one thing I did each day and
sometimes all day, was to pray and ask God, “Why have you
abandoned me? I’m not perfect and most of all, I have always
done the best I could to be a good Christian and Catholic man,
husband and father. I have always shared what I could with
those who needed help. I truly felt that prior to attending the
class with Sister, that I would not be able to bring something
into my life that would help me be a better patient and husband
because the pain and medications were now in control of my
life. That was far from what happened!
Sister was telling a story about almsgiving and what it should
mean for all of us in the class. She was sharing a funny story that
made me laugh and when I looked up she was looking straight
at me, which made me a little uncomfortable. She came to me
and whispered in my ear, “Papa wants you to know that He has
not forgotten you and He knows your pain.” She then asked if
she could touch me and I nodded since I was unable to speak.
She placed her hand on my right shoulder and she stopped on
the two six-inch incisions on both sides of my back and said,
“
this is where it is.” I nodded again as she prayed in silence. I
felt something that I cannot explain. I only know that my mind
let go of so much worry, so much doubt and much more. She
returned to her lesson and never looked back at me again.
I was stunned and confused as to why she came directly to me.
I was also overwhelmed with a joy that can only be described as
freedom. God had set me free and I knew that without a doubt I
would one day be met by my Lord Jesus Christ. I matter to Him
and I feel that this message was not only for me but for all who
feel God is dead or has abandoned them.
As the days passed, I’ve had time to reflect and I can truly say
with my heart, that each day I feel better. My associates tell me
that I look different, like a younger, happier Tony – the man they
had missed for three years. My family rejoices with me that I
answered the call that day to attend the Men’s Spirituality Class.
I know that God directed me to Sister Dulce, because I did not
give up my prayer life, even though I felt at time that He did not
hear me. Sister is His instrument and her hands, at the time she
reached out and touched me, it was the Lord’s healing hands.
DeMarco Testimony Continued
Cypress Springs
Mercedarian Gift Shop
Many new items are available for your
shopping pleasure at our gift shop.
The Gift Shop is open during regular
Center hours and by appointment. Also,
remember to give the gift of giving an
inscribed brick which is placed on the
walkways at the Chapel of Divine
Providence. To purchase a brick, please
complete the form available on the back
of this newsletter.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
or by Appointment by calling 225/752-8480
