Catholic Priest Gives Up Hair for Lent
Chocolate…coffee…beer…cigarettes…bad language. These seem to make the perennial lists of favorites or vices that Christians “give up” during Lent. In an usual twist of the ages-old practice, Father Michael Denk of St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield gave up his hair for Lent.
One of Father Michael’s young parishioners, Robert Purgert, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2008. “When Robert first went into the hospital I mentioned that I would shave my head for him if he wanted me to. He’s got a good memory, because when Lent came around, he asked if I would give up my hair for Lent. I drove down to Rainbow the night before Ash Wednesday and Rob himself took the clippers to my head. His father finished the job with a razor,” said Father Michael. “I was glad to do it to be in solidarity with Robert and his family. He is such a good kid with a spirit that is unquenchable. God is doing so much good through all of this.”
Rob, a freshman at St. Ignatius High School, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and may need a bone marrow transplant in the future. No one in his family or in the national bone marrow registry is a match for him, even after several registry drives in the greater Cleveland area. Three additional drives will be held in March to try to increase the number of potential donors for Rob and others who needs transplants:
however urgent the duties that press upon us from every side".
Taken from a recent address of Pope Benedict XVI
One of Father Michael’s
Rob, a freshman at St. Ignatius High School, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and may need a bone marrow transplant in the future. No one in his family or in the national bone marrow registry is a match for him, even after several registry drives in the greater Cleveland area. Three additional drives will be held in March to try to increase the number of potential donors for Rob and others who needs transplants:
- St. Joseph, Avon Lake, 32929 Lake Road, 440-871-3784.
Sat. March 14, 4:30-6:30. Sun. March 15, 8-2. - St. Raphael, Bay Village, 525 Dover Center Road,440-871-2298.
Sat. March 28, 4-7. Sun. March 29, 8-2. - St. Ann, Cleveland Heights, 2175 Coventry Road, 216-321-3847
Sun. March 29, 8-2.
however urgent the duties that press upon us from every side".
Taken from a recent address of Pope Benedict XVI
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