Dear Friends,It has been a very long journey for Paul Hillebrand, his wife Nan and their family as they have courageously dealt with the illness of their daughter Julia. No doubt her illness turned the lives of this family upside down. In their pain they were challenged to experience love like never before. The blessings and powerful modeling touched the lives of many people at this parish, throughout the diocese and across this country. Paul and Nan have created an amazing family unit with such faith, trust and service.
Julia died December 4 just days away from her 13th birthday. She showed us how to live with illness and taught us how to die in a way that she knew she was loved by God, family and by many people.
Her Mass of Resurrection was a celebration of her life and a reminder to every person that Julia lives with God forever.
Today their journey takes a new turn, learning to live without Julia in a physical sense. We remind the Hillebrand family that we love them and will continue to walk this journey with them.
We include in our prayers every parishioner that has a child suffering from illness, parents who have experienced loss of a child and anyone who is grieving a loss in their lives. Our hearts are large enough to love the Hillebrands and others in our community who hurt and need our love and support.
Thank you to everyone who reached out to the Hillebrands and we thank them for teaching us that unconditional love is amazing.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Eric
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