The Four Pillars: Hospitality - Prayer - Formation - Service  

Healing Through the Body of Christ

(HTBC) Cancer Ministry

Meets at 7PM the 2nd Wednesday each month At Our Parish

Contact: Renee Gero - 602-549-1188; reneegero1@aol.com

UPCOMING EVENT:  Food For Life Kids Nutrition & Cookling Classes - 4-Class Series: Cancelled due to low registration: Wednesdays 11am-noon June 30th - July 21st at the parish.  Classes will address Bang-up Breakfasts (what is cancer?); In-betweener Meals and Deals (the new four food groups); Rainbow Lunches (fruits and vegetables); and Digging These Dinners (greens and beans). sponsored by The Cancer Project!  Donations accepted.  To sign up contact Madelyn Pryor at 480-276-7279, madelyn@veganculinaryexperience.com. Click here for event poster.

The goal of Healing Through the Body of Christ (HTBC) – Cancer Ministry, is to provide cancer survivors, their loved ones and/or caretakers with hope, emotional and spiritual support along with needed resources.  It is tailored to the needs of the community, for the people living with a history of cancer, for the caregivers of those on their journey through awareness, prevention, early detection and treatment.

HTBC is so named because as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to come together to heal one another and become the real and living Body of Christ.  HTBC through a partnership with the American Cancer Society offers:Outreach, Emotional Support, Spiritual Support and Resources.     

Volunteers making visitations are trained by the American Cancer Society and are part of their LINC (Listen, Inform, Nurture, and Care) Program. 

Spiritual and religious well-being may be associated with improved quality of life in the following ways:

• Reduced anxiety, depression and discomfort
• Reduced sense of isolation
• Better adjustment to the effects of cancer and its treatment
• Increased ability to enjoy life during cancer treatment
• A feeling of personal growth as a result of living with cancer
• Improved health outcomes.”  National Cancer Institute, Spirituality in Cancer Care

The HTBC Cancer Ministry was developed as a multi-parish Ministry at Christ the King parish in March of 2003.  It became operational with over 20 volunteers.  A proposal was submitted, approved and became a program under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Office of Disability & Pastoral Care.  Mid 2008 the Ministry became a part of the St. Peregrine Chapel and Shrine that will be dedicated later this fall.

The St. Peregrine Chapel & Shrine at Christ the King Church, Mesa, AZ, is the headquarters for the ministry.   The mission of the St. Peregrine Chapel & Shrine is to share the message of St. Peregrine (Patron Saint of Cancer) and bring the words of the Gospel to life through acts of charity, compassion and faith.  Through this we will offer hope, emotional and spiritual help to all who are affected by serious illness, especially cancer. Click here to learn more about the Chapel & Shrine.

When someone goes through their journey, they need all the support they can get.  Stress is the enemy.  We are here to help you cope.  We have resources of information; educational, various programs, nutrition, exercise, stress management, emotional and spiritual support.

Caretakers, who offer support for a loved one, also need support.   Feel overwhelmed?  This is not something for the faint of heart.   We understand your situation and have resources for you to care for yourself.

This Ministry is here for all of you affected.  With your input, resources will be brought to you.  We’ll have speakers, discussions, whatever your needs, this ministry will give you support.  With focus on where you are in life, priorities tend to reposition themselves.

Keep in mind: "we are not here to change the outcome, but to improve the journey."

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