Fr. Richard Ho Lung - Diary Of A Ghetto Priest AND I am alive! This is a gift from the Lord passed through the hearts, minds and hands of my beloved friends. I had been having pains in my chest. A change in diet, recommended by my doctor, consistent exercise and the decision to withdraw from many situations of tension made the pain subside. I was doing God's will, and felt at peace.
Then my good friend Diana Yee Sang had a massive heart attack. Despite the fine medical services in Jamaica, I called Dr. Gerry Bortolazzo, a close friend in Atlanta, remembering his words, "Anytime you have the slightest problem, just call me."
Heading out to Philadelphia to see my dear friend Monsignor James McGovern at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown, New Jersey, I decided to introduce to our United States mission trips Father Brian Kerr, a member of our religious community for 23 years, who had been working in the Philippines for 10 years. We headed to Atlanta on Monday morning under an imperative by my medical friend. Dr. Gerry himself picked us up at the airport. He said, "If you're going to take care of others, you too must be healthy."
Dr. Gerry's seriousness and concern were deep. We proceeded direct to the Cobb Hospital Emergency Room. Aware that I had flunked the heart stress test in Jamaica, he enlisted me among the patients needing emergency treatment. There was serious angioplasty to be done immediately. I was sedated, yet I could see the arteries on the TV monitor.
TRUSTING IN GOD
The open heart surgery was scheduled without cost for the very next day. I felt like a child in the hands of God and my friends. I could only trust in God's guidance, which has never failed me. I know that it was obedience to God and the truth that led me to the Cobb Hospital in Atlanta. It was also love and affection on the part of the good Lord and my dear friend Gerry who delivered me into the hands of a wonderful cardiologist, Dr. Bob Warner and the surgeon, Dr. David Langford in the most renowned heart surgery hospital in the US, Saint Joseph's. Again, free of cost. Father Brian and myself offered the morning prayer for that day and I received communion. The opening of the Psalm read, "My heart is ready oh God, my heart is ready." God's love, God's guidance and protection, His words and His close presence in times of great danger and difficulty were truly evident to me.
The operation was a miracle. What loving friends God has given me! The surgeon, Dr. Langford, did his job perfectly, humbly, calmly. I did not even know when the surgery was over. Everyone was so good.
After the operation, Father Ambrose and my brother Michael came up to visit me. My friends provided accommodations and my other needs in Atlanta for my post-surgery recovery. The Sisters of Mercy under Sister Valentina Sheridan, Dr. Langford and Dr. Warner provided their loving care free of any charge. I thank the Lord for such wonderful friends! I celebrated Mass today humbly giving thanks for this miracle that took place. God's grace was upon me during the entire period and I found myself so quickly recovering.
GIVING WITHOUT LIMIT
I have asked the Brothers and priest of our community and all of you to love the poor, to seek the Lord's wonderful message of kindness, gentleness and peace for the forgotten ones. I have looked at death straight in the face and have found no fear in my heart because of the care of friends sent by God. This is what I have asked all my Brothers and friends to do to give of their kindness and love without limit. In doing this, they will find peace and the presence of God. And you my dear friends and benefactors, I ask you to take care of my beloved Brothers and priests, and the suffering poor whom we serve. I commend them into your care. I want our movement to continue. Give completely with every ounce of love in your own heart, and bring consolation, happiness, mercy and peace to all our poor. This is the vocation of the Missionaries of the Poor. God has given me more years to live. I thank Him for that. However, I will not be around forever. I need you to be like Dr. Gerry and Steve de Baun. We need so many more who will help us take care of our Brothers and our poor.
Our works of mercy will bring life to the world. This is the new life that all my friends have now given to me. Now I ask everyone: give generously, give until it hurts. Thus our world will be redeemed from its sorrow and sin and will be filled with joy.
Father Richard Ho Lung is Founder and leader of the Missionaries of the Poor.
