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to archived projects 2007Living With Hope: Karen's Story Karen was a young girl when she first met Fr. Mychal Judge and his close friend, Fr. Michael Duffy at St. Joseph's Church in East Rutherford, NJ. Father Michael Duffy was a true Franciscan, a priest who brought the gospel to life and life to the gospel. At a time when organs were the musical instruments most used at Catholic masses, Father Michael Duffy introduced the congregation to the guitar and some of the first folk masses at St. Joseph's. Young Karen played the guitar, loved to sing, and was eager to join this newly formed folk group. Under Father Michael's direction, Karen's musical talents blossomed and the two became lifelong friends. Though their lives led them in different directions, they remained in touch over the years.
In the Summer of 2006, Karen visited Fr. Michael at St. Francis Inn in
Philadelphia where he had been ministering to the homeless and poor
for most of his priestly life. During her time there, Karen prayed
often. Inspired by Fr. Michael and his compassion for the poor, Karen
discovered that she was being called to a life of service. She returned
home filled with hope.
But, before her new journey began, Karen received frightening
Mychal's Message Living With Hope project has been named in honor of Karen.
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TO LEARN MORE about
St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia and the work being done there
visit their website. |
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Home | Projects | About Fr. Mychal | About Mychal's Message | Donate Contact us: info@mychalsmessage.org
Mychal's Message logo and all graphic design graciously donated by
M. Scott Oatman
Graphic Design and Illustration.
Website development and maintenance donated by
UtterClarity.
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news.
She had breast cancer. She faced this new adversity with great
courage and hope. She began
chemotherapy, had a double mastectomy and is now awaiting radiation
treatments. In a card written to her cousin the day of her surgery, Karen
wrote, "I know you understand what living with hope means." Karen