Helping out in the ER!  As I mentioned in TALLer Tales last weekend, my sister Jackie and I made a couple of trips to Troy Beaumont over Memorial Day weekend with my mom and dad because my mom wasn’t feeling well.  Long story short, my mom ended up with an infection that turned into sepsis, and it settled in her knee replacement that was put in about 8 months ago.  She ended up having surgery to take out the knee replacement, and a temporary knee joint was put in its place.  She will have a permanent knee put in about a year from now. Thankfully, she is doing well. We appreciate all the prayers.  She’s currently in the early phase of a six week - twice daily intravenous (IV) antibiotic regiment. She will be in the rehab center until the antibiotic treatment has concluded which should be in mid-July.
 
As many know all too well, I don’t sit still too long.  While we were hanging out in ER, I was “checking out” all the equipment, supplies and plugs/ports in the wall.  All that stuff fascinates me.  My usual m.o. is that after a doctor, nurse or tech person leaves the room, I stand up, start wandering around and scope things out.  It’s like my own discovery show!  This way if my mom needs an extra blanket, I know where they’re kept.  If she needs a pillowcase or washcloth, I know what cabinet they’re in.  If we need to plug her phone in, I know which plugs to use and which not to use.  If she needed her bed repositioned, I know which buttons to push!
 
As I was discovering and scoping things out, I saw this “thing” flying around the ceiling.  Without thinking, I exclaimed probably a bit too loud and with a bit of excitement: “Oh my, what’s THAT?”  While my mom and dad weren’t fazed by my statement, my sister, who is afraid of ANYTHING flying or crawling no matter how big or small, was putting up the defense shields faster than Captain Kirk could cloak the U.S.S. Enterprise from invading Klingons!  Okay, I have to be a big brother here and say I take a tad bit of delight in watching some of this unfold at times … “Come on, it’s just a small little thing.”
 
As my sister’s defense shields were being extended for an all-out battle, I walked over to the corner of the room where this thing landed and got close up to it.  As I was eyeing it, my mom identified it right away as a stink bug.  Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea what a stink bug was!  But a few have been found in my parents’ house, and I guess they produce quite the smell if they feel they’re under attack or if they’re crushed.  Doing a bit of research online, I found that stink bugs are considered invasive agricultural pests!  My mom creates this solution of water and dish soap that, when sprayed on the little stink bugs, confuses them before they meet their fateful end. My task now was to capture the critter without getting it to release its potent chemical smell; I’m told the smell is similar to a skunk’s smell.  As I surveyed my options, I knew I needed a cup and some type of lid.  After a few milliseconds of analysis and taking into consideration the supplies I had at my “disposal” in this ER room, I knew without second guessing myself that my perfect option was to use … drumroll please … a urine cup; I knew exactly where they were stored in the room!  As I announced my container of choice, my sister gave me one of those looks but at the same time showed some relief that I was willing to take this little critter into custody.
 
With great precision, I lined up the urine cup (and YES, it was empty … SOMEBODY would eventually ask so I thought I ought to disclose this TMI fact).  Unfortunately, the little bug didn’t want to move; it stayed glued to the ceiling.  So I then had to slide a piece of paper over the opening and ceiling to trap him.  Eventually, it worked.  The little stink bug was now safely caught and imprisoned in this now secured urine cup.  Of course, like a little kid, I had to show off the specimen jar to the rest of the family.  We were able to inspect the stink bug through the clear cup.  This was way better than viewing up close pictures of stink bugs on the internet.  As luck would have it, just as I was eyeing and inspecting my “prisoner,” the nurse walked in.  I’m sure I made some lasting impression holding up a secured (and empty) urine cup to my eyes.  She, of course, had no clue what was inside.  We then told her the whole story, and she was grateful for my work!  After all, who needs an ER room smelling like a skunk!  I confessed I used one of the hospital’s urine cups … all for the noble reason to be of assistance, of course, to the ER staff that night!  It was, no doubt, another “Griswold” family experience at Troy Beaumont!
 
Deacon Dominick Pastore:  I am pleased to announce that Deacon Dominick Pastore has been assigned to our parish as a permanent deacon effective July 1.  Deacon Dom, and his wife, Teresa Tomeo, are certainly no strangers to SJA!  Deacon Dom and Teresa are longtime parishioners; Teresa attended SJA school. So we welcome them back home!
 
Ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2012, Deacon Dom is very involved in supporting pro-life groups and causes.  And, in thanksgiving to God for healing their marriage, Deacon Dom and Teresa minister to married couples on pilgrimages, retreats and conferences.  Since his ordination, he has served the communities of St. Angela and then St. Isaac Jogues Parishes.  Deacon Dom has a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Sacred Heart Major Seminary.  He is vice president and senior electrical engineer for SmithGroup in Detroit (one of the largest and oldest architectural engineering firms in the country) where he has been employed since graduating from Penn State University in 1980.  He is a knight in the Order of Malta and a member of the board of Mary’s Mantle, a Catholic home for pregnant and unwed mothers.
 
Please join me in welcoming Deacon Dom and Teresa back to SJA!  We look forward to their help as we advance the Kingdom of God in our amazing parish.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
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