Digital Marian Helper Spring_2018

Fr. Matthew Lamoureux, the pastor of St. Patrick’s, blessed Nohemi with relics of St. Gianna, the 20 th - century Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother. Saint Gianna, like Nohemi, suffered a tumor while pregnant. Saint Gianna refused both an abortion and hysterectomy, despite the risk to her own life. The saint died after giving birth to her sixth child. Father Matthew had overseen the construction of the shrine several years ago as a place of solace and healing for anyone who suffers from the loss of a child and to celebrate life, specifically by emphasizing a model for contem- porary families. Over the course of her pregnancy, Nohemi and her family were able to attend a few of the spe- cial Masses offered monthly at St. Patrick’s in honor of St. Gianna. They would need the graces, for there was more to come. On July 18, Daniel learned that the factory where he works as a process mechanic would be closing in March 2018. On July 19, the Hinkles were told that their home, the place they had moved to after losing an earlier home in the market crash, would be torn down. They had to move again. And on July 31, their 9-year- old daughter, Melody, fell off their hammock and broke her hand. Nohemi started experiencing contractions, so they were in the ER for more than one reason. Keep in mind: Nohemi had started chemo in July. As the family went about relocating, “house-jumping” in between losing their home and finally settling into a new home on Sept. 8; as Daniel and Nohemi still grieved the loss of Faith Faustina and awaited the coming of their unborn child; as Olivia continued to suffer with no diagnosis in sight; as all of this was going on, Nohemi was also dealing with the effects of chemotherapy. It’s appropriate, then, that Daniel has a devotion to St. Joseph. The Guardian of the Redeemer also had to help his family travel when his wife was pregnant. Saint Joseph also had to be the provider for and the pillar of a family in the face of uncertainty and peril, in the face of a threat to the life of their child, and find new work in a strange land. He also had to believe, in the face of so many reasons to doubt or despair. Our Lady of Fatima Just before Nohemi was due, Our Lady of Fatima came to stay. As happens in many parishes, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima (originally donated by Fr. Matt’s parents) cir- culates among the families of St. Mary Parish. Nohemi had been intending to sign up to have the statue for some time, but some- how had never gotten around to it. As she was leaving church one Monday, the lady in charge of the ministry rolled down the window of her car and told Nohemi to take the statue. “She wants to be with you even if you’re not there.” “That night we kissed her and prayed,” said Nohemi. “We felt peace knowing that she was here.” At the end of the week, on Nov. 21, 2017, Nohemi’s labor was induced and the baby arrived. Daniel and Nohemi named her Gianna. Mother and child went home on Thanksgiving Day. Two weeks later, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima left the Hinkle home — but it seems she left a blessing behind. Their baby was born perfectly healthy. The pilgrimage continues Nohemi is undergoing treatment now for her cancer, receiving chemo and radiation. She has shared her story on Facebook, largely, she said, to make sure people real- ize they can get cancer at any age, and that everyone should be getting regular checkups. “Find out sooner rather than later!” In the meantime, the Hinkles live with uncertainty, enduring their many trials and giving thanks for their many blessings — among others, their family, their par- ish, and their faith. “I’m OK with what’s going on because I know at the end there is a purpose,” Nohemi says. “I don’t question anymore.” This is what ordinary faith looks like in extraordinary cir- cumstances. Please keep the Hinkles in your prayers! MH Nohemi in the hospital for one of her treatments. Right: husband Daniel and daughter Olivia. M arian H elper  • S pring 2018  • marian.org 21