Eugene Dizon

My faith has been a part of my life since a very early age. I was only eight days old when I was baptized. I guess my mom wanted to make sure my original sin was washed away as soon as possible. I grew up in a very devoutly Catholic family. We went to Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation; and, we prayed the Rosary regularly. I attended Catholic School for twelve years including six years here at St. Catherine of Siena School where I graduated eighth grade twenty-five years ago this year, in 1992. I was also an altar boy here at St. Catherine church. I've been an usher. I've sung in choirs. I've been in different youth ministry groups since I was a youth until now. I've volunteered and taught in the Confirmation programs of two parishes. My father is an ordained deacon. You all know my dad, Deacon Albert. I even contemplated entering the priesthood myself for a little bit. My grandma always hoped I'd become a priest. I guess you could say my “Catholic resume” was pretty full. Today, I've come to look at all of this as training for my family and me to help us in dealing with my illness and disability.
 
For those of you that don't know and were wondering, I have Valley Fever. It's a fungal infection that got into my lungs, then into my brain, then into my spine and caused a lot of neurological damage. As a result, I've had several brain and spine surgeries. I've beaten the odds many times and cheated death more than once. Going through all that has taken its toll. Long story short, it’s left me with some physical deficiencies, severe weakness, and paralysis for the past ten years, and then some. Because I can't walk, I need a wheelchair to get around. You've probably seen me rolling around in it. It's kind of hard to miss. I deal with the effects of my illness and condition every day. It's a constant struggle, and I get through it all with the strength that my family and my faith give me.
 
I sincerely believe I'm making it through all of this because of two very important things: my faith and my family. To me, the two are intertwined. When I think of one, it always includes the other. My faith is strengthened by my family, and my family is strengthened by my faith. When I think of all the times I'm in and out of the hospital, I always have my family there. And, what do you think they're doing? Why, they're praying, of course! Because my father is a deacon, I've been visited in the hospital and given blessings by many of his fellow deacons, a few priests, and even a couple of bishops! You've probably heard my name a few times in the intentions for the sick at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful and prayed for me, too. All those blessings and prayers have strengthened me through my struggles. I'm blessed to have both a strong faith and a strong family to give me strength. Because I've received so much, I feel the need to give back. There are a lot of things that I'm no longer capable of doing, but I do what I can to help where I can. I continue to work with the youth of our parish in the Confirmation program, sharing my faith journey with them in the hope that it helps them in their decision to be confirmed. Come join me; we can always use more help. I'm also on the parish Communications Committee helping to publish the parish bulletin every week. We all have our own different talents and abilities, and we're all called to use them to glorify our Lord.