Longtime readers may remember a deacon by the name of Tom Stonecipher; last year, I posted an item on him and his remarkable journey to the Catholic Church and the diaconate. Yesterday, the diaconate grapevine passed along news that Deacon Tom has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I dropped him an e-mail, and this is what he wrote back:

I received the biopsy results yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for December 2. I have decided that removal of the prostate is my best option and offers the best chance to be cancer-free.

Ministry going well have not had much time to blog I still work full time and with the commute twelve hour days are the norm.

Please request prayers using all the resources available. I would appreciate knowing the people of God are remembering me at this time. I have supported many as they journeyed through health issues but now it appears it’s my turn. I am still struggling with all this entails. Beckey and I are on vacation at St. Simons for several days. The island is my favorite place and a wonderful place to put all this in perspective.

Please keep the Stoneciphers in your prayers. If you visit Tom’s blog, you will find an e-mail address if you’d like to send thoughts, prayers, wisdom, and support. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.