Congratulations Chase & Barbara Ann

The First Communion celebration for Chase and Barbara last week was picture perfect. The service was really beautiful, with 25 children participating. Afterwards, the weather really cooperated, which enabled us to hold our party outside for the children of our guests to run around all afternoon. It was a great opportunity for us to celebrate this special day for Chase and Barbara in a very memorable way.

We know that Chase was very cognizant of what was happening, mainly by monitoring his vital signs. As we began opening his gifts, his breathing rate increased significantly and he was essentially doing all the breathing on his own. He just seemed to be full of life. Barbara really enjoyed opening the presents for him and telling him about them. It was just a great time for our whole family.

Thanks to all who joined us in person or in spirit. We really felt the presence of the Holy Spirit for this important event. Fortunately, Chase continues to remain very stable with strong vitals and bloodwork – the most stable he’s been in months and this really helps to take some of the edge off our stress load. We’re holding in faith our expectation for him to wake up and begin responding once again.

Our next prayer service will be on May 6th at 3 pm in the new Chapel of St. Anastasia in Troy. Please pass the word – this will be for all sick children and the intentions of all participants. We appreciate all the prayers and support for our entire family.

God Bless!!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase Received his First Holy Communion

We had a wonderful Easter week, celebrating the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection and the His promise of eternal life. We enjoyed the time to celebrate with family and friends, although as with any holiday, it was very painful to view Chase in his current condition. Nonetheless, we’re continuing to maintain our hope and faith in the power of prayer and the fact that miracles happen every day. We know that there is nothing beyond the power of God – the fact that Chase is still with us 20 months after being diagnosed with this terrible affliction is a miracle in and of itself.

This past week, we were visited by one of Chase’s Prayer Warriors (Bonita, who lost two sons to this terrible disease). She brought her Spiritual Director, Father George, and we celebrated a beautiful mass together in Chase’s room. Fr. George was moved to give Chase his first Holy Communion – what a blessing and an answer to prayer. We’re just about to celebrate Barbara’s Holy Communion next Sunday (April 22nd) and had been hoping for Chase to take part as well. Now that he has received this Sacrament, the celebration will be for both of them. We’re hoping to have Chase in his wheelchair (outfitted with a vent) to enjoy the party with us.

Chase has continued to be very stable in terms of his vitals and bloodwork, which is quite a relief after the bout he had a few weeks ago with several different issues. He’s also breathing quite well, although somewhat inconsistently. Sometimes he does most of the breathing on his own (over the settings on the ventilator) and other times he lets the machine do all the work. This is somewhat to be expected, so we’re told, as he regains his respiratory strength. Hopefully, his progress will be able to continue and enable us to wean him further off the vent as soon as possible.

We truly appreciate the continued prayers and support from Chase’s Prayer Warriors around the world, as well as the messages of encouragement. We hope this collective journey brings many blessings to all who are joining us in spirit – that is our daily prayer, along with the petition for Chase’s return to divine health.

God Bless!!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Prayers for Chase Crusade

Posted April 03, 2007

This is Chase Sammut, a very sick little six year old boy. In August 2005, Chase was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3, in his brainstem.

The photo on the left was taken before his diagnosis, and the photo on the right is his kindergarten photo, taken a few months later after his diagnosis and treatments with steroids.

Chase’s parents, John and Carol Sammut, have exhausted every available medical alternative and Chase is now unresponsive in a coma. Without a miracle he has only a very short time left.

Please join us in our prayers for Chase and invoking the Lord’s Divine Mercy.

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Heavenly Father,

Creator of heaven and earth and sustainer of it all, praise and honor and glory be to You forever.

We come reverently, yet boldly by the blood of Jesus Your only Son, to Your throne of grace in our time of desperate need. You have invited us in Your Word to call upon You. As we have a high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is touched by our infirmities and makes intercession for us, we know that You hear our request.

Your Word declares that there is no other name by which man can be saved but by the name of Jesus. In that salvation You have made provision not only for our spiritual and emotional healing, but your Word confirms that by the stripes of Jesus we were physically healed as well.

It is with this CONFIDENCE that we bring Chase to You by faith and receive healing for him.

We realize that by ourselves we are powerless to heal him. As little children we believe and receive this gracious gift from You in agreement with Chase's parents John and Carol, Chase's sister Barbara.

We thank You for the provision You made for Chase, 2000 years ago at the Cross of Calvary. We give You thanks in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen - So Be It !!!

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Please submit this prayer request to your congregation and forward it to other Prayer Warriors to join us in praying for Chase.

Chase had a Blessed Week

This was a very blessed week for Chase. The visit of Father Sommers from the National Center for Saint Padre Pio was extremely moving – he spent the day with us in prayer, invoking our Lord to lay his healing hands upon Chase. The results of his blood test at the end of the week were the best in many months – everything seems to be completely stable and / or improving overall. The most visible sign of improvement is the reduction in swelling all over his body – he finally looks like the Chase we know and love.
The prayer service today was also beautiful – what a great way to start Holy Week. Thanks to all who participated in person or in spirit. We have no doubt that the power of these prayers is lifting Chase’s spirits and health. He’s making great strides once again in his breathing – by this evening, he was about at the level he left off when he made all the progress with the weaning off the ventilator several months ago.

Please pass the word among your churches to include Chase in their prayers and petitions during Holy Week and Easter. We know that many of you have already done this but we just wanted to provide a reminder to those who haven’t yet. We’re continuing to believe in the miraculous healing power of faith and prayer. Thanks again to all of Chase’s Prayer Warriors for your ongoing support and devotion.

God Bless!!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann