About us: 2 Hearts Network

2 Hearts Network, Inc.

named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Ministry Expansion Outline

2 Hearts Network began in 1998 solely as an internet ministry dedicated to helping people cope with chronic illness through their Catholic faith and prayer life.

It is now our intention to expand this ministry to one comprised of ill persons who may physically, emotionally, and spiritually interact with each other. We wish to begin this ministry extension in the Diocese of Tulsa, and later expand to the entire state of Oklahoma; and, eventually, we foresee active participation in the entire United States, with hopes of spreading internationally.

To learn more about our expansion efforts, including our plans to build a ministry facility, please see our
2 Hearts Network Expansion Brochure.

We are encouraging all who work or volunteer in the network, the chronically ill members of the ministry, and the family members of those who are ill to also join the Confraternity of Holy Cross which was established by Bishop Slattery several years ago.

Active Participants in the Network will include:

People who suffer with chronic illness themselves
Family members of those persons who suffer with chronic illness (spouses, children, siblings, etc.)
Caregivers: people who care for the ill, either in their own homes or in other facilities
Healthcare providers: physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists
Members of the clergy and religious clerics: to provide spiritual guidance and clarification of Catholic doctrine and policy as directed by the Holy See (especially in regard to Living Wills, euthanasia, etc.)

Goals of the 2 Hearts Network include:

Providing a support system for people who are afflicted with incurable, chronic illness
Providing encouragement and hope to people who have loved ones with chronic illness
Sharing the benefits of redemptive suffering: for our own souls, the souls of others, and the souls in Purgatory.
Bringing to the forefront the role of the Catholic Church and Catholic doctrine as the means to accept suffering and God’s Divine Will for our lives
Emphasizing the need to receive the Sacraments often and the benefits that can be derived from this
Establishing local prayer groups that meet periodically for the purpose of offering suffering to God for the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and conversion of hearts
Educating members about the levels of suffering: physical, emotional, and spiritual; and, that suffering is individual—not all of us suffer in the same way. Each member—depending on whether he is the ill person, the caregiver, or family member—sees the suffering from a different viewpoint, and therefore has a unique perspective on how an illness can affect life
Encouragement to live our lives in uniformity to God’s Divine Will, regardless of what that might entail and however uncomfortable it makes us or disagreeable it is to our own desires for the quality of our lives

Current Undertakings:

Appointment made with my local pastor to seek his blessing on this ministry for the week after Holy Week: Monsignor Gier gave me his blessing to continue to pursue this expansion with the diocesan office. He suggested I continue to work on my book about redemptive suffering for the chronically ill simultaneously with this expansion, and then proceed to see the Vicar General of the Tulsa Diocese.
Appointment set with Msgr. Gaalaas, Vicar General of the Diocese, for June 14, to discuss ministry expansion plans.
The appointment went very well with the Vicar General, Msgr. Gaalaas. He is asking me to obtain a letter of recommendation from my Pastor, Msgr. Gier that we can take to the Bishop when we meet with him. Msgr. Gaalaas is willing to go with me, if necessary, to my conference with Bishop, and he assures me that he will help me get an appointment if he needs to step in on my behalf.
As soon as I receive my letter of recommendation, I will set an appointment to discuss the plans of the ministry to expand with my local bishop, with the intent of seeking his prior approval before moving forward. I received the letter from Msgr. Gier and faxed it to the Vicar General. He wants to speak directly with Bishop first on my behalf as soon as they are both in town. Msgr. Gaalaas had vacation time scheduled and Bishop will be in Germany for the World Youth Day event, so it will be a few weeks before they can both meet.
Msgr. Gaalaas, Vicar General, called today (August 25, 2005) to advise me that I have the approval of the Bishop to move forward with our expansion plans.
Immediately after receiving Bishop's approval, active members and advisors will be solicited so that the ministry may begin working in the local diocese. Msgr. Gaalaas will be discussing with our diocesan newspaper the possibility of doing an article on our ministry and our plans/purpose in order to incite interest in the ministry and make others aware of our existence.
Once Bishop has approved this expansion, I will file the necessary paperwork to become a non-profit organization in the state of Oklahoma. We have been working diligently on a business plan in order to obtain foundation grant monies for the actual building of a structure and operating capital. I have been advised to have it completed before I submit the paperwork to the state of Oklahoma. Until we get to the point of construction, we plan to hold weekly meetings at a local parish center for those who need help coping with their chronic illnesses. This will help establish our presence in the community, and we can assess the needs of our members more readily with first-hand feedback.
We are now officially incorporated with the state and federal governments! Our paperwork was filed with the state of Oklahoma today (February 11), on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, also declared "World Day of the Sick" by the Pope! What better day to select than this great feast day of Our Lady to make the birthday of this ministy?
Special thanks to these generous people: Dale Parkey, afflicted with Diabetes, is a professional Interior Designer who has volunteered his services FREE of charge, and is currently working on a schematic floor plan for our facility. An architect has been hired to complete the floor plan and renderings/elevations of our facility. Richard Winn, with The Winn Office - Architecture, in Tulsa, OK, has agreed to assist us with the building and construction, overseeing all of our architectural needs. A schematic design of the front of our building will be coming soon!
We have found ideal property in Tulsa, OK, next door to the Social Security Administration building. Nine acres are for sale there; we've contacted a commercial realtor to negotiate the cost of purchasing this property. We were outbid for this property this month (February, 2006), so new property is currently being located for the construction of our facility.
Unfortunately we have had several setbacks during our expansion process. The individual paid to create our business plan bailed on us and has actually disappeared with our $1000 advance payment. We are in desperate need of an individual willing to donate their time to assist us in the creation of a business plan so that we may proceed further. Also, anyone with grant-writing expertise is desperately needed. Please contact our ministry as soon as possible if you are willing to help us!

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11/29/2008

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