“We began to feel strongly that we were being led to Our Lady of Guadalupe as an intercessor for Sydney. Coincidentally, her feast day was December 12, so we knew that we had exactly two days to prepare and begin a novena if we wanted it to end precisely on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” said Darlene Walsh, the principal of St. Philip School.
And prepare they did – almost overnight. When the school secretary contacted Lifetouch National School Studios to purchase a copy of Sydney’s class picture, a representative generously went one step further, shipping 15 copies of the photograph by express courier at no charge to the school. Each classroom was given an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a copy of Sydney’s picture for its prayer table. The novena was printed and distributed to every student and staff member. At 1:30 each afternoon, all activity ceased and the entire school recited the novena together, led over the main intercom by Walsh and Assistant Principal Patricia McCormick.
A few days after the novena began, a stranger knocked on the school doors to inquire about Sydney. The woman related that she had heard about the youngster through a prayer line at St. Patrick’s parish in Providence, and she wanted to assure everyone that the St. Patrick community was praying for Sydney.
“This woman told us, in fact, that the folks at St. Patrick’s had just begun a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe to ask for Sydney’s healing!” Walsh shakes her head in amazement.
“Our Diocesan assistant superintendent of schools, Lillian McIntyre, found an icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe during a visit to the Knights of Columbus Museum in Connecticut. She brought it back to the chancery and had it blessed by Bishop Tobin before presenting it to Sydney’s family. She told us that the staff at the Catholic Schools Office also conducted a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sydney’s behalf.”
On the last day of the novena, the Khoury family was invited to the prayer service in church.
“We knew that the possibility of their attending was remote, since Sydney was scheduled for a chemotherapy treatment that afternoon,” Walsh related. “But at the last minute, her blood counts kept her from receiving the treatment, and she was able to attend. I believe that the service was even more beautiful and meaningful to us because little Sydney, the reason for our prayer, was present there with us.”
“It was an incredible experience for all of us,” said Diane Ahern, “No one knew until the last minute that Sydney would be coming. She had been so weak that we knew that even if she did, she would probably be carried in. However, she insisted on wearing her school uniform, and when she actually walked into the church, supported by her parents, we were astounded. “It was a really gray day,” Ahern continued, “but as the prayer service began and the congregation began the first song, sunlight suddenly burst through the stained glass windows over the altar. It was as if rays of God’s love and power were shining down on all of us as we raised our voices to Him with confidence and hope.”
The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe was told, and the kindergarten students processed down the aisle with roses to place in front of an image of Our Lady. Art teacher Joe Hanon had created and hand-painted a replica of the tilma with its miraculous image that was worn by St. Juan Diego, which was placed in front of the church for all to see. Sydney’s classmates sang a song called “Dear God, It’s Me” that so moved the people in attendance that there was hardly a dry eye in the church, recalled Walsh.
After the final novena prayer, Monsignor Evans prayed over Sydney, offering a special blessing for her healing. He then blessed two statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and presented them to Sydney and her sister, Ava.
Word of the service had apparently spread because people who weren’t even associated with the school were in attendance, Walsh said.
“There was such depth of feeling in the church that day. Some of our parents held each other and cried. When a child’s health and life hang in the balance, it really hits people hard. It makes us all realize that life is truly precious, that none of us know what tomorrow will bring, and that things can change in the blink of an eye. But I think that what I felt most of all that day was hope. It just seemed that God wanted Sydney to be there with us. We know that whatever happens and whatever God’s will is in all of this, we can rely on Him for our strength and on each other for support.” Walsh said the experience has brought everyone even closer together as a community.
“One of our fathers told us that getting his son to say his prayers had always been a bit of a chore, but now it is his son who reminds the rest of the family when it’s time to pray, and he always makes sure they include a special intention for Sydney.” Further, she noted, “It is not uncommon to hear one of our students, staff, or parents ask another if he or she has heard any news about Sydney. St. Philip is a wonderful, vibrant, and caring faith community, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.”
“You should hear the prayers of these children,” Ahern added. “They are spontaneous and truly come from their hearts. ‘Jesus, wrap Your arms around our friend Sydney’; ‘Jesus, we love Sydney, help her get strong;’ ‘Jesus, take care of Sydney’s mom and dad, too.’ I hear things like this in kindergarten every day now.”
“I do hope and pray,” Walsh said softly, “that in the not-too-distant future, you will find us organizing a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in thanksgiving for the gift of Sydney’s healing.” Little Sydney’s story is far from over. The school and parish continue to support the Khourys and to keep Sydney close in spirit. The dinner brigade that provides meals for the family is ongoing. A special friendship quilt is being created for Sydney that contains the handprints of her classmates and teachers. Her friends continue to call her from the school office. One of them, in a show of solidarity with her ailing classmate, has chosen to cut and donate her own hair to the Locks of Love organization which makes hairpieces for disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. And every morning without fail, the St. Philip School community raises its faith-filled heart to God, asking Him to hold Sydney Khoury in the palm of His Hand.
The staff and students of St. Philip School would greatly appreciate your prayers for Sydney.
The St. Philip Parish Men’s Club will donate the proceeds of its annual Lenten Supper to the Khoury Family Trust Fund. The event will be held on March 6th from 4-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. For further information, call 949-1500.
