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Children host prayer service for one of their own

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

O’FALLON — When Abby Schuhardt, 8, was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation — AVM — the family discovered not only was this an unusual condition that required research and networking to find a doctor to treat their child, but they also discovered the love and support the St. Clare School family offered to the Schuhardt family.

AVM, according to information on the Internet, is “an abnormal connection between veins and arteries” and should be treated.
Abby had been a student at St. Clare in 2009-10 but now goes to Shiloh Elementary School and belongs to Corpus Christi Parish in Shiloh.

However, when Abby’s St. Clare soccer team heard about her condition, the now third-graders and their coach, Bruce Rackers decided it was time to go into action.

The group wanted to do something special for Abby and decided on a prayer service, led by Abby’s pastor, Msgr. James Margason.

Msgr. Margason, touched by the children’s faith in the power of prayer, asked the youngsters if they would continue to pray for Abby as she undergoes treatment for this condition in December. They gave him a resounding “yes.”
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, the family was in tears during most of the service, and people in the pews, mostly parents, were also wiping their eyes as candles were lit and Abby was anointing.

The parish will help the family with costs associated with the treatment which includes trips to New York to a doctor there.

Anyone wishing to donate is asked to call the parish office at 632-7614.