By Frank X. Ellis

Recently Dr. Dennis Herendeen, a Douglasville psychologist, was asked how persons should react to the Persian Gulf crisis.

“The number one way of coping with stress is the support of a loving family and friends and I would encourage us to reach out to our friends and family at a time like this and just talk about it and attempt to keep our feet planted firmly in reality,” he added.

Numerous members of St. Philip Benizi parish in Jonesboro, many miles removed from Douglasville, are living out that kind of advice. The evening of February 5 approximately 120 men, women and children took still another step in their continuing effort to support each other as loved ones remain almost 10,000 miles away in the Saudi Arabian desert and its environs.

A Mass for peace was celebrated by Father Frank J Guista, pastor, assisted by Deacon Joseph C. Anzalone. A brief reception in the parish hall followed, giving participants more opportunity to show their concern for the families. Helen Rickman, activities director, said there are now 34 parish families with one or more relatives or friends overseas. Two families have two sons each in Saudi Arabia.

In his brief sermon, Deacon Anzalone emphasized the “need for faith,” taking his theme from the story of Jesus healing the daughter of Jairus and the woman who knew that if “she but touched His garment, she would be healed.” He and his wife, Judy, are parents of 23-year-old Marine, Joe Jr., last known to be on the USS Iwo Jima, awaiting transfer to the ground forces.

“We help protect each other,” he told the others with loved ones overseas, “and you encourage our faith, but with Scuds and Patriots we begin to fear. Machine gun teams are not the answer. We fear and we take our eyes off the answer, in turn producing more fear. In Jesus Christ, among this full-fledged community of support, the answer is found.”

“Our God is stronger than Scuds, stronger than Hussein, stronger than Iraq, tougher even than the Marines. Faith in Him is the answer. I have placed my son in God’s hands. My faith is in my God and my son is in His hands. We need to remind each other of this daily.”

Entering the vestibule of the church on Flint River Road, one notices a bulletin board with names and photos of the men and women serving abroad. Mrs. Rickman has asked each family to supply a photo so parishioners can place a face with each name, perhaps adding a further dimension to the intercessory prayers being offered daily for their safe return.

After Mass, parishioners shared thoughts with one another. Belinda Hackett, a Bradford, Pa., native, said her brother, David, 30, and two cousins from Pennsylvania are in the war zone. Her husband, Walter, has two nephews serving there and his brother-in-law.

“I run a delivery service,” he said, “and I and others are talking about the war all day. But I feel this is good, we need to let it out and a group like this is helpful, too.”

Bob Odendahl spoke proudly of older brother, Timmy, now in Saudi Arabia. His mother, Sandra, also spoke of the comfort she and husband, Hubert, receive from the church’s organized effort at support.

Referring to her son, Timmy, she said, “He left home a week ago tonight but has been in the Army a year and a half.

“We’ve been talking about the war and supporting each other since the beginning and it does help. Yes, I am afraid. I got a sick feeling the night he left but I fully expect him to come back.”

“I reminded him about packing his Bible, but he was a step ahead of me. He replied, ‘The Bible got me through basic training,’ so I know he’s going to be all right. The support here at the church has been great. People began calling us as soon as they learned Timmy was going overseas.”

Anzalone and his wife, natives of New York state, try not to let the situation control their lives. “We don’t let it dominate our thinking and acting,” Joe stated. “God is in this situation and God has placed our son in this situation for His glory and praise. We try to remind Joe of that fact as well.”

The Marine, a 1986 Riverdale High graduate, in service for four years, was eight days away from his discharge when his time of service was extended. A truck mechanic, he had a job awaiting him with a Jonesboro truck rental firm, his father said.

The older Anzalone emphasized the importance of parish and family support. “Our support for one another,” he noted, looking at Judy, “was a natural thing. From the community, the support has been uplifting and extremely helpful.”

“Our son, too, has experienced that support. He has received cards and letters from all over the United States and we know they mean so very much to him and to us,” Joe, Sr. explained.

The parish began the Mass in October and has continued it once a month since. “Now it’s pretty much permanent on the first Tuesday evening of the month at 7. Yes, the public is invited to attend,” Mrs. Rickman said.

Mrs. Rickman said the parish lists the names of all those in service to be read at all Masses. A second list has the addresses of the service people so parishioners can write to them.

Another permanent deacon at St. Philip’s, Walker P. King, an Atlanta native, also has a son in service, though not yet in the war zone. Seaman Third Class Eugene (Ray) King, a Riverdale High graduate, is on the USS Bagley in San Diego.

His father explained that “We’ve been told the Bagley is to be de-commissioned but those on board are being reassigned. It looks like Ray will be going over there soon.”

King, a criminal investigator with the Fulton County District Attorney’s office, has been a deacon since May 1987. He and his wife, Patricia, are parents of six adopted children. Ray is one of four brothers and sisters adopted together.

King said the parish’s support efforts have been “invaluable.”

“If we didn’t have such an effort, these folks would be sitting home by themselves worrying and wondering about their loved ones,” he said. “This way we can and do share our cares and concerns. We also can share our prayers.”

“We started out as a small group but it has continued to grow and serves such a wonderful purpose,” King said.

(Frank Ellis is a freelance writer and member of St. Theresa’s parish, Douglasville.)