Print Issue: September 5, 2002

The Power of Prayer Propels Parishioner

Sarah Cannon, a clinical dietician at Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, strongly believes in the power of prayer. Prayer not only provides her direction, but it allows her to reach out to patients emotionally and spiritually. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

By Will Thomas, Staff Intern

ATLANTA - In virtually all human cultures, societies have always had some form of spiritual reflection or prayer, especially when dealing with those who are sick or facing death. Despite the scientific evidence pointing to the effectiveness of prayer, it is rarely accepted as a form of treatment, especially in Western society. However for Cathedral of Christ the King parishioner Sarah Cannon, she not only accepts the power of prayer, she exemplifies it through her daily activities.

Cannon works as a clinical dietician at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. Her profession requires her to give advice on the design of special diets for well and ill patients. Her Catholic faith helps her deal with the various life-threatening illnesses that her patients face such as kidney disease, cancer and anorexia.

"Nourishment of the Eucharist straightens me throughout the week when I deal with my patients," she said. "Without faith, I would have no direction. Prayer enables me to help patients not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually."

As one of eight children growing up in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Cannon said she grew up with a strong Catholic influence - especially from her mother.

"She instilled the importance of prayer and how it gives us answers and direction in life," she said.

Her passion to help others continued and led her to the Sisters of Life formation in New York City. During her five-month visit, Cannon explored the possibilities of being called to the sisterhood. The three-times-a-day prayer sessions, she says, reinforced her belief in the power of prayer.

"I felt that I was being called to a deeper service in the church and so I wanted to investigate that experience for myself," said Cannon. "The sisters would speak of this spiritual battle between the culture of life versus the culture of death, which I repeat to the teens when I work with them."

She says the culture of life versus the culture of death comes in many faces such as an aging parent dealing with death, abortion situations or even a teenager dealing with the pressure of having sex before marriage.

"What it comes down to is choosing Christ over all, yet today's culture is what makes these decisions so difficult, especially with the mass distribution of information through the various outlets of the media," she said.

However Cannon tries to combat the media with her volunteer work at Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell. She supervises a group called "Goretti's Forum," a respect-life organization in its second year, whose goal is to evangelize teens in the archdiocese. The students also host different programs, where they invite guest speakers and at times perform various skits.

"The students are just so inspiring. I admire their creativity and courage in standing up against injustice in their world, while delivering the message to their peers, in their own unique way," she said.

Cannon has also been working diligently with the archdiocese's fund-raising campaign "Jeremiah's Call," which hopes to heighten awareness of the respect-life message throughout the Catholic community. She is in charge of the prayer meetings that have been held during the campaign.

Held once a week, usually in the early evening at one of the four host parishes (Christ the King, St. Benedict, Duluth, Holy Spirit, Atlanta, and St. Jude, Atlanta), the prayer services' purpose is to come together in prayer, evangelization and finally to raise funds for Jeremiah's Call. The meetings have been taking place since late July, and will continue until the culminating event on Nov. 18, that will be hosted by the archbishop.

"I've seen the devastation that these issues can cause, and I feel God has called me to spread the good news, and also to show these individuals that there is help out there," she said.

Whether it is dealing with the elderly at Crawford Long Hospital, working with parishioners on Jeremiah's Call, or simply offering advice to teens at Blessed Trinity High School, Cannon feels that prayer offers new meaning, purpose and a fighting spirit.

"We sometimes love the work so much that we forget to give thanks to the giver," said Cannon. "I just try to serve as a voice for life, for those who can't speak for themselves."