Catholic Priests To Take Ice Bucket Challenge
Bermuda’s Roman Catholic Priests have accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of Fr. Jerome Kroetsch, the former Pastor of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, who died from ALS in September 2012.
The Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon has swept the internet in the past few weeks, and Bermuda has not been immune to this, as witnessed recently by photos of the Governor in the news accepting the Challenge.
The rules of the ALS Challenge are simple: those who have been tagged or challenged by participants have two options — first, to record a video of themselves pouring a bucket with icy cold water over their head or have someone else do it for them; second, to donate to an ALS charity of their choice.
This is done to promote awareness of the disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] or Lou Gehrig’s disease while at the same time encouraging more people to donate to its research cause. Most participants will donate to the cause even if they accept the Ice Bucket Challenge.
ALS is a debilitating disease that causes the nerve cells in the body to stop working leading to paralysis and a slow and painful death. There is no cure for the disease.
Fr. Jerome Kroetsch [pictured], CR, former Pastor of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, suffered and died from this disease on September 17, 2012.
A spokesperson said, “In memory of Fr. Jerry and in support of ongoing research into the cure for ALS, the Roman Catholic priests are being called to accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Sunday, August 31, at 3:00 p.m. in Victoria Park.
“Come out to witness this five-minute event and donate to support the fight to end ALS. Donations may be made at the event itself or online at alsa.org or by calling [888] 949-2577. Thank you for your support.”
As of today [Aug 27], the ALS Association said they have received $94.3 million in donations compared to $2.7 million during the same time period last year [July 29 to August 27]. These donations have come from existing donors and 2.1 million new donors.
The ALS Association has been given a great deal of money and with that comes tremendous responsibility,” said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association.
“We are absolutely committed to transparency and will be communicating regularly with the ALS community, our donors, the media and the public about progress to invest these dollars wisely in areas that will have maximum impact on the fight against this devastating disease.”
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- Video: Catholic Priests’ Ice Bucket Challenge | Bernews.com | September 1, 2014
Father Jerry was the Priest at St. Patrick’s when I was a wee toddler. He was a great man, so am glad you are all commemorating him and raising funds for charity. All the best.
whilst it is very impressive the amount of money raised, I did read symptoms experienced by an Als sufferer in the newspaper and the symptons mimc those of Fibromylgia patients who continue to suffer.. with it already being stated that there is no cure just curious as to how one is able to do research and who will be doing research, where,when and how is it diagnosed.. With all the fun people are having as if its a great big party a lot of forthcoming information on the actual diseas is missing and lost in the fever of the challenge..It is not easy to diagnose certain syptoms and for someone to diagnose themselves with it knowing that it can never be cured, who actually made the analysis that it can never be cured and is that conclusive? If so what is the money raised going specifically towards.. Fibromyalgia patients are also sufferers who need to be understood and live amongst us in Bermuda,..I am curious as to why a disease that is old really(had a different name years ago, same symptons) has resurfaced with such fever? not impressed with who is doing the bucket challenged more impressed with where is the money being delegated to, thats a lot of money to investigate something that already has been said not to have a cure. I would like to visualize the transparency(t.v.) of this so called ALs with actual sufferers explaining how they can actually be helped, monetarily.
still waiting for update on the “cancer” fight. the “war against drugs” ect. Heard of many cures but yet hands are outstretched still with no updates on who has been assisted, and how, has anyone been cured to date? real talk!Has it been determined what is a drug? and how is the war going on that one!?!
Your comments are very insensitive here and inappropriate, so grow up and take time to read the entire story above and you would see the challenge is being given for a worthy and notable cause, it is jack Benny’s like you that make’s it hard for my christian soul to stop cussing. To the catholic Priest and all that have participated so far, I say well done, just ignore stupidity and it will eventually go away.
The Catholic Church has taken a firm stance against stem cell research. As such, they have also condemned participation in these events. It is not that the Church is heartless; it is that we are not to play God.
The pain and suffering of cancer patients, and those with ALS is not to be dismissed. But in the end if one believes in heaven/hell, what is more important our short life here or eternity with our Lord? God Bless to all.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=2972
@Ruby wang -thanks for the link, read it with interest!But maybe the catholic church in Bermuda unaware of its restrictions..much appreciated.
D.Santucci—You don’t have the power to tell anyone to grow up—-Ebola has been floating around in the media yet no one has bothered to try and raise money or question why that report is resurfacing… Wake up Son!!!Don’t believe the hype its a sequel.. We have issues without tissues right now no time for wishy washy oky doky we need to question EVERTHING we do not understand especially after being hoodwinked and bamboozled for so long.. I trust NOONE! And by the way have you noticed no one is trying to take buckets of water for EBOLI??? They just wanna get rid of those people and spread FEAR (false evidence appearing real)Emotions are always used to hoodwink, why not just come out with truth/facts instead of trying to appeal to a persons senses.. either something is appealing or isn’t but seems like you have been really under a spell and don’t wanna snap out of it…
As a point of interest —four Kentucky firefighters were electricuted while participating in the ALS challenge, one seriously burned victim, one ok and other two released.. Others have been in silly accidents although not serious, but the friend of the actual young man that inspired this Bucket challenge actually died in a diving accident after raising over one hundred thousand dollars for the “incurable disease”.. Peter Frates reported that his friend 27 year old Corey Griffith had worked his butt off before diving to his death… I hope enough money has been raised to stop the challenge before it gets further out of hand..
Stop the madness!
more people die from not having fresh water than having ALS!
do some research people.
Mr. Santucci,
You know as well as I do that everyone is entitled to their opinion whether we like it or not so suck it up and stop criticizing.
MJ expressed his view and so did you. There may be people that don’t like your response. You also know as well that one should really think about what they say before they say it so please – Check yourself first. You didn’t do so well. But hey that’s nothing new. Check yourself.
MJ does have a point. Worthy cause or not!
Okay I can understand the cause but the way its being presented is stupid. This is like follow the leader, and if I jump off the cliff, will you follow – again this is stupid
Sorry, but this is wrong. 3.4 million people die each year for lack off clean drinking water. Do something else to raise awareness for ALS please, and the money wasted on water, send to UNICEF.