Joe Kasha helps heal Lynnwood's broken hearts

Volunteer honoured for reaching out to the sick

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

The 80-year-old man was a resident at Lynnwood Continuing Care Centre and had been away from church for a long time.

"When I met him, he was at the stage where he was really desiring to come back and receive the sacraments."

Kasha referred the man to a priest. The priest met the patient, celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation and gave Communion to him.

"It was a story of a broken heart being healed by God," Kasha said.

Kasha brought Communion to the man until he died four years ago.

Dubbed "Father Joe" by Lynnwood residents, Kasha recently received an award for his outstanding voluntary efforts from Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole.

"Joe is an example to all volunteers. His dedication and cheerfulness is very commendable," proclaimed Hole.

After 20 years of volunteering at Lynnwood, 78-year-old Joe Kasha still organizes Mass for residents and staff there on Saturdays.

This dedicated Catholic also prays the rosary weekly across from the Morgentaler abortion clinic and supports 13 foster children overseas.

Locally, Kasha is well loved by the people he met through the Legion of Mary and other Church groups. Rosemarie Sherman has known him for 20 years.

"He is very quiet and goes about his work very thoroughly," Sherman told the WCR. "When he says he's going to do something, he's there every time."

"Joe really loves the people in Lynnwood," said Sherman, who met Kasha in the Annunciation Parish.

She says whenever there is something going on in the archdiocese, Kasha was the man to phone because he always goes and always has space in his car for anyone who needs a ride.

Mary Bass met Kasha through the Legion of Mary. "As a person, I don't think you can find a much better person like Joe," Bass said. "You never hear him say any bad word about anybody."

A caring citizen, Kasha says it is compassion for his fellow man that prompts him to visit the lonely in the hospital.

"I am just thankful to God that I was not in that position, but I know we are all called to do something for them as Christians," Kasha said.

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