Isaiah Masek’s supporters include Saint Paul Seminary rector, priests, faculty, staff — and an NFL head coach.
Briefly
- Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell wore a “Zaestrong” bracelet during Monday Night Football to honor 5-year-old brain cancer patient Isaiah Masek, highlighting the family’s story in front of millions.
- The Saint Paul Seminary and Twin Cities Catholic community have come together to support the Masek family through prayers, meals and a GoFundMe campaign that has nearly doubled its $15,000 goal.
- Acts of prayer and kindness from seminarians and faculty have provided vital support for the Maseks, reflecting what Isaiah’s mother describes as “human formation happening in real time.”
An astute observer might have noticed Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell wearing a purple and yellow wristband above his right hand during Minnesota’s Monday Night Football victory over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 16. One side of the bracelet features “Isaiah 43:19,” which reads “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The other side says “Zaestrong” in honor of 5-year-old brain cancer patient Isaiah Masek, the son of Saint Paul Seminary counselor Krista Masek.
Krista, her husband Joe, Isaiah and his brother and sister have been on a harrowing journey the past few months after an MRI revealed a large tumor between Isaiah’s cerebellum and brain stem. Among surgery, multiple procedures, radiation treatments and trips to and from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the family has received an overwhelming amount of support from the seminary and broader Twin Cities Catholic community, Krista said.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed with how the community has supported us. So many beautiful tears of empathy. They care in a way I never would’ve known.” — Krista Masek, Saint Paul Seminary counselor
That includes O’Connell, who invited the family to practice then Monday’s game after learning about Isaiah’s journey from Fr. Nels Gjengdahl, the Vikings’ Catholic chaplain and dean of men at The Saint Paul Seminary.
“Great to have you at our walk-through today,” O’Connell posted on Isaiah’s CaringBridge site Dec. 15. “I support you in your journey and know that you are strong and full of courage.”
Isaiah gave O’Connell the bracelet — also now worn by many seminarians, seminary faculty and staff, and Twin Cities Catholics in support of the Maseks — after the practice. The coach promised him he’d wear it in front of a national TV and streaming audience on Monday Night Football.
It’s just the latest in a series of moments that have helped carry the Masek family through an extraordinarily difficult time, Krista said.
Saint Paul Seminary rector Fr. Joseph Taphorn and director of pastoral formation Fr. Brian Gross prayed for healing over Isaiah in his hospital bed. Director of human formation Fr. John Floeder confirmed him. Spiritual director Fr. Kevin Manthey gave him a special blessing. Professor of homiletics Fr. Michael Monshau, OP, came to pray with him. Seminary alumni Fr. Jim Livingston said a healing Mass for Isaiah and all the other patients at the hospital on Oct. 28, the Feast of St. Jude.
Seminarians and seminary employees have brought the family meals and prayed multiple holy hours, including during the time of Isaiah’s surgery. A GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses has nearly doubled the $15,000 goal.
Earlier this year, Krista taught a course on hospital ministry. Now, she’s seeing seminarians take part in what she calls “human formation happening in real time” as Isaiah continues radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed with how the community has supported us,” Krista said. “So many beautiful tears of empathy. They care in a way I never would’ve known was possible.”
