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Wayne Messmer to perform 'Damien,' a one-man play by Aldyth Morris

Chicago actor Wayne Messmer assumes his critically acclaimed role of Father Damien, "the Leper Priest of Molokai," in the award-winning one-man play "Damien" by Aldyth Morris at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in West Dundee. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the church, 845 W. Main St. A free will donation is appreciated.

"We look forward to seeing the inspiring portrayal of Father Damien by Wayne Messmer right here in our own community," said Father Matthew DeBlock, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church. "Everyone is welcome to join us and learn how Father Damien overcame the odds. He attended to the needs of thousands of tragically abandoned men, women and children in Hawaii who were beset with the incurable and thought-to-be highly contagious leprosy (Hansen's disease)."

Messmer fought his own life's battle back from despair when he was shot in the neck in a senseless and random act of violence in 1994, a tragedy that has had a profound affect on the deepening of his faith. "The spirit of this man (Damien) inspires me to the core," says Messmer. "I treasure every time I am given the privilege to share the heart and soul of this incredible and unique human being with the audience."

Pope Benedict XVI canonized Saint Damien in a ceremony held at the Vatican on Oct. 11, 2009. The remarkable story of this courageous man of conviction will be told as Messmer brings this powerful message to life.

Messmer, an accomplished actor, has shed his typical life career as singer, financial planner and radio/TV celebrity performing Damien since 2002 to rave reviews.

Long a devotee of Damien, Messmer has actively studied Damien's fascinating and inspiring life. Wayne and his wife, Kathleen, visited the leper community in Kalaupapa, Molokai Hawaii, as a way of honing in on this remarkable hero's spirit and persona.

Messmer has a deep and abiding interest in sharing the passion of Damien, a Christian martyr, and hero of the world. Father Damien struggled in the late 1800s to find a way to attend to many who had been banished and left to die in exile through no fault of their own. Damien was a source of infinite strength and divine hope for the thousands of individuals who were sent away to Molokai. News of his reputation for offering his humble and selfless caring and love spread across the world like a wild fire, and continues today, more than a century after his death.

Father Damien was very countercultural for his time period, but it was his faith that carried him through to fight and serve others even to the point of being struck down with leprosy himself. He found the strength to build homes, provide water and food and bury the dead so that wild animals would not carry about their corpses. Damien was a dearly loved priest by the people for whom he cared, right until the very end. He died of leprosy after 16 years at the Kalaupapa settlement where he ceaselessly cared for the body and souls of the masses.

For more information, contact the St. Catherine of Siena Church parish office at (847) 426-2217 or visit www.stcatherinechurch.com.

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