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Most 17-year-olds look forward with excitement as their senior year approaches. For Sarah Bruins of Holy Family parish in Little Falls, a diagnosis of Stage 3A Hodgkin's lymphoma last December stunned her and her family.

An outstanding student and member of Little Falls City School District's Girl's soccer and basketball teams, Sarah's faith and strength became an inspiration for those around her.

Teammate and fellow Holy Family parishioner Kelli Shepardson proposed having t-shirts made for the basketball team with "Battle Like Bruins" printed on the front. Sarah asked that a verse from 1 Corinthians 16:13 be printed on the back: "Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong."

The idea of the t-shirts spread throughout the school, and soon, basketball fans were filling the stands wearing the shirts which proclaimed the two powerful messages. As the season progressed, the shirts were worn by opposing teams and fans as well.

The Little Falls girls went on - with Sarah playing limited time - undefeated, to win the Section 3 championships. When the team played neighboring Herkimer Central School, teachers at St. Francis de Sales School in Herkimer wore the shirts to that game. Sarah had attended St. Francis de Sales.

Sarah's younger sister, Mary, was confirmed by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger May 6 at Holy Family parish, with Sarah as her sponsor. When the confirmation class attended Mass the day of their retreat, the front rows of the church were filled with devoted young adults wearing the shirts. The class also arranged for a petition of healing for Sarah to be included in the liturgy.

A weekly communicant at Holy Family, along with her parents, Neil and Christine, and sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, Sarah was a source of strength for her family when the terrible diagnosis was learned. Her father, though not a Catholic, said that "Catholics are tough."

Sarah is undergoing chemo-therapy, with her last treatment in June, shortly before her June 28 graduation. She will attend Mohawk Valley Community College in the fall, studying athletic training and nutrition.[[In-content Ad]]

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