WHOLENESS AND THE GLORIOUS FREEDOM OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD
“When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to [Jesus] all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons…” -Mark 1:32-34 In this Sunday’s and last Sunday’s Gospels we hear that one of Christ’s priorities was to liberate the captive and to bring healing and wholeness to those burdened by sickness and spiritual oppression. In my preaching this past weekend I emphasized how the Church’s ministry of healing and deliverance continues Jesus’ own work. I referenced various materials which are already bringing freedom, insight, and growth to many within our parish:
+ Book -- Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance by Neal Lozano and related website: https://heartofthefather.com/
+ Book -- Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life by Dr. Bob Schuchts and related website: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/
+ Virtual Retreat -- Healing and Hope: https://www.archspm.org/healing-andhope-series/
I ask your prayers for those who are discerning greater involvement with prayer ministry. I have been walking with some individuals and couples through some of this material and believe that this will become increasingly important. In due time we hope to offer more regular prayer ministry for healing and deliverance.
My brother priests and I also prioritize our pastoral care visits to the sick, suffering and homebound. If you or a loved one desires a visit from a priest for confession, Anointing and Holy Communion, please contact the parish office. Additionally, in May we will host a couple of Masses with the Anointing of the Sick.
-Fr. Howe
I now pass the word to Juanita Jensen, Chair of our Pastoral Council.
Jesus Healed Us So We Can Heal Others
We are consistently reminded how our service to others is needed in this world to heal and grow in Christ. Whether we choose to serve in prayer, donating money to a just cause, or visiting the lonely and isolated, we come together as a community of compassion and healing just as Jesus did. Moving forward in our life as Catholics and finding the opportunities to be involved in service to the Lord offers hope to others while allowing the Good News, in all its forms, to touch their hearts and minds.
The Lord offers this hope to us too. At moments when we are brokenhearted, the Lord rebuilds us and heals us. His divine compassion and grace is always there and always drawing us closer to Him at all cost. As Christians we can be reminded of how God serves us unconditionally. Finding a balance between putting others first in offering hope and moments of healing to them while also choosing God’s will and not our own, is the context for our spiritual growth.
As the Lenten season fast approaches, let us take the time to grow closer to Christ through our selfless service to others with healing compassion and ministry. Throughout the life of our parish we are blessed to have ministries available to us to actively take part in. In contemplative prayer we can come together to commemorate the Solemnity of St. Joseph with Adoration, Reflection & social at St. Hedwig Church on Tuesday evening, March 19th or in active service to others on Saturday, April 13th from 9:30-11:30 am at Feed My Starving Children. Stay tuned for more details. As Jesus heals us, let us bring healing to others.
Serving the up building of our community in Christ,
-Juanita Jensen, on behalf of the Holy Cross Pastoral Council