March 12, 2022 - Pastor Message
04/26/2024YEAR OF HEALING
“Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5).
In last week’s bulletin, I reflected on the Sacraments of Healing Penance and Reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick. These sacraments remind us of the healing mission of the Church, begun in Christ’s own ministry and continued through his commission to the Apostles. Jesus made care for the sick, the alienated, the broken and suffering a priority in his ministry, second only to preaching. He did this, not only because they had the greatest need, but because his healing of those who were most in need provided the clearest sign possible of God’s saving power; if Jesus could heal these worst of the worst lepers and paralytics, derelicts and demoniacs, tax collectors and sinners, even raising the dead imagine what he can do for all of us if we put our faith in him. That was the gospel message Jesus commissioned the Apostles to share with our broken and suffering world, and he empowered them with his Spirit to proclaim it, not only in word, but in healing action.
The Church continues the Apostolic mission, empowered by the same Spirit, by preaching and working for healing today. We do this in a variety of ways, both formally and informally. Formally, we do things such as celebrate the Sacraments of Healing; support Catholic healthcare and wellness initiatives, especially among the poor; and provide Catholic counseling services. Informally, parishes and other Catholic organizations undertake their own initiatives. Toward this goal, our parish has designated 2022 as a Year of Healing.
The COVID19 pandemic may be at last receding, but the harm it has done and continues to do has left serious wounds physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. If we are to move -forward from here to a better, post-COVID world, we need to take the time to undergo a healing process that is just as serious. As people of faith, we know that the heart of that healing process has to be the healing ministry of Christ in and through his Church. To facilitate that process, we are planning a number of activities in the coming months:
- Throughout Lent, the Prayer Chain binder will be at the foot of the cross in the sanctuary of the church, where we invite people to insert the names of those in need of healing. We will pray in a special way for all those named on the Prayer Chain at all Masses throughout Lent.
- We will offer Stations of the Cross each Thursday during Lent at 6:00 PM for the special intention of healing.
- We will offer added times for the healing sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation at 9:00 AM on Sundays, March 13, 20, and 27, and on Wednesday, March 30, 5:00 7:00 PM.
- The church is open every day from 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM for personal prayer, with prayer resources available at the church entrance.
- We are planning a monthly speaker series, inviting guest speakers to address the topics of spiritual, physical, psychological, and communal healing.
- The Women’s Book Study will discuss the book “Restore” that “helps you to turn away from what wounds you and towards God who heals you and makes you heal.” Please contact Ginny Stanton (814) 746-5008 to join.
- Deacon Tim is organizing a book study on communal healing through small Christian communities.
We are planning a possible parish mission or video discussion series on the theme of healing.
These are just some of the ideas we are exploring to facilitate healing in our parish this year. Please stay tuned to the bulletin and other means of parish communication for more information about dates and times and plan to attend. COVID has brought home to all of us the need for healing. Let us work together, this year and beyond, to let a flood of healing grace flow through us into our community and our world, continuing the mission of the Church by drawing all people to believe in the healing power of God in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Fr. Marc Stockton-
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