Healing Symposium - Fall 2014

To Heal and Be Healed

*Healing Symposium Mass—December 8th at 7:00PM

The second season and first year of Saint Anne's Healing Symposium recently concluded. Each of our six presenters was very well received and inspired us with their insight and personal journeys of healing and faith. Their perceptive comments resonated with those in attendance:

We hold on to things we do not understand. We hold on to situations that seem “unfixable”. We are not called to be “fixed”, we are called to be loved!
Our pride can be a source of suffering, but humility brings us towards healing.
Healing often starts with knowing and understanding yourself.
Where have I been hurt? Can I reflect upon it and let it go?
To get past the hurt of the present, you need to look into the future, to step into the eyes of God.
Choosing a path of mercy has a long lasting effect not only on you but on many others.
Forgiveness is a necessary step on the journey to healing
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8: 31-39). You can get in the way, but God is always there.

If there is a common theme in the presentations it may be that healing is not easy. We cannot do it alone. Whether our pain be physical, emotional or spiritual, whether we are seeking a greater sense of peace in our lives or wish to be an instrument of healing, God’s help is needed.

Since the planning stages of the Healing Symposium, we always had a desire to include a liturgical component. As we celebrate the very beginnings of Mary’s life on this Holyday of Obligation, we also seek her intercession to guide us in our own desire for healing. Recalling the opening words of the Memorare,

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided,

we invite you to join us on December 8th at the 7:00PM Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

All are Welcome!

Father James Martin, S.J.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Church on the evening of Monday, November 10th to listen to Father James Martin, S.J., the final presenter of this season’s Healing Symposium.

One parishioner summed up the evening beautifully, “For those of us who have read Father Martin’s work, we were blessed by a communal experience of the incarnate Jesus. There is almost a more personal intimacy to hear him in community. His presentation was joyful, expansive and authentic.”

Another parishioner voiced their appreciation of the six evenings of the symposium, noting that in 2014 she and her husband were able to enjoy six faith-filled talks without stressing over travelling or juggling their schedules.

Our thanks to Mary Jean McCarthy, Brian Crandall and Carolyn Mulcahy for their insightful questions. We are also grateful to Susan Donnelly, Jane Rizzo and Lilly Schwieger for providing hospitality after each of the six symposium talks.

To see pictures from the evening, please click here.

Kerry Weber

Kerry Weber, who is the managing editor of America, a national Catholic media ministry of the Jesuits, gave a talk at Saint Anne’s on October 20th as part of our Healing Symposium. Several hundred people gathered to hear the perspective shared by Kerry, who is the author of Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned and Keep Your Day Job.

Kerry spoke of her own experience, both as a person in need of healing and as an observer of the victims of the Rwandan genocide. She encouraged us to cross the hurdle of getting out the door and doing things meaningfully for others, as well as to understand the importance of forgiveness as a necessary step on the journey to healing. We are grateful to Kerry for sharing her personal faith and insight with us. Follow her on Twitter at @Kerry_Weber or email weber@americamagazine.org .

To view pictures from the evening, please click here.

Father Matt Malone, S.J.

Thank you, Father Malone...

A strong turnout of over 300 people welcomed Father Matt Malone as the first speaker in this season of Saint Anne’s Healing Symposium. Father Malone is the editor-in-chief of America, a Catholic media ministry of the Jesuits of the United States. Under his leadership, the staff of America print a weekly magazine and maintain an active website and online presence dedicated to informing people about matters important to our faith.

Father Malone shared a personal story of forgiveness and healing that occurred in his own family following the tragic death of his brother. His father somehow found it in his heart to be merciful to the young man who caused his son’s death. In the words of Father Malone, “This was the most powerful act of mercy I had ever seen. My dad was able to see the future, to step into the eyes of God.” Father Malone spoke of how his father was angry at the loss of his son, but did not allow himself to stay rooted in that anger. He instead chose a path of mercy that has had a lasting effect not only on him and the young man, but on many others who have been touched by this story.

In responding to the question of how we might learn to forgive ourselves at times when this is difficult, Father Malone encouraged us to recognize our need for God in order to experience true forgiveness. Another parishioner asked how we might help a person who is not aware of the gift of God’s grace present within them. Father Malone suggested that praying for the person to be open and aware of God’s presence and striving to model this in our own lives would help make the gift more clear.

We’re grateful to Father Malone for sharing his personal faith and pastoral insight with us.

To see pictures from the evening, please click here.

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