Florida Catholic | Healing mission planned for anniversary preparation

Healing mission planned for anniversary preparation

BENNET BOLTON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 09.09.08

BOCA RATON | Catholics from every parish throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach are invited to take part in a two-day healing mission at St. Joan of Arc Parish here Oct. 3-4 with an additional evening of prayer on Monday, Oct. 6.

“The healing mission is a vigil of calling people to pray for the forthcoming anniversary,” said Father John Gallagher, parochial vicar at St. Joan of Arc and diocesan liaison for Charismatic Renewal. “This invitation is for everyone. All are invited to come.”

The event was organized by the diocesan Office of Renewal in conjunction with St. Joan of Arc Parish. Father Gallagher noted that the healing event comes three weeks before the start of a yearlong celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Palm Beach. The celebration will run from Oct. 24 to the actual anniversary on Oct. 24, 2009.

The theme of the healing mission is “The Power of God Healing the Family Tree,” based on John 6:51: “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”

The theme is in keeping with the diocese’s idea to keep the Eucharist at the heart of all events and activities associated with the 12-month diocesewide anniversary celebration themed “A Eucharistic People.”

“This (mission) replaces the (annual) charismatic conference (held) in January,” Father Gallagher explained, about the event, which will be presented in a charismatic manner. The Diocese of Palm Beach Office of Renewal traditionally holds a three-day charismatic gathering at Cardinal Newman High School.

Charismatic activity comes from the Greek word kharisma (charisma), meaning a special gift or divine favor, and charismatic renewal Catholics are devoted to the Holy Spirit and to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Catholic charismatic gatherings are designed for participants to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the power of prayer.

Marie Barbaglio, a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc, attended a charismatic event there last year that drew almost 1,000 participants.

“I was in awe of the testimonies of the spirit of the people,” she said. “People who had been so-so about going were fed and fueled by the Holy Spirit. I think it was a healing for many, and an inspiration.”

Nationally prominent figures in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement will guide the two days of lectures, prayers, singing, music and fellowship.

Chief among them are Father John Hampsch, a California television host and author who is noted for celebrating Masses to heal individual family trees; and Mark Forrest, an internationally acclaimed Irish singer.

Father Hampsch, a Claretian priest, who recently returned from a renewal symposium in Rome, has two weekly television programs in Los Angeles: “Send Forth Your Spirit” and “Glad You Asked.” Author of 17 books and a worldwide traveler, he has been a professor, a rector and a chaplain at a prison, a hospital and a college. He has worked in Charismatic Renewal 36 years.

Mark Forrest, born in Dublin, will lead the singing. He has sung before the Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. He was a leader in the healing services that took place in Blacksburg, Va., after a mentally ill student at Virginia Tech shot and killed 32 students before taking his own life in April 2007.

Forrest and his wife, Muriel, created the Faith and Family Foundation in 1999 to aid families whose children have special needs. Their third son was born with heart defects and lived only five days. Their second son is blind and has other disabilities.

Another St. Joan of Arc parishioner is looking forward to the mission.

“It’s great that this healing mission will expand to the whole diocese,” said Vinny Cacace, a retired beverage sales executive. “The gift we already have here with Father Gallagher is now going far and wide. Everyone can benefit. Everyone will go away with a new outlook, being newly steeped in the Holy Spirit.”

Barbaglio is excited about going to the upcoming event.

“I am open and willing to go. The Holy Spirit is going to make it happen and guide the speakers and the program,” she said. “I know it will be wonderful. It will be great no matter who talks or sings. The main feature is the Holy Spirit.”

For registration or a complete schedule, call Father Gallagher at 561-392-0007 ext. 190 or visit www.stjoan.org. Registration is $55 for Friday and Saturday, and clergy are free. Financial assistance is available.

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