Healing prayer service set for Sept. 15 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
Are you struggling with issues affecting your mind, body or spirit?
If you're seeking hope and healing, then mark your calendar to attend "Comfort My People," a prayer service for healing, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.
Available only by attending in person, current COVID-19 procedures will be followed throughout the service. Wearing face masks will be required of everyone, regardless of vaccination status, and a section of the church will be available for those practicing social distancing. Hand sanitizer also will be available for all to use.
An up-to-date list of COVID-19 procedures that will be followed is available at the Joliet Diocesan website (www.dioceseofjoliet.org) or the St. Thomas website (www.stapostle.org). Specific questions may be directed to the church at (630) 355-8980.
The healing service finds its title, "Comfort My People," in the Gospel invitation, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Through these simple, welcoming words, the service will seek to remind all people of the Lord's promise and the peace it can bring when surrounded by a loving community.
This service will honor Mary under her title of Our Lady of Sorrows on Sept. 15, the feast day that commemorates the seven sorrows in Mary's life Simon foretold when, according to Jewish practice, the baby Jesus was presented in the temple.
"Our Lady lived her life in perfect obedience to God's plan of salvation, even when she endured moments of sorrow and anxiety during her life on earth," explained Susan Kearney, coordinator of the behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Calling attention to those sorrows Simone foretold, especially Mary's steadfast presence at the crucifixion of Jesus, Kearney pointed out, "She is the perfect image of suffering faithfully and well. Based on that, we can be sure that she also accompanies all of us whenever we endure painful trials and tribulations."
The prayer service is being sponsored by the behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The ministry strives to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to minister to the emotionally/mentally ill and their families and friends with confidentiality and respect. Support is offered through advocacy, prayer and education.
For information about the "Comfort My People" prayer service or the behavioral health ministry, contact Kearney at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108, or at sdkearney@comcast.net.
St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980.