By Ann Lombardo
LINCOLN (SNR) – The search for healing and wholeness is something all experience. This fall, opportunities are available to do just that, thanks to the Lincoln Equipping team, whose mission is to “empower Catholics to pray for one another and discover the healing power of Christ in their lives.”
St. Peter Church, 4500 Duxhall Dr. in Lincoln, will host two events to facilitate such prayer and healing, one for men and one for women.
“Undone: Freedom for the Feminine Heart” Sept. 24-26 will feature Carrie Schuchts Daunt and Nicole Rodriguez as speakers, with Colleen Nixon serving as worship leader. The conference is an invitation to break free from the lies and wounds that keep women shackled. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s radical “yes” transformed the knots of Eve. Talks, teachings and prayer extend the invitation to be undone in God’s presence, leading to true freedom and the beauty of one’s true identity.
“Men on Fire” Oct. 17 will challenge men to encounter the Holy Spirit in their personal Pentecost and be ‘set on fire.’ With the aid of Bart Schuchts and Peter Herbeck, and worship leader Mark McKellar, men are enabled to be intentional disciples, and to live passionately the plan and purpose for which they were created.
Founded in one’s true identity in Christ, the goal is to exemplify the famous words of St. Irenaeus, “the glory of God is man fully alive.” The mission is to “set the world ablaze!”
The conferences are organized by the Lincoln Equipping Team. Headed by Father Craig Doty, the members have been working in conjunction with the John Paul II Institute on Healing since 2017. In addition to facilitating events, the team also holds monthly intercessory prayer. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they pray for physical, emotional and spiritual healing at the request of the participant.
“The goal is to be who we truly are and were created to be, beloved sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father,” said Father Doty. “If we can be who Christ calls us to be, who we truly are, and be faithful to that, then we can walk forward with confidence, even in the midst of a pandemic.”
Shane Kennett of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln attended the “Healing the Whole Person Conference” sponsored by the Equipping Team in July 2019.
“The content of the talks, along with the uplifting music, prayer time, confession and Mass were not only powerful experiences, but moments of profound healing and grace,” she said. “It taught me that in order to truly heal, one must be willing to be vulnerable and reflect on life experiences, especially the painful ones.
“Inviting Jesus into this space is holy ground,” she continued. “It is here, that the greatest healing balm in the world, the love of God, transforms lives and restores weary souls.” Kennett said she has become convinced that at her inner core, she is authentically God’s beloved daughter.
Registration information can be found at www.jpiihealingcenter.org.
Organizers hope many will be able to attend these conferences in person, but an online option for participation is being offered as well at the site. Links for local lodging and information on available scholarships are listed as well.
St. Peter Parish will ask participants to practice social distancing and masking for the conferences.
