The John Paul II Healing Center was invited by Archbishop Sample for several special events at the beginning of the new liturgical year. The leaders of the center presented a day of reflection for clergy, a day of ministry training, and a three-day conference titled Healing the Whole Person.
The weekend was hosted by Our Lady of Lavang Parish in Happy Valley, Oregon and several satellite locations. Over 1300 people attended the conference including travelers from 22 states and many of the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Portland.
Anthony Nguyen, a Portland seminarian studying at Bishop White Seminary, called it, “a very ‘wow’ and breathtaking experience. As a seminarian we get to go to a lot of great retreats in the course of our time in formation, but this one really stands out. Dr. Bob, Sister Miriam, and the team are a great gift. One of my highlights was praying with a couple and the husband told me that he felt called to tell me to bring all my fears and confusion to the Lord. It was exactly what I was experiencing at that moment.” He was also personally moved by Sister Miriam James Heidland’s presentation on the wounds that underly repeated sins.
Portland Seminarian John Seeber attended the presentations with the propaedeutic class from Mount Angel Seminary. He said, “The conference worked very well with our formation that we have already been going through. I certainly learned a lot about myself, and now have a clearer frame of mind to approach the parts of myself that need healing.”
The weekend concluded with the celebration of Mass for the First Sunday of Advent (pictured). Mr. Nguyen said that it was a blessing to serve the Mass with his fellow Portland seminarians.
Archbishop Sample’s homily reflected on the four ways that Jesus comes to us: in the incarnation, in the end of time, in our hearts, and in the Eucharist. He encouraged the participants to continue to make room for Christ’s presence in their lives, since receiving Jesus is the key to healing and unity with Him.
Merry Christmas!
Follow up Resources to the conference: https://pastoralministry.archdpdx.org/support-1
Information about the John Paul II Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/