Healing was a major part of Christ's ministry on earth. Everywhere the Lord went, people were healed, in mind, body and soul. The most important healing that He wants for us is the healing of our soul. In this page I will look at some of the areas that people struggle with and where they can receive hope, healing and renewal for their lives.
1. Pornography
Pornography is now everywhere even in our small towns, we have pornographic magazines readily available and within reach in our shops and on our computers. Pornography destroys human dignity and degrades the human body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are called as Christians to stand up against this evil. Adult pornography causes so much sin - fornication, adultery, marriage break up, rape, and can lead to child porn and child abuse. But there is hope out there for those who are caught up in this vice with the following groups,
a. The Porn Effect has been established to expose the reality of porn for what it is; a weak and whimpering counterfeit of love which is emasculating men, degrading women and destroying marriages. They are an online community which offers support and encouragement to those affected by sexual sin. They speak internationally to men and women about the beauty of sex, the problem of porn and the healing which is possible. They do not apologise for their Catholic identity and understand that as men and women regardless of creed and culture, we are all in this together...Until porn disappears, neither will they..Above paragraph from their website.....http://www.whodoesithurt.com/
b. The Serenellians are an informal group of Catholics, both lay people and religious, who have chosen to dedicate and devote some personal level of effort through prayer, work or exhortation to help those who are caught up in this terrible vice of addiction to pornography. Their website address is as follows http://www.pornnomore.com/
St. Bernard of Clairvaux - "Absolutely every person, no matter how enmeshed in vice, ensnared by the allurements of pleasure, a captive in exile… fixed in mire… distracted by business, afflicted with sorrow… and counted with those who go down into hell—every soul, I say, standing thus under condemnation and without hope, has the power to turn and find it can not only breath the fresh air of the hope of pardon and mercy, but also dare to aspire to the nuptials of the Word."
—Fire Within, Fr. Thomas Dubay
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2. Understanding Same Sex Attraction
For those who struggle with same sex attraction there are some great apostolates both in the Catholic and Christian Churches.
a. Courage Courage ministers to those with same-sex attractions who desire to live chaste lives according to the Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The apostolate is endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The late Pope John Paul II said of this ministry, "COURAGE is doing the work of God!" Courage's sister organization, EnCourage, is for family members and spouses who wish to support their loved one in chastity.
was started by Mario Bergner in the United States. It is not a Catholic organisation but one which is open to all faiths, where healing is needed.
The Rev. Mario Bergner is husband to Nancy and father to their five children. He is the founder of Redeemed Lives, in the Boston metropolitan area and the Associate Rector of Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham. He is an Anglican Priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Quincy IL, USA. Mario himself was involved in the homosexual lifestyle and became ill with aids but experienced the healing of Christ from his hospital bed.
From his own testimony he explains...
At twenty-three I was hospitalized with eleven symptoms of AIDS. From my bed, I questioned the Lord about homosexuality and Christianity. Jesus appeared saying, ”I want to heal your whole person, not just your sexuality. Choose.” Not understanding what “choose” meant I just chose Him. I recovered and years later tested HIV negative.
For more information on Redeemed Lives check out the following website.. http://www.redeemedlives.org/
c. Exodus International
Exodus is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization promoting the message of Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ. Since 1976, Exodus has grown to include over 230 local ministries in the USA and Canada. They are also linked with other Exodus world regions outside of North America through the Exodus Global Alliance.
Within both the Christian and secular communities, Exodus has challenged those who respond to homosexuals with ignorance and fear, and those who uphold homosexuality as a valid orientation. These extremes fail to convey the fullness of redemption found in Jesus Christ, a gift which is available to all who commit their life and their sexuality to Him.
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3. Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Drug and Alcohol addiction devastates the lives of so many worldwide. There is hope and healing out there and here are just some of the apostolates who offer new life to those affected.
a. The Comunita Cenacolo was founded in Italy by Sr. Elvira who began to help those who were addicted to drugs. Slowly the community began and now they have community houses all over the world. .
The Community welcomes anyone who desires to find joy again and the meaning of their own lives through a Christian journey in life, which is simple but true. The first condition for entering Community is feeling the need for God and for others, and to see oneself as a poor sinner. The greater part of the young people who have gone to the houses of community in these years asking for help come from situations of distress and profound sadness, often from the world of drug addiction; others ask to spend a period of time dedicating themselves totally to others, seeing in their style of life a path that can help them understand the will of God… in short, the reasons for coming can be different, but the clear proposal of rebirth is unique: encountering the risen Jesus through a life of sharing, prayer, work, sacrifice and true friendship.
b. The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart was founded by Fr. James Cullen S.J. in the Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street, Dublin, on 28 December 1898. Their Mission is to address the problems in society caused by excess alcohol consumption and drug usage. They do this through: Faith and prayer, Self denial, Example, Activities based on presenting alternatives to individuals, particularly the young, Advocacy. C. Cuan Mhuire offers a comprehensive, structured, abstinence based, residential programme to persons suffering from alcohol, other chemical dependencies and gambling.
Cuan Mhuire was founded by Sr. Consilio in 1966. It is a registered charity which is the main provider of treatment for alcohol and drug addiction for the entire island of Ireland. Approximately 2,500 people are treated for addiction in their centers in Ireland every year.
Cuan Mhuire is inspired by the belief that each person is of eternal value and that there is no such thing as a 'hopeless case'. Its treatment is not only geared towards the individual's addiction, but also towards the recovery of the whole person and the restoration of his/her dignity, self-respect and sense of responsibility has its own unique programme, developed and perfected by Sr. Consilio and her staff over the last forty years.
Contact http://www.cuanmhuire.ie/
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4. Abortion
Abortion kills a human being at its most vulnerable stage. It is an evil that has destroyed and is continuing to destroy countless human lives across the globe. Here are some of the organisations that help those affected by abortion.
For over 25 years, women and men have been coming to Project Rachel, the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church, for help in healing their emotional and spiritual wounds. The priests and counselors in the Project Rachel network understand the pain and loss that follow abortion. They have led thousands of grieving women and men from despair to hope and peace.Is healing possible?answer to all these questions is, of course, YES!
Contact: http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/
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Seeking Psychological Help ?
Catholic Therapists (USA) Their Mission is to bring the healing love of Jesus Christ to those seeking psychological help and support. They provide psychological information and a nationwide list of therapists that are faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
http://www.catholictherapists.com/More to follow...............................
