Issue link: http://archden.uberflip.com/i/1314685
Diaconal Ministries Resource Manual 37 St. Monica's Healing Ministry D uring a person's life, they can experience one or more serious traumas which can leave equally serious injuries to the heart. These injuries manifest in a series of well- known consequences which can cause terri- ble life disruptions. Coping mechanisms are adopted which can stabilize the disruption, but at some point, the coping mechanisms no longer work and the person is in hopeless de- spair. In addition, some of the coping mech- anisms have their own disruptive effects. The usual treatment for these includes psychology, medications or faith healing. St. Monica's draws elements f rom both psy- chology and faith, motivating the individual to work together with God to bring a resolu- tion to the injury in their heart. Psychology is used to help the individual to understand the effects of the trauma in their heart. Faith is first used to help them understand why God permits these traumas within the context of the purpose for their lives on earth. Over the course of the five meetings of the ministry, the minister trains the individual to recognize the signs of actual graces. God responds in power- ful and tangible ways such that the individual knows God is present with them and their life has undeniable meaning. The individual dis- covers graces that finally bring power to give their right for justice to God in the action of forgiveness. It's not a "letting go" forgiveness, but a forgiveness where the individual gives the injury of injustice to God, so that God can work on the conversion of the perpetrator. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the preeminent culmination of this ministry. i Deacon David Peverley deacon.peverley@archden.org Foreign Missionary Work Mission Apostolates to Africa "M ission" means different things to differ- ent people. Short-term mission experi- ences are interesting, but some Deacons take on a Mission Apostolate more akin to the early missionaries of the Church who left home and family to bring His good news to the world. For many years, deacons f rom Denver have had a presence in Af rican countries, f rom Ken- ya to the Congo and beyond. Deacons bring the Word to those in remote areas of the continent that need a Catholic wit- ness. These locations have people living in ar- eas with no roads, electricity, or running water. Eager to know the faith, there can be as many as 21 adults baptized in a day. With the parish priest, deacons provide the Eucharist up to 19 churches within parish boundaries. While some live in Af rica for months, other deacons bring teams of experts for a finite pe- riod to help build essential facilities needed to sustain adequate food, housing and water sup- plies. Some missions also provide education for adults and children. "His Work Foundation" (hisworkfoundation. org) is a ministry started by a Denver deacon to help raise money for housing retired priests in Af rica who would otherwise live in difficult conditions. i Deacon Hugh Downey His.work@yahoo.com Deacon Dennis Wallisch denwallisch@comcast.net