Last night was the healing mass at All Saints in Walton. And all I can say what a powerful night (for me at least) it was.It was amazing to see how much family was there and it made me realize once again how blessed we truly are to be a part of this circle of friends and family. It is just amazing!
It was a regular mass and afterwards Father was giving healing prayers to each individual that went up there. I have never been to one of these masses and I didn't know what to expect. I saw people crying and ladies fainting and I was thinking oh goodness, really?
So I sat in the pew debating the whole time whether to go up there or not and if I really needed it at all, I wasn't sick, I didn't have any disease, but we all have needs don't we? As I continued to watch and debate, Aunt Carol came up to me and hugged and hugged me and she whispered in my ear to go to Father and have him say a prayer for you - she said it like three times. So I went.
Needless to say as I was walking up I continued to just be like, what am I doing. But I decided to just have an open heart and mind and just take it all in. I concentrated on Jesus and God and what he did for us to save us from sin. I thought about dad and Uncle Wally and just the struggles are families are going through right now, as I stood there waiting for my prayer and annointment, they started playing Amazing Grace - of course there began the waterfall - there is just something about that song and of course standing next to Lisa Collins didn't help either because she was as bad as I was.
But my heart was so heavy and it has been for so long and as Father approached me he could tell I was already crying and upset and he had one of the "catchers" (one of the people that were there to catch people) come up to me. He said a prayer and annointed me and in that moment as I looked into his eyes and as I listened to him, all I could feel was peace and this overwhelming love coming from God. It was like he was putting his arms around me and saying, It is going to be okay, you are going to be okay! The lady "catcher" that was there hugged me and kept telling me to just breath and take it all in and just to feel his love surround me and that God sees everything and he knows everything and that he will take care of you.
Of course, Lisa had lost it too and as we were walking back to the pew I stopped and hugged mom and dad and I just didn't want to let dad go, I was sobbing and I haven't cried liked that in a long time, and dad just said he loved me and that everything was going to be okay. The one funny thing that did happen was Father called Lisa my mom :)..... She didn't like it too much!
It is so hard to describe the feeling unless you were there, unless you felt it too. But it was one of the most powerful, and amazing moments I have ever had in my life and I am so grateful that I was there! And I think Aunt Carol for giving me the encouragement to go up there.
Much love to you all,
Michele- I too went up to Father and could not believe how calmly and deeply he looked into my eyes. He asked if I was sick, and I said, "No, just in my heart." He replied, "That is the worst, isn't it?" Then he said he saw so much sadness in me that I needed to cry. He told me,"You need to get those sad tears out." The "catcher" was there for me too. She was very gentle and kind-- and she had a tissue! It was such a calming, peaceful experience. I am so glad I went to the Mass to offer my prayers with everyone else there. Sincerely, Aunt Diana xoxox
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful article..of course it makes me sad that I couldn't be there. Michele I want to say thanks again for keeping us all informed. I look forward every day to reading and every time I do I cry...but it makes me feel better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to experience, and Amazing Grace is always the song that brings me too my knees. It was my mother's favorite.
ReplyDeletethoughts and prayers.
Love Sue
I was there and as he looked into my eyes and said 'peace' it was like he touched my soul.
ReplyDeleteBy the way if you missed him, he is scheduled to be at St. Joseph, Cold Spring next week I think.
Uncle Dave
Michele, I too had never been to a healing mass and didn't know what to expect. I myself debated whether or not to go up for father to say a prayer for me since I'm not sick either, but as I listened to father and he explained that it isn't just for the physically sick but also for anyone that had needs. Father looked into my eyes and told me that he could tell that I needed to let my feelings go, so I did. When I saw you sitting there I knew that you needed to be touched by father and to let all those feelings go. I'm glad that with my encourgement, father helped you release all that pent up emotion. I glad that Lisa was up there with you. It was a wondful experience and I'm so glad that I was able to be there!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Love,
Aunt Carol
Fr. McAlear will be at St. Joseph Church in Cold Spring at 7pm this Friday. I was touched by Father also and by all of your stories.Thank you. I believe that God loves all of us, this family very much.
ReplyDeleteLove Aunt Rita
Ditto, Michele!!! Wow! I couldn't put into words the feelings I had that night! I thank Aunt Cookie for the encouragement to go up there!! I turned to let her and Uncle Bill pass by me, but she told me to go up for my dad! So thank you, Aunt Cookie!! And thanks also to Marie Tobler for setting that up for all of us!!!
ReplyDeleteTurtle