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October 18, 2019
Catholic Advance
www.CatholicAdvance.com
By Cindy Weber
The Gospels relate beautiful stories of Jesus as The Great Phy- sician. He longs to take people from where they are and bring them to where they need to be. He encounters an affliction of body, mind or spirit and, moved with compassion, he heals. This divine example is the in- spiration behind a special evening retreat being offered at the Church of the Resurrection in partnership with Ascension Via Christi begin- ning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. The He Heals retreat is a rec- ognition that true healing involves more than curing physical ail- ments - there is a supernatural dimension as well. He Heals is de- signed to promote and aid healing of body, spirit and soul. It is intended for those suffer- ing in any way: those with a physi- cal ailment or emotional need; but also caregivers, support persons, clinicians, and anyone interested in learning about how Jesus can heal. He Heals provides attendees an opportunity to celebrate in Jesus's healing ministry - our call to be healed and to heal one another - by extending Christ's healing through prayer and sacraments. The evening will include testi- monies, scripture, music, Eucha- ristic Adoration and Benediction, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (with several visiting priests), and an opportunity to receive the Anointing of the Sick. There will also be a chance to touch the veil of the Blessed Sacra- ment as well as a time for individ- ual and group prayer. A reception will follow to promote fellowship. The Church of the Resurrection is located at 4910 N. Woodlawn in Wichita. For more information, call the church office at 316-744- 2776. Weber is a member of Resur- rection parish.
Church of the Resurrection hosting He Heals retreat on Sunday, Nov. 17
Domestic violence is a compli- cated issue. The reasons a person chooses to stay in or leave an unhealthy relationship are as varied as the people who find themselves be- ing abused by someone they care about. Keri McGregor, program di- rector at Harbor House, a min- istry of Catholic Charities, said that is why the case managers and counselors at Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter work one-on-one with survivors. They help each person develop a safety plan and strategy just for them. It's important that we are sup- portive and caring; there is no room for us to be judgmental in any way," McGregor said. "Each person and case is unique, making each plan unique. In many cases, it takes the survivor seven attempts at leaving the abuser before the rela- tionship is truly over." Harbor House has provided advocacy services for domes- tic violence for 26 years. Best known for providing emergency shelter, McGregor explained that Harbor House is much more than that. Through outreach services, Keri McGregor is program director at Harbor House, a ministry of Catholic Charities. A sign welcoming clients is behind her.(Ad- vance photo)
Harbor House: more than a safe place for those dealing with domestic violence
including safety planning, protec- tion order assistance, and counsel- ing, Harbor House helps more than 8,500 people a year. Having an emergency shelter in our community for those in im- minent danger is a blessing as it allows a safe place for women and children to stay so they can be- gin to heal, get their feet under them, and access the resources that they need to move their life forward," McGregor said. An even bigger blessing is that Harbor House can help thou- sands of other survivors who do not need a safe house, yet seek counseling, safety planning, and support through our out- reach services." Domestic vi- olence happens every day in our community, she said, adding that it occurs at the same rate in all socio-economic groups, races, and faiths. It is a pattern of behavior in which one relationship partner tries to control the other through violence, intimi- dation or threats. The abuse can be physical, emotional, or mental. McGregor said that seeing first hand the physical, emotional and mental damage that one human is capable of inflicting on another is difficult, but is balanced by wit- nessing the courage and resolve shown by survivors. Equally chal- lenging for her and her staff of case managers, counselors, and support staff is to see what domes- tic violence does to the children who witness it. Too many children in our c o m mu n it i e s witness domes- tic violence," McGregor said, adding that this can do signifi- cant emotional and mental harm to their young lives. "Our coun- selors help these children work through their experiences to give them a foundation for a happy, healthy life. This will help break the cycle of violence that is often passed down from generation to genera- tion," she said.
Need protection?
If you or someone you care about is in an unhealthy rela- tionship, there is help avail- able 24/7. Call Harbor House at (316) 263-6000. Kendra Scott Gives Back Kendra Scott, 1423 N. Webb, Suite 117, and Harbor House are co-hosting a Give Back Party from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22. Scott will donate 20 per- cent of all proceeds sold during the event to Harbor House. They will also feature a special necklace in honor of Harbor House. The Kansas Catholic Con- ference has posted a petition at KansasCatholic.org to advocate for an amendment to the Kansas constitution prohibiting abortion. The effort by the bishops of the four Kansas dioceses is the result of a ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court that eliminated legal prohi- bitions against abortion. Abp. Joseph Naumann of Kansas City stated: "The im- mediate priority for all Kansans concerned with protecting the lives of (preborn) children, as well as pregnant women from an unscrupulous abortion industry, is to pass a state constitutional amendment." All four bishops stated that
Kansas Catholic Conference initiates petition for Kansas pro-life amendment
they and the faithful of the state will not allow this attack on hu- man life to stand." The petition explains the result of the Supreme Court's action and what an amendment would do. In addition to signing the peti- tion, the KCC asks the faithful to pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe and to contact their state repre- sentative and senator. To sign the petition, visit Kansas Catholic.org.
Parish working with Ascension Via Christi
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