John Paul II Healing Center to hold ‘Healing the Whole Person’ retreat at Eagan parish

Father Tony O’Neill, pastor of St. John Neumann in Eagan, enjoyed an out-of-state retreat on “Healing the Whole Person” so much in 2017 that he asked that it be offered at his parish. The retreat was “one of the most beautiful experiences,” observing people encountering God’s love in a powerful and healing way, he said.

Father O’Neill discussed the retreat, which was held at a parish in Lansing, Michigan, where his brother and sister-in-law work, during a recent episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show, and said the same retreat will be offered at St. John Neumann Nov. 3-5, again led by staff from the Florida-based John Paul II Healing Center. Early-bird registration begins Aug. 1.

The ministry is well known across the country and the retreat tends to sell out fast, Father O’Neill said.

He hopes 600 to 800 people will attend, with some travelling from out of town. They can expect a series of talks and time for personal reflection and journaling, prayer, adoration and the sacraments, he said. Teaching sessions will address an introduction to healing the whole person, facing brokenness, encountering God the Father’s love and living in freedom, Father O’Neill said.

Founded in 2004 to help people encounter God’s healing love, the center was founded by Bob Schuchts, who helps present retreats, along with his brother Bart Schuchts, who also presents at conferences and retreats through his Church on Fire ministry. Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Sister Miriam James Heidland, who has been associated with the Healing Center since its earliest days, also is a regular presenter at its retreats.

“We’re all broken in some sense,” Father O’Neill said, “and that brokenness stops us from fully receiving and experiencing God’s love.” Being able to recognize that brokenness, identify its root cause and pray for healing makes a tremendous difference in people’s lives, he said. The great fruit of the ministry is not praying for healing of things on the surface, he said.

“We all have sins that we fall into, or difficulties in relationships, but those are really symptoms of a deeper healing that needs to happen,” Father O’Neill said. Often, the need for healing stems from a past wound or failure, and part of the retreat’s purpose is identifying that inner brokenness and “pray into that,” he said. “The whole point is to experience life in Christ in a new and vibrant way,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Several St. John Neumann parishioners participated in the retreat by livestream last year, and each said it was a powerful experience. “The Holy Spirit entered more fully into my journey to heal those areas which weighed heavy on my heart,” said Lori Hannasch, its pastoral care director. The retreat brought her into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, she said.

Thomas Dzurik, St. John Neumann’s liturgical coordinator, said he encountered God’s love more deeply than ever.

“It was as if God opened up all these new avenues for me to love and be loved,” he said. “Regardless of whether or not you see yourself as especially broken or in need of healing, this retreat can help you to love and be loved by God in so many special ways.”

Brittany Majeski said the healing center team helped her encounter the Father’s love and to know her identity as his beloved daughter.

“I would not be the person I am today without their ministry,” she said.