WCF  Winter 2011 Newsletter
by Sue Kelly-Cochrane

Inspirations from: the November Healing Mass with Father Michael Barry
The Christmas Luncheon with Father Greg Menegay
Our Annual Retreat at Oakbridge with Featured Speaker Father Bill Marquis
February Visit with Father Michael Barry

One of Angie’s repeated praises of gratitude to Our Lord is for the holy priests that spiritually feed us at our meetings, luncheons and our annual retreat. Father Mike, as our spiritual director, has asked us probing questions in his talks which are a call to examine our lives and take definitive steps to change. He asked us in November “Are we looking for healing from Jesus first or are we looking for Jesus?” Father tied in King Hezekiah to our current study of Isaiah by explaining that only 4 kings out of 40 were faithful, of which Hezekiah was one. Although he was considered a good king, Hezekiah repented and was given 15 more years of life. Jesus has pity on people and gives direction with healing such as “Go and sin no more.” Father Mike offered that we need to go back to our families and witness to the healing God has done in our lives. We need to get out of our comfort zones, have a true encounter with Jesus and get out of the bondages of this world in things such as TV watching, being right, angry, unforgiving - especially of ourselves - and of being defensive.

Father Mike encouraged us to offer to Jesus what He offers to the Father: to be consecrated to Him, to make sacred with God who we are and what is in our hearts and to love like Jesus does. If we were to appear before Jesus now, are there untruths in us? As Hezekiah was repentant, we should make daily self-observations and repent. What foothold does the evil one have in our lives? Jesus will help us in our weakness to resist the evil one. We can kneel before Him and He will anoint, bless and enable us to give thanks in all circumstances. In that way, we will be open to the consecration of the truth in our lives; we will be able to say “Through the power of Jesus, I have overcome the evil one.”

Our Christmas luncheon is such a joy as we praise God with seasonal carols, win door prizes, dress festively and fellowship with each other over a tasty meal and music from Skelpin.