Lauren Marquess, left, and Mattie Karr, center, pray over a woman during a healing session at the women’s conference. The break-out session was led by Andrew Comiskey, director of Desert Stream/Living Waters Ministry, and Eric Wombwell, director of the Kansas City Encounter School of Ministry campus. The women prayed together and learned how to minister Christ’s healing to one another. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
by Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven
On Sept. 5-7, Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa hosted the Catholic Women’s Conference of Healing and Forgiveness: Women of Hope.
Dr. Mary Healy shares a smile with baby Louis as she prays over mom JoEllen Loughman, who suffers from migraines. Healy led a healing session on Sept. 7 at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa during the Catholic Women’s Conference of Healing and Forgiveness: Women of Hope. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
The purpose of the conference was to help women understand that the grace of Christ’s love can heal broken relationships with God, others and even parts of themselves.
Dr. Mary Healy leads a healing session following the Saturday evening Mass on Sept. 7 at Holy Trinity. All were invited to attend. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
The three-day event included inspirational guest speakers, candlelight exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, as well as life-changing healing prayers each day of the conference.
Msgr. Stuart Swetland places the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance before leading the women in eucharistic adoration. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
The keynote speaker was Dr. Mary Healy, a professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, an international speaker and a bestselling author.
Jill Ragar Esfeld received a degree in Writing from Missouri State University and started her profession as a magazine feature writer, but quickly transitioned to technical/instructional writing where she had a successful career spanning more than 20 years. She returned to feature writing when she began freelancing for The Leaven in 2004. Her articles have won several awards from the Catholic Press Association. Jill grew up in Christ the King parish in Kansas City, Missouri; and has been a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, Kansas, for 35 years.
