“Compassion – Bedrock of Healing” was the main focus of the beautifully presented healing prayer service with veteran members of the Prayer Partners of St. Joan’s, Ron Joki and Mary Eve Thomas, leading us in meditation, prayer, scripture, reflection and a healing ritual. Leading us in song was Steve Kremer’s compelling voice and song completing the perfect menu for an hour of healing and prayer.

Before continuing my report of this exquisite endeavor, I would like to give you a little background about the dedicated and faithful St. Joan of Arc volunteers that create, plan and present these short and meaningful prayer services throughout the year.

We at St. Joan’s have this unique ministry that was unheard of in most Catholic churches when it was begun in 1991 under the tutelage and encouragement of the Rev. Bill Murtagh who was a strong advocate of lay ministry work. In St. Joan’s he discovered the rich and abundant talent needed to begin the development of an exciting new ministry in light of the lesser numbers of priests available for such services. And so – The Prayer Partners Ministry was born and has been actively involved in much of the prayer life of St. Joan’s ever since. This evolving group of volunteers is faithful to the many needs of the parishioners in response to various occasions, situations or events that up to then had not been identified or given the attention they deserved.

Wednesday’s healing prayer service is one example. Others, that occur during the year. might be the Blessing Service for Expectant Families, held twice a year; The Valentine Prayer Service with emphasis on blessings of people in relationships, marriage re-commitments or engagements; blessing and prayer for those suffering a miscarriage; a twice yearly service of reconciliation and in some cases, assisting the priest at sacramental services such as All Souls (remembering our deceased loved ones) and All Saints masses. Upon any current trauma or disaster such as the bridge collapse this past year, a prayer service might be offered.

Prayer services have been a part of the many peace trips that St. Joan’s has spearheaded throughout the present Iraqi war. I must not forget the wonderful prayer services all during Lent each Wednesday after the soup suppers nor the Advent Evensong involving the St. Joan Choir’s participation.

The healing service on Wednesday evening was layered deep with many facets. Being embraced by the warmth of the Church in its natural setting is always a welcoming gift, but when Mary Eve Thomas is on the job as one of the hosts of this event, you can see her professional artist’s eye at work. This evening’s center focus was one of gracefully draped satin material in warm healing colors of browns, gold and reds with candles encased in colored glass on and around the altar. In front of the altar, the two large buckets of fresh white and peach colored roses were next to a large metal bowl of water. If this eye appealing combination was meant to promote a calm atmosphere, it certainly accomplished that for me and the healing already began upon entering into this space.

Ron opened the service with an invitation to a time of healing and blessing. This was followed by a poignant Scripture reading from Matthew 11, giving us confidence by saying, “Come to me all you with heavy burdens and I shall give you rest.” Ezekiel 36: 26 - “I will give you a new heart and a new mind…I will take away your heart of stone and give you a new spirit.” These words carried the theme of this service as shown in its title, “Compassion - Bedrock of Healing."

The lyrics of the hymn “Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me” brought us easily to the meditation part of the service where Ron carried us into a centering mode to breathe, thus enabling us to feel our heartbeat where compassion begins and where the spread of that same compassion could extend comfort and free oneself and others from pain and sorrow.

I felt that this meditation was the essence of the method of healing in this service and all before and afterwards melded into a shared prayer that extended out of oneself and into the world beyond our vision.

A Litany of healing prayer was next with a sung response reminding us that all this joy, sorrow, promises and pain are parts of life and part of healing and love.

Mary Eve’s reflection reminded us, by relating a personal story of her broken wrist, of how she needed to care for herself because,

“True compassion arises from a healthy sense of practicing sensitivity towards ourselves and while we spend much time being compassionate to others, it is best not to neglect ourselves.”

She continued, “Mature love and healthy compassion are not dependent but interdependent, born out of a deep respect for ourselves as well as for others”

The Ritual of Healing, an important facet of this service, was a simple invitation for anyone who wished, could walk up to Mary Eve or Ron and tell them their name and what healing they were requesting. After being given a personal healing blessing prayer, they were invited to choose a lovely rose to carry back to their chair.

Not everyone wanted to share their healing request, but even if they chose not to step up, it was a lovely quiet time of individual thought and silent prayer for all. The soft guitar of Steve Kremer sent lovely muted melodies around the room now scented with fresh roses in everyone’s hand.

Ron announced there would be refreshments consisting of healing chocolate candy kisses and wine or cider to anyone who wanted to stay and chat while strains of Steve’s final song, “Peace is flowing Like a River” lingered in the air.

This 40-minute healing service then ended with a closing prayer asking God to:

JoAnn Potts is a retired teacher, music/English/choir director and 35 year member of St. Joan's. She enjoys volunteering to assist Anna Vagle with music tasks one day each week; singing in the choir; writing her memoirs, poetry and SJA web articles; keeping up with family and friends. JoAnn and Jim, husband and wife team of 54 years, are proud of their family of five children and nine grandchildren. Wanna see pictures?  JoAnn can be reached at joannpotts@gmail.com.