EWTN's Fr. Corapi to lead Carroll retreat
Globe staff report
Posted April 11, 2002

CARROLL - Inspiration and education about the Catholic faith are what organizers of a parish mission at Holy Spirit Church next month hope attendees will gain.

Father John Corapi, a regular on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), will lead the retreat slated for May 10-11. His message and the theme of the parish mission will center on the immortal combat - weapons that people receive from the Holy Spirit and gifts God gives to fight the evils of the world and individual temptations.

"We want to help people deepen their faith and their understanding of the church," said Joan Hansman, coordinator of the retreat with Judy Feld and Della Reif.

The priest from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in California will deliver six talks. The mission begins at 7 p.m. Friday with a presentation called Reality of the Spiritual Combat, a look at the evils in the world; and is followed by Healing and Deliverance. Mass will start off the day on Saturday at 8 a.m. Talks that day include Humility - Spiritual Nuclear Weapon, Role of the Sacramentals and Sacraments, Our Allies - Angels, Saints and Souls in Purgatory; and The Power of the Cross of Christ. The day will close with benediction.

In his talks, Father Corapi is expected to refer to his life before ordination to the priesthood. A late vocation, he had a diverse life with assorted struggles including drug addiction. Believed to have been guided through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he began to see the light when there was only darkness. He soon felt a strong and unmistakable call to become a priest.

He was ordained at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome by Pope John Paul II at the age of 44. The priest has said that prayer is the only thing that can break the stranglehold of evil. Father Corapi believes the rosary is very powerful.

"Many people are familiar with Father Corapi from EWTN. He is a very dynamic speaker on television and I'm sure to be able to listen to him in person will be even better," said Hansman.

Besides EWTN, Father Corapi has led many retreats and parish missions throughout the country. He has also delivered keynote addresses at several Marian Conferences and is known to be an authority on the teachings of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church.

To date about 200 people have registered to attend the Carroll retreat including those from various parts of the Diocese of Sioux City as well as from Omaha and Des Moines and South Dakota, Kansas and Illinois.

In a time when the nation is full of "brokenness" and false promises, Father Corapi said as people search for answers it is more important than ever for people to understand that God is the only real answer.

"I'm sure the Holy Spirit will be work in many people throughout the retreat," Hansman said. "This should aid people in their prayer lives and help them fight their own temptations."

Cost of the mission is $20. The registration deadline is May 1, however, those who plan to attend are asked to register as soon as possible. For more information call (712) 792-1559 or send your registrations and retreat fee to Holy Spirit Church, Joan Hansman, 421 E. Bluff Street, Carroll, IA 51401-3099.