Blessed Sacrament offers mission and healing Mass

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
February 17, 2005

Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sioux City will hold a mission and healing Mass during Lent for parishioners and people of the Siouxland area. Father John Pearson from Wabasoo, Minn. will give the mission and healing Mass.

"The Blessed Sacrament Liturgy and Spiritual Life Committee of the Pastoral Council expressed an interest in having some type of mission," said Father Merlin Schrad, pastor at Blessed Sacrament. "Sister Mary Ann knew Father John and said that he had done a mission in the city about 10 years ago. Our main thought was to have a mission during Lent for the sake of giving our parishioners and the Sioux City community a chance to do something different for Lent."

The mission begins at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 with a mission talk focused on the topic "Why be a Catholic?" and closes with a healing Mass on March 3. Anyone is invited to attend.

"If you are tired, needy and spiritually worn out, ask the Holy Spirit if you're to go to the 'Mission and Healing Mass' at Blessed Sacrament," stated Sister Mary Ann Nacke, SFCC. "Then begin praying the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, daily. You will receive an answer and be amazed at what happens."

The mission Mass homily topics include "The Bible and the church" on Feb. 28, "The Holy Eucharist" on March 1, "The Ten Commandments" on March 2 and "What it means to be a parish community" along with the healing Mass on March 3.

"Even though everybody has a busy schedule, people will probably make a little special effort during Lent because we are all trying to evaluate our life," said Father Schrad. "We are all attempting to turn away from sin and be more faithful to the Gospel. This is an opportunity to do that."

Father Pearson has served in the Diocese of New Ulm for 38 years as a parish priest, charismatic speaker and evangelist. He is presently the pastor of St. Ann's in Wabasso, St. Mary's in Seaforth, St. Mathias in Wanda and sacramental minister of Our Lady of Victory in Lucan.

He has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since June 24, 1970 and has been giving parish missions since 1990. Father Pearson has spoken, taught and ministered in the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Assembly of God, Full Gospel, Women's Aglow, Baptist Church and given retreats throughout the United States and Canada.

"Father John's main theme is healing and one of the things we do in Lent is try to heal our brokenness and our relationship with God to prepare for the Easter season," said Father Schrad. "If we are able to bring one person closer to God or to feel healed, then it is a success. We don't know how many people will be free or open to it."

According to Father Schrad, people do not need to attend every session. They can go to as many as they would like. "If they are able to go to one and can feel touched and closer to God, it will be a good deal," he said.