Encountering Jesus:
A Parish Mission that Changed Us
Following is an account of a Parish Mission
conducted by Father Bill Gaffney and Gloria Anson

It was a different and powerful kind of Parish Mission. Over 400 parishioners attended the daily sessions given by Father Bill Gaffney, C.SS.R. and Mrs. Gloria Anson, regional director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Apostolate.

It has been years since so many of us came to a Mission. Perhaps never before have so many children and young families attended a mission.

We prepared by a whole day and night of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Father Jim Otto, assistant pastor, said he found many people praying throughout the night. It was a clue to what was going to happen.

The focus of the Mission was Jesus in the Eucharist. Everything centered on Him. Even the `resting in the spirit' after the regular sessions each night was in His Eucharistic presence and power. Because such praying seemed new, it took a while to adjust to and, frankly, some of us still do not know what to make of it.

But who can forget:

­ The sanctuary filled with very young children enthusiastic over God's love for them?

­ Gloria Anson witnessing how the Lord helped her and her family through very tough times.

­ Father Gaffney carrying the monstrance containing the Lord up and down the aisles.

­ The Sacrifice of the Mass each morning and evening, the focal point and highest prayer we can offer

­Father Sal Riccio, pastor, and Father Otto kneeling with their hands on a monstrance.

­Then the congregation coming up and placing our hands on theirs on the monstrance, telling Jesus present of our love.

­Many who accepted the invitation to stay after the sessions to be prayed over by Father Gaffney and Gloria. The sight of older parishioners asking for prayers and then `resting in the spirit' in deep peace.

"It isn't my cup of tea," one parish member said, referring to the sight of people on their backs near the altar. Another said he `rested in the spirit' "with the help of a tap on the forehead."

Another parishioner tried to explain the phenomenon. "The main thing is the deep peace, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray within you in a deeper way than ever before," he said. "Being on your back is not important. What counts is the Holy Spirit and His deep peace."

Thirty families have signed up to make the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for their families that was promoted at the Mission. This is a ceremony in which the father and mother, or single-parent head of the household or a single person, accept the Lordship of Jesus over them. Jesus is Lord of all who profess the faith. The Enthronement just makes this lordship visible to our families. It's like saying on behalf of the whole family, "Jesus is Lord."

Other parishioners had these comments on the Mission:

"I know the Lord through 12 years of school; Mass every Sunday (almost), daily Mass during Lent, teaching CCD, being in the prayer group and more. This week something very special happened I met Jesus! It truly changed my thinking. Now I see the need to work toward making Him the center of my life." Anonymous

"On Monday night, Father Jim Otto asked me to be a `catcher' during the praying over people. The Lord truly took a `doubting Thomas' and showed him the power of the Lord. As Father Bill and Gloria laid hands on the people, I witnessed the Lord bring peace to all who would take the leap of faith and ask to be prayed over. My grandson (8 years of age), my oldest daughter, my wife, and my youngest daughter all experienced the love and peace of the Lord. If you ever doubt the power, watch an 8-year old on the ground smiling as the Lord speaks to his heart and mind."Anonymous

"I was touched by the Lord each and every night. By His Sacred Heart and the love that He has for all of us. As I realized how afraid and weak I am, I had doubts as to my worthiness. After going to confession on Wednesday night, the doubts were still there. I prayed that the Lord would help me. The very next morning at the 6:30 Mass in a parish miles and miles away from St. Francis, the priest saying the Mass had the words I needed to hear in his brief sermon. That very morning, I called my brother to forgive him and to be forgiven. It had been 15 months since we had spoken. We, and our families, were in pain from a silly misunderstanding. By that night, Thursday, I had made peace with my brother. I had stopped the pain, and began the healing. My first step on the road to my Jesus... I need to take many more steps, but I am on my way." Anonymous

"My oldest daughter has been deeply hurt in her marriage. She has pain and doubt. During the Mission, she asked for and received help from Father Bill Gaffney. She is still working through it, but I know and she knows that the Lord will help." Anonymous

"My youngest daughter, away from Jesus for a while, returned via the Mission."Anonymous

"I brought a friend from work and her severely physically and mentally challenged daughter to be prayed over. The little girl, nine years of age, cannot stand still. She moves all the time - grits her teeth, cries out. When she was prayed over, she became still and stared into the eyes of Father Bill into the eyes of Jesus. Father Bill only said His name over and over. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," and the peace came. Her Mom told me that the little girl was still for the ride home, only a five minute ride, but she was resting in the Lord for sure." Anonymous

"Wow! A word used when no other word can describe the action of the Holy Spirit. Our parish will never be the same. I pray our parish will continue to feel this hunger for God. So many people were touched by the Holy Spirit." Dot Jones

"I thought that the Mission was great. Even the long sessions, both morning and evening did not seem to chase many people away. The points brought out by both Father Bill and Gloria were thought-provoking. The examples of the problems of everyday life often hit home. The use of children in the evenings to promote enthusiasm and teach lessons was effective. It was the first time I had hands laid on, where I fell down. Prayers were asked for myself and relatives with medical problems. It was great being an altar server at the morning Mass with Sam Jones." Ray Kenny

"On the second night of the Mission, I felt an intense sense of peace come over me. The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Spirt have taken on new meaning in my life. I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend this Mission during Lent." Mary Ann Tucker

"The Parish Mission was truly a gift of the Holy Spirit. It was awesome. I was particularly moved with the closing liturgy, especially with Father Riccio and Father Otto holding the base of the monstrance as the parishioners paid homage to the Jesus present in the Sacred Host. I believe that many blessings will be bestowed on us, hopefully vocations to the religious life." Mary M. Kane