Ministry offers healing after Mass

"We've always felt this program should be a part of our Church," said Marie Grigaitis, whose efforts have added a unique ministry to her parish.

The program is Afterglow of the Eucharist, a parish prayer ministry developed about five years ago in the Midwest. Mrs. Grigaitis and her husband, Deacon Jerry Grigaitis, learned about it while at a workshop on charismatic renewal.

The two are co-liaisons of the Albany Diocesan Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal.

Healing power

Mrs. Grigaitis explained that Afterglow of the Eucharist is a ministry based on the healing power of the Eucharist.

The ministry is implemented directly after Mass by a prayer team that blesses and prays with an individual or family for their needs.

"There are so many hurting and sick people in today's world," she said. "Praying with others is meant to be a normal and natural part of the Christian life, and should be a logical outgrowth of the Eucharistic celebration."

Beginnings

The couple asked Rev. John Cairns, pastor at St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park if he might be interested in starting it there.

With his support, the couple placed notices in the parish bulletin, explaining the ministry and asking for volunteers. About 15 people responded; once trained, were ready to go.

Mrs. Grigaitis said that immediately following Mass is a perfect time for the ministry because recent reception of the Eucharist allows a person to continue the Eucharistic prayer said at Mass.

"When we say the words before Communion, 'Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,' we are placing our very lives into His merciful care," she said. "After receiving Jesus, we extend this time into the Afterglow of Eucharist, asking Him to touch whatever needs to be restored within us."

Varied responses

"The response varies," noted Deacon Grigaitis. "Some weeks, we might have four or five people come forward. Other times, it may be just one or two. We ask each person what he or she wishes to pray for. Together, we recite the Blessing Prayer of Healing."

Mrs. Grigaitis added that the object is to bring those who are hurting physically, spiritually or emotionally into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

"People's needs vary," Deacon Grigaitis said. "Some are big; some are small. It doesn't matter what they are. Needs are needs, and each one deserves a prayer."

Adoption

The deacon recalled that "once we had a family come forward wanting to pray about their upcoming adoption of a Russian child. They had concerns about traveling to Russia to get the baby and were worried about the adoption procedure. We prayed for everything to go well.

"One year later, on the date of that first prayer, they were back, holding their new child in their arms, asking for a prayer of celebration and rejoicing."

(Other parishes that use Afterglow of the Eucharist on a regular basis include Immaculate Conception in Glenville and St. Madeleine Sophie in Guilderland. For information, call Marie and Jerry Grigaitis at 371-7911 or email them at [email protected].)

(6/22/06) [[In-content Ad]]