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Maria Vadia believes that "everyone is in need of healing."

Some people need to be healed of physical pain, she said, but others need emotional healing.

Ms. Vadia would like people to know they can be healed. The speaker from The Glory of God Ministries will talk about healing at a gathering for the Diocesan Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal on July 18 at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park. She will also speak at St. Anthony's in Schenectady on July 17.

Ms. Vadia will remind local Catholics that Jesus provides healing.

"He already healed you," she explained. "He took every sickness and disease on the Cross with Him. Now is the time for us to receive His healing."

Ms. Vadia never expected to be traveling the globe spreading that message. "This is the plan of God for my life," she stated.

Born in Cuba, she was 10 when her family fled to Miami, Florida, to escape communism. Later, she married a wealthy man and describes herself as being gripped by materialism. But she found her life was empty.

During this time, Ms. Vadia's sister prayed for her. At a charismatic prayer service, Ms. Vadia finally understood why: "The Lord's hands were on me, and, poof, my life was changed," she said.

She found she had the ability to bring Jesus' healing to others. When she lays hands on people to bring healing, she is praying for them and proclaiming the Good News, she said.

Ms. Vadia pointed out that Jesus asked His disciples to do this. She quoted Matthew 10:7-8, the Gospel passage in which Jesus sends out the Apostles to heal the sick.

Deacon Jerry Grigaitis, chairperson and bishop's liaison for the Diocesan Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, said that "healing is a part of Mass. Healing has always been a gift of the Church."

He said organizers of the event are expecting Catholics from across the Diocese and some from downstate to attend. He said the committee is pleased to bring a speaker who can address both English and Spanish speakers.

For some listeners at her talks, Ms. Vadia said, "the biggest challenge is receiving healing."

She explained that some Catholics believe they must suffer, so they aren't open to healing. Others, she said, believe they aren't worthy of healing, while some have a lack of faith.

Raised in a family of Catholics who were also medical professionals, Ms. Vadia said she understands that illness is complex. For some people, spiritual or emotional distress causes real illnesses. When the person's spiritual ailment is healed, some physical symptoms can also be healed, she said.

"We are spirit, soul and body," she said. "The emotional and spiritual parts of us can affect our body."

Not everyone is healed in the way they want, Ms. Vadia added: "Some people need to learn to forgive. There are a lot of people who are healed after they forgive.

Every situation is different. But the solution is the same and that is Jesus."

("Jesus Heals Today" will be held July 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at St. Edward's Church in Clifton Park. Registration is $25 the day of the event. An evening with Maria Vadia in Spanish will be held July 17 at St. Anthony's in Schenectady. Call 371-7911.) [[In-content Ad]]

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