Learning to forgive, spiritual renewal highlights of women's conference
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Lori Anne Oliwa | Correspondent
Forgiveness is a powerful gift and one that can be given to others as well as to oneself.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Such was the message that keynote speakers Nancy and Lloyd Greenhaw of Renewal Industries conveyed to the more than 100 women who gathered for the annual women’s conference Dec. 10 in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.
“Not forgiving is a block in our hearts,” Nancy Greenhaw said.
“We must speak the words; once we say the words, we have forgiven and have healed ourselves. As you forgive others, do not forget to also forgive yourselves,” she said.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the daylong conference centered on the theme “Prayer, Forgiveness and Healing in Family Life” and featured speeches from leaders within the movement, emotional stories of personal spiritual renewal and witness, uplifting music and Mass celebrated by Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish.
Debbie Gaudino, DOTCCR executive director and member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, encouraged attendees to bring their pain and challenges to the Lord without fear, saying, “Do not hide them.”
“Today is a day to refresh ourselves, to be bold in our faith and to focus on the Lord and the power he has given us to forgive, especially during this time of year,” she said.
The Greenhaws, who explained that their backgrounds included leaving lucrative careers in 1991 and beginning a new journey of traveling the world as ministers of Catholic evangelization, inspired their audience by sharing anecdotes and guided meditations on the act of forgiveness and healing.
Lloyd Greenhaw noted how 2017 marks the golden jubilee of the Christian Charismatic Renewal.
“This is a perfect time to experience a spiritual awakening. We are ready for an explosion of faith today and will tap into the power and fruits of the jubilee,” he said, explaining that there are three keys that define the gifts of the jubilee: believers will be freed from shame and guilt; family households and relationships will be restored, and slaves will be freed, referring to the chains of hate, prejudice and the lack of faith and forgiveness.
He asked the audience to reflect on their identity as Christians and challenged them to think about how they represent themselves to others.
“In the Bible, Jesus asked, ‘Who do people say I am?’” Lloyd Greenhaw said. “So the same question is here for us, and we answer it by the way we live our lives as Christians and demonstrate our faith. Do not be chickens in God’s love.”
Nancy Greenhaw shared her personal story as witness to the power of prayer and described her former life as a watercolor artist. Both she and husband, who worked for a Fortune 500 company, were very successful professionals.
“All the stuff, all the houses, all the boats, and I still felt empty,” she said, adding, “I didn’t know Jesus.”
Everything changed, she said, after her husband encouraged her to attend a parish meeting.
“The church members prayed for us, and eventually, God called us to go work for him,” Nancy Greenhaw said. “We got rid of all of our stuff, and now we travel around the world on missions and have witnessed so many miracles.”
She went on to describe a mission trip to Uganda, during which she had prayed to God for “just one birthday present.” She believes her prayers were answered when, during the trip, a young girl with polio who had limited movement hobbled to the staging area. As Nancy Greenhaw danced with her, the girl’s movements became stronger, and she was healed.
“That was my birthday present,” Nancy Greenhaw said, adding, “God hears us and wants us to think big, very big. Use your prayers and your hands to heal your friends and to heal your families. You will be astounded at what he does for you and through you. He always has more in store for us, and we must be confident to the point of audacity of faith, not limited by loss or lack.”
In his homily, Father Kegley invited everyone to experience freedom by living in the light of the Holy Spirit without fear. He used the analogy of the carpet in the narthex of the church and noted it looks clean on the surface after being vacuumed, but once a magnifying glass is used, the stain and dirt at the core becomes visible.
“We live in bondage to sin,” he said. “The Holy Spirit illuminates this dirt to help heal us, and we must claim it, name it and be healed. Only when we deal with the dirt are we free of it and free to enjoy the fruits of the Gospel.”
Throughout the day, conference attendees were renewed and uplifted and reacted with gratitude and grace.
“Today I prayed for discernment in my professional career and thought the day would be a good way to make quiet time to do this,” said Karen Ruffner of St. Mary of Ostrabrama, South River. “I was really moved by the music, prayer and Holy Mass.”
Kathy Elgrim, a Trenton-area resident, cited the “amazing gifts of Father Kegley” and acknowledged him for bringing the grace of the Healing Mass into her life.
“It’s an amazing day. I have experienced the power of healing and feel the Holy Spirit here today,” she said.
Sandra Metzger of Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, explained that while she is experiencing health issues, she earnestly believes that Jesus is the healer.
“He woke me up this morning to attend this event, and I believe I have found him here at this service. I can sense that he is happy with the prayer and devotion here,” she said.
In recapping the spirit of the day, Lloyd Greenhaw told his audience, “Remember that faith is a journey and is a lifestyle, not just a one-time deal.
“Each of us is a soldier of faith and needs to touch others,” he said.
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By Lori Anne Oliwa | Correspondent
Forgiveness is a powerful gift and one that can be given to others as well as to oneself.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Such was the message that keynote speakers Nancy and Lloyd Greenhaw of Renewal Industries conveyed to the more than 100 women who gathered for the annual women’s conference Dec. 10 in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.
“Not forgiving is a block in our hearts,” Nancy Greenhaw said.
“We must speak the words; once we say the words, we have forgiven and have healed ourselves. As you forgive others, do not forget to also forgive yourselves,” she said.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the daylong conference centered on the theme “Prayer, Forgiveness and Healing in Family Life” and featured speeches from leaders within the movement, emotional stories of personal spiritual renewal and witness, uplifting music and Mass celebrated by Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish.
Debbie Gaudino, DOTCCR executive director and member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, encouraged attendees to bring their pain and challenges to the Lord without fear, saying, “Do not hide them.”
“Today is a day to refresh ourselves, to be bold in our faith and to focus on the Lord and the power he has given us to forgive, especially during this time of year,” she said.
The Greenhaws, who explained that their backgrounds included leaving lucrative careers in 1991 and beginning a new journey of traveling the world as ministers of Catholic evangelization, inspired their audience by sharing anecdotes and guided meditations on the act of forgiveness and healing.
Lloyd Greenhaw noted how 2017 marks the golden jubilee of the Christian Charismatic Renewal.
“This is a perfect time to experience a spiritual awakening. We are ready for an explosion of faith today and will tap into the power and fruits of the jubilee,” he said, explaining that there are three keys that define the gifts of the jubilee: believers will be freed from shame and guilt; family households and relationships will be restored, and slaves will be freed, referring to the chains of hate, prejudice and the lack of faith and forgiveness.
He asked the audience to reflect on their identity as Christians and challenged them to think about how they represent themselves to others.
“In the Bible, Jesus asked, ‘Who do people say I am?’” Lloyd Greenhaw said. “So the same question is here for us, and we answer it by the way we live our lives as Christians and demonstrate our faith. Do not be chickens in God’s love.”
Nancy Greenhaw shared her personal story as witness to the power of prayer and described her former life as a watercolor artist. Both she and husband, who worked for a Fortune 500 company, were very successful professionals.
“All the stuff, all the houses, all the boats, and I still felt empty,” she said, adding, “I didn’t know Jesus.”
Everything changed, she said, after her husband encouraged her to attend a parish meeting.
“The church members prayed for us, and eventually, God called us to go work for him,” Nancy Greenhaw said. “We got rid of all of our stuff, and now we travel around the world on missions and have witnessed so many miracles.”
She went on to describe a mission trip to Uganda, during which she had prayed to God for “just one birthday present.” She believes her prayers were answered when, during the trip, a young girl with polio who had limited movement hobbled to the staging area. As Nancy Greenhaw danced with her, the girl’s movements became stronger, and she was healed.
“That was my birthday present,” Nancy Greenhaw said, adding, “God hears us and wants us to think big, very big. Use your prayers and your hands to heal your friends and to heal your families. You will be astounded at what he does for you and through you. He always has more in store for us, and we must be confident to the point of audacity of faith, not limited by loss or lack.”
In his homily, Father Kegley invited everyone to experience freedom by living in the light of the Holy Spirit without fear. He used the analogy of the carpet in the narthex of the church and noted it looks clean on the surface after being vacuumed, but once a magnifying glass is used, the stain and dirt at the core becomes visible.
“We live in bondage to sin,” he said. “The Holy Spirit illuminates this dirt to help heal us, and we must claim it, name it and be healed. Only when we deal with the dirt are we free of it and free to enjoy the fruits of the Gospel.”
Throughout the day, conference attendees were renewed and uplifted and reacted with gratitude and grace.
“Today I prayed for discernment in my professional career and thought the day would be a good way to make quiet time to do this,” said Karen Ruffner of St. Mary of Ostrabrama, South River. “I was really moved by the music, prayer and Holy Mass.”
Kathy Elgrim, a Trenton-area resident, cited the “amazing gifts of Father Kegley” and acknowledged him for bringing the grace of the Healing Mass into her life.
“It’s an amazing day. I have experienced the power of healing and feel the Holy Spirit here today,” she said.
Sandra Metzger of Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, explained that while she is experiencing health issues, she earnestly believes that Jesus is the healer.
“He woke me up this morning to attend this event, and I believe I have found him here at this service. I can sense that he is happy with the prayer and devotion here,” she said.
In recapping the spirit of the day, Lloyd Greenhaw told his audience, “Remember that faith is a journey and is a lifestyle, not just a one-time deal.
“Each of us is a soldier of faith and needs to touch others,” he said.
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