Developing a better understanding about spiritual freedom and how true freedom can only come from true acceptance of Christ will be explored during the Easter season by five Mercer County parishes.

From April 29 through May 1, the parishes that comprise the Lumen Christi Cohort – Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton; St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton; St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square; St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville, and St. John the Baptist, Allentown – will host a parish mission, “Spiritual Freedom, God’s Life Changing Gift,” with presenter Father Dave Pivonka each evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in St. Raphael Church, 3500 South Broad Street.

“Spiritual freedom not only defines the true nature of freedom, it gives you the practical tools you need to achieve the conversation, healing and restoration God has for you,” according to Josephine Woodward, one of two representatives from St. Raphael-Holy Angels serving on the Cohort Planning Team.

“Father will inspire you to embrace the truth of who you really are, a son or daughter of God who made you, in freedom,” she said.

Father Pivonka, who is a member of the Sacred Heart Province of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, currently serves as director of the Franciscan Pathways, an evangelization outreach of the Franciscan community. He speaks at conferences, retreats and parish missions throughout the world and also leads pilgrimages to sites pertinent to the Catholic faith. He has authored “Spiritual Freedom – God’s Life Changing Gift;” “Hiking the Camino – 50 Miles with Jesus;” “Encounter Jesus – From Discovery to Discipleship,” and “Breath of God: Living a Life Led by the Holy Spirit.” He is also responsible for The Wild Goose, a 14-part video series which explores what it is to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

While the mission begins April 29, Woodward said Father Pivonka will be introduced during a “Meet and Greet” April 28 following the 11:30 a.m. Mass in St. Raphael’s All Purpose Room. That evening Father Pivonka will celebrate the 5 p.m. Mass for Life Teen members, and all youth and young adults are welcome to attend. Fellowship and refreshments will follow.

Each day of the mission will include a talk by Father Pivonka, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated on April 29; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on April 30 and the celebration of Mass on May 1. A sign language interpreter will be available for the hearing impaired. To arrange for  child care,  sign up at StGregorytheGreatChurch.org/cohort by April 23. Mission participants are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item for St. Raphael-Holy Angels’ food pantry. Due to limited parking attendees are encouraged to carpool.

Woodward explained Father Pivonka was selected to lead the Cohort mission since many parishioners and Cohort planning members were familiar with him from previous events and his having a strong following by youth and young adults.

“Our goal is to offer a mission that targets the entire parish community,” Woodeard said. “We chose ‘Spiritual Freedom: God’s Life Changing Gift’ because it has a message for everyone. Father Dave will inspire us to embrace the truth of who we really are, a son or daughter of God who made us free, in freedom.

“This is a message that we want to convey,” Woodward said. “Our hope is that everyone will come away with an examination of self as to what spiritual freedom means in each of their lives and begin to grow in that freedom.”

For more information, call 609-585-7049 or visit SRHAP.org.