By Rosemary Daniels | Correspondent

Recovery from the damage wrought by disasters like Hurricane Sandy is not always limited to the physical. Many times victims suffer on a psychological and spiritual level as well. John Boucher, associate director for evangelization, diocesan Ministry of Catechesis and Evangelization, saw a need for spiritual renewal and brought that message to St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, March 2, through his workshop, “Walking With Jesus When the Power Goes Out.”

 Boucher said, “The Catholic Church has a very sound theology that has applied to suffering through the centuries.  In this workshop, I share the teachings about suffering in a way that I hope gives comfort to the sufferer.”

Addressing a crowd of some 40 participants, he likened a relationship with Christ to a three-step waltz which includes suffering, surrender and spiritual growth. He explained that, as disciples of Christ, the faithful must experience all three components to realize a truly Catholic existence. Boucher also stressed that the cycle is repeated countless times throughout our lives, and that no one can exist in just one part of the “waltz.”

Boucher, who has worked in lay ministry for many years, was serving in a Long Island parish in 1996 when TWA flight 800 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean close to the parish. Six of the 230 victims were members of the parish. The community was rocked by the tragedy and the parish grappled with how to minister to their devastated congregation. Boucher was asked to put together some materials to help parish members deal with the tragedy. This was the genesis of his current workshop.

Similarly, when the 9-11 attacks occurred, Boucher was working in northern New Jersey, where many local residents were affected. He used the materials developed in Long Island to minister to parishioners who were dealing with feelings of helplessness and sorrow.

When Hurricane Sandy hit, Boucher was overwhelmed by the number of Internet and Facebook entries that were being posted as the storm was happening.  He realized, “We’re going through the same thing again. I have something that might be of use.”

In his presentation, Boucher stressed that suffering can be an invitation to grow in the Lord Jesus, to deepen compassion, and to receive new strength from the Holy Spirit.

After encouraging workshop participants to think about how they might be suffering today, and about others in their lives who might also be suffering, Boucher shared four main concepts with the group:

Jesus the Sufferer

The lordship of Jesus Christ is a paradox of joy and sorrow. But through the sorrow (suffering, condemnation and death), we see Christ’s unconditional love for us. To be a true disciple means to attach ourselves totally to Christ and therefore to embrace the sorrow as well as the joy.

The Value of Suffering

There are many kinds of pain, from true physical and emotional pain, to boredom, temptation, and sin. However, suffering can be a gift, in that it can produce stronger faith, teach us that we need others, and make us more aware of our dependence on God. To surrender to suffering is to experience healing and conversion. We learn to know Christ’s mind and live it. Finally, we experience the redemptive act of sacrifice; we can offer our suffering up, for Christ and for others.

To Dance in the Darkness

There are ways to work our way through the suffering. Most importantly, to cling to the Lord Jesus daily, through daily prayer, reading Scripture, regular reception of the sacraments, and building community with others. A sense of mission helps us to share Jesus and the love of God with others.

In our suffering, we cry out our pain to God, describe what we need and ask for help. We must trust God’s view of the situation, and believe there is a larger purpose still beyond our view.

Reaching Out to Support Others Who Suffer

When we cannot help others who are suffering, we must accept our helplessness, and understand that God can change what we cannot. We can cry out to God and watch and wait for God to act. As Catholics, we should reach out with the heart and spirit of Jesus to those who suffer, love with both words and silence and help the sufferer to lament their anger, shock or guilt to God. Finally, we can connect those who suffer with Jesus, by praying and sharing our own personal faith journeys.

Lou Czubachowski, a member of St. Catharine Parish, came because he is involved in several of the parish’s ministries.  Czubachowski explained, “I was looking for more insight into what a person involved in my ministries might be experiencing. I really like John’s workshops. He brings out his own personal experiences, and his presentations are very visual.”

Rita Kesolits, also from St. Catharine Parish, initially attended because her husband was interested in the topic, but she found the workshop beneficial, as well. She said, “It’s made me re-think some things I’ve been taught, but haven’t thought about in a long time. It’s also made me more reflective.”

Chris Hansen, deacon in St. Catharine’s, had been in early discussions with Boucher about the need for a spiritual workshop such as this, and was pleased that St. Catharine Parish was the first parish to host it. Hansen commented, “My hopes are that the Church will experience more success from this program as it rolls out to other parishes and that the Church will see it as an indication for our positive, Christ-filled, proactive approach to helping Catholics and people of all faiths, to turn to the Lord for his help in times of trouble.”

The Ministry of Catechesis and Evangelization will be holding a second workshop on March 17, from 2-5:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 61 Georgia Road in Freehold. To register for this free seminar, call 609-403-7153 or email [email protected].