On Friday, November 2nd Our Lady of Hope Church on Brennan Road in Sudbury was filled to capacity when several hundred gathered for the first evening of a conference entitled “I Am The Lord Your Healer”. The opening Mass was concelebrated by Father Fernando Suarez and Father Jeff Shannon, of the Companions of the Cross religious community based in Ottawa, Ontario; Father Jim Ketzler, pastor of St. James the Greater parish, Blind River and Father André Tremblay, pastor of St. Mathieu’s parish, Sudbury.

In the first talk of the conference entitled ‘The Healing Presence of Jesus In The Eucharist’, Father Fernando reminded his listeners that “every Eucharistic celebration is a healing celebration because of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist”. Following the Mass Father Fernando prayed individually with all who requested prayer, invoking the healing power of Jesus. Many of those prayed with testified to healing of their physical, emotional or spiritual ailments as a result of Father’s prayers.

Father Shannon was main celebrant and homilist when the conference resumed with the celebration of Mass on Saturday morning. Speaking on 'The Healing Heart of Jesus', Fr. Jeff told of the tremendous love God has for His people and highlighted some of the barriers which prevent people from being able to recognize that love.

The third talk of the series 'The Healing Power of the Cross' focused on sacrifice, both the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and as Father Fernando explained, how the people of God offer sacrifice to Him through time spent in prayer or in service to others.

The day concluded with a presentation by Father Jeff on 'The Eucharist, Source of All Healing', following which Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament brought the conference to an end.