We are excited to announce that Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT is going to be our guest speaker at the 2018 Renewal Ministries’ Gathering! Here’s a bit of her story…
The following post, “From Darkness Into God’s Marvelous Light”, was originally written by Trent Beattie for the National Catholic Register Blog Oct. 21st, 2010.
SEATTLE — Church was the last thing on Sharon Heidland’s mind when she entered college in the fall of 1994. Having received a full volleyball scholarship to the University of Nevada-Reno, she was living 800 miles away from home and pursuing her own path toward what she thought would bring happiness.
“My goal entering college was to succeed at sports and build skills for a successful
career,” she explained. “I wanted to be either a businesswoman or a journalist. Above all, I wanted to do something great with my life, something extraordinary. I thought ultimate happiness would be wealth, prestige, glamour and power.”
With her parents no longer telling her what to do, Sharon stopped attending Mass, never went to confession, and was certainly not going to be found at any prayer meetings. Instead, worldly pursuits consumed her time. In addition to her scholarship, she had a boyfriend on the football team and a schedule full of parties. She was free to do as she pleased, which was supposed to bring her happiness.
Yet instead of being filled with happiness, she was empty. “After getting a taste of having everything the world says you should have to be happy, but finding my heart utterly empty, I began to deeply yearn for something more. The partying, boyfriends, school and sports didn’t fill me. When I was truly honest with myself, I had to admit that I was shattered within.” Read more»
For more details on the Renewal Ministries’ Gathering, click here.
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Download Biography (PDF, 65KB)
Why aren’t you on EWTN Tuesdays at 5:30 pm? I’ve missed you the past several weeks.
EWTN recently changed our broadcast time to 5 p.m. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope you are able to continue watching at this new time! Also, you can catch the shows you missed on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLK1vk61R6yhGcTdbZY3LiG1GmC0hXZlO
Dear Sr. Miriam,
My name is Tom and I am a Catholic priest, now canonically leaving the priesthood. My story is your story in many ways. I was raped as a child, a recovering, alcoholic, and on and on. I have lived with the shame of leaving the priesthood for years……..and on and on. Hidden Wounds was so beautiful and resonated so deeply with me…………..and then you read Mark : 5. Only the Lord knows that is my deepest “truth” in how I see myself in His eyes. Never deserving to come close enough to “be seen” yet knowing in my broken little heart I just wanted so desperately to touch His clothing. If I could just do that, He would heal me and forgive me?
I am a hospice chaplain now and also speak on the human condition, addiction, and trauma every chance I get. http://www.cleanfortheday.com.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me through your talk. I am in tears, and grateful.
In Christ,
Fr Tom
Please pray for spiritual healing for our daughter Michele from her feelings of guilt, shame and unworthiness..