of prayer. ince its opening in 1996, S= Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Ministry has brought to many sick and hurting people the healing presence of God every Wednes- day from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. atits healing center, the Catholic Renewal Center Building, 55 Scout Santiago corner Scout Rallos, Q.C. (tel. 373-2384), Founded and guided by its spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Teofilo Rustia, @ healing priest since the 70s, Bethesda has become a haven of refuge for thousands of people from all walks of life and who have benefited from their regular healing activities. The ministry offers a special day called Healing of the Family Tree and Relationhips done every first Wednesday of the month, It is one of their most well attended sessions. During an orientation for family tree healing, Dr. Pol Uichanco, one of the ‘members of Bethesda’s team of medical practitioners explains the process behind this concept. “Family tree healing is an area of inner heating that focuses on praying forone’s family bloodline forthe release of inherited sicknesses, bondages and destructive paiterns and weaknesses.” PARTI “Remember that the Lord is not bounded by time and space. And for us Catholics who believe in Purgatory, it is not inconceivable that there's something we can do for the dead in terms the doctor explains. “Kalimitan ang pinaka-madalas nating concerns ay yung mga pisikal na mga Aapansanan iamang. Fealing at Bethesda however, encompasses something total or holistic—a joumey to physical, emo- tional and spiritual wellness, Inner heal- ‘ng means that which is not visible right away. So we go down deep into the psy- chological level and the spiritual level to get to the source of the problem.” Second, family tree healing involves praying for one’s various family mem- bers both living and deceased, especially the living members who are still. “in darkness”, sin and suffering and those who have passed away with unrepented sins and unresolved conflicts, ‘Why is there a need to pray for dead ancestors? “We don’t know how they were before, many of them we never knew in our lifetime but we try to inter- cede. Inacko natin yung kanilang mga Jasalanan atkinukumpisal sa Panginoon pang humingi ng patawad. We act as representatives for vicarious forgiveness, repentance and healing. Remember that the Lord isnot bounded by time and space. And for us Catholics who believe in Purgatory, it isnot incon- ceivable that there's something we can BlueCollar 19 octoser- Novemaer 2000 ee healing), is being prayed over by Fr ee ees YOUR FAMILY TREE do for the dead in terms of prayer,” he stresses, Not to be disregarded are the prayers for the living as well. “Meron din naman tayong mga kamag-anak na hindi naman sigur masyadong religious 0 God-cen- tered. We need to pray for them because realizing we are one family, we have a responsibility topray for their conversion.” ‘Another important aspect of family tree healing is the spiritual adoption of un- bom children, particularly those who have been aborted or miscarried without the benefit ofbaptism. “Remember these children have souls already. Many of us disregard them, many were not even given names. So we spiritually adopt them through prayer, give them names and commit hem to the Lord.” Also lifted up are those who died without the bless- ing of the church—victims of sudden deaths, accidents suicides, and murders Dr. Pol also accentuates on the impor- tance of forgiveness and healing of rela- tionships within the family especially those who have caused huts, those who are hurting, most unlovedand uncared for. “Alam nating, hindi maiwasan ang mga ‘away-away sa pamilya. Minsan nga sa ‘mana lang malaking problema na. Kasama na rin dito yung away ng migav3 = Dr Pol Liehanco conducting @ Family Tre Hain Crentation at Bethesda Healing Center mag-asawa, mga anak at mga in-laws, We also pray for unresolved grief or losses. May isang ginang halimbawa na dalawang taon na 'y nagdadalamhati pa rin sa pagkamatay ng kanyang asawa, For some reason this wife could not let 80 and so the spirit of the dead is still somehow earth bound.” Bethesda members also intercede for ‘other families who are broken and have no one to pray for them. A FORMULA FOR HEALING So how does Bethesda help people with this? They follow the formula: Diagnosis plus therapy equals healing. The diagnosis is done through 4 one-on-one basis, a small group or a big group workshop using a structured -genogram showing one’s family tree. Here the supplicant lists down in particular any living or deceased family members up tothe 3"and 4° generations indicating sins, sicknesses, weaknesses and patterns of inherited defects Counseling and interviews are also con- ducted to find out if there are emotional disturbances or traumas in the person that can be handled by psychologists and counselors ‘The therapy and healing is in the celebration of the Family Tree Healing Mass where the genogram forms con- taining specific petitions for Family Tree Healing are offered to Jesus. Continued private prayers, sacrifices and good works for the specified intention supple- ‘ment the Mass attendance. Some examples are Mass intentions for the dead, rosaries, novenas, good works, Blessed Sacrament Adora- tion, ete. “The key is always Christ when He came to saveus. Christ came for our salvation. Salvation comes from the Latin word salus, which means health, holistic health—physical, emotional and spiritual. So through the presence of Jesus in the Holy Mass and His blood going through the generation there is no doubt that the negative influences can be cut.” the doctor concludes. INSTANT HEALING Vs. PROGRESSIVE HEALING To assure the success of this heal- ing program, a person must surrender in deep humility, forgiveness, total dependence and patience for the Lord to do the healing. Unrepented sins, attachments to feelings of hate, envy, resentments orbittemess, pride, unbelief or lack of expectant faith to “let go and let God” are considered as some of the blocks to healing Bethesda, members and supplicants live by the motto, “Healing isan inside job,” believing that it a continuous process and a way of life. Some get healed instantly but such is rare in inner healing and spiritual healing says Matibi Garcia, Head of Spiritual Forma- tion, Training and Development. “The Lord has His reasons for healing one person instantly and another over a period of time. Just like the story in Mark 8 where Jesus had to touch a blind man twice before he was able to see perfectly. From the moment we start praying, progressive healing already starts, then it is completed after con- ‘timuous prayers. Sometimes the Lord delays the complete healing—to lead the sick person to a deeper relationship with Him, God knows what each of us need, Healing is not God answering what we pray for right away, but God giving us the strength and grace to change our lives according to His will.” THE FAMILY TREE GENOGRAM ‘There are many areas or kinds of defects in one's family tree that one should look for in family ree healing, Genercaly, they are classified into groups and cisorders inthe genogram, A Inherited physical defects: Examples: Cancer (Brees, Lung Prost, Colon, Uterus, Bone, Cervix, Brain, Leu- emia, ete), Tumors, Diabetes, Artis, Hypertension, Weak Eyesight, Blindness, Respratory Diseases (Asthma), Stomach Disorders (Ulcer), Heat Disease, High or Low Bood.ete, 8, Spiritual, emotional and mental ‘weaknesses: Atheism, Prayerlessness, Anger with the Reigous Ocoutlnvohement:Examples - Voodo / Black Maio, Satanic Rivals, Fath Healing, Tarot Cards, Ouija Boards, Espirtistas, Talsman | Amulet (Antng-antng), Sprit of ‘he Giass, Horoscope, Fong Shui, Seance, Fortune Teng (Hula), WichcraSorcery (Kuiam) SinPattems: Examples- The Seven Capital BlueCollar 20 octostr- ovewser 2000 Sins of Pride, Lust, Anger, Greed, Envy, Gluttony, Sioth) Abortion / Miscartiages, Prostitution, Rape Incest. Other Negative TraitPatterns: Examples- Homosexuality, Pessimism / Negative Atitudes, Stress Tension, Depression, ‘Suicidal Tendencies, Unforgveness, Nervous Breakdown, Physical Abuse / Violence, Verbal Abuse / Cursing, Bad Temper /Hos- sity, Insanity C. Bondages | Addictions/ Destructive Behavior ‘Alcoholism, Drugs, Gambling, Immoralty ‘ Promiscuity / Womanizing, Patterns of Marital Separation, Excessive Vanity, Stinginess, Stealing (Kleptomeaniac), Exo2s- sve Spending, Excessive Fears! Anwsties | Worrying, Nymphomania, Eating disor- ders (Anorexia or Bulimia), Curses, Murder and EatlyViolent Deaths