Apostolate of Divine Mercy and Healing

It was in the fall of 1989 when I drove to Saranac Lake, New York to see Doctor Denise Ferrando. This was an hour and fifteen minute trip from where I taught school in Potsdam New York. Doctor Ferrando was the only doctor I could find who would see me on short notice. I was experiencing some physical symptoms that prompted me to put my teaching demands on hold for one afternoon and seek some medical attention. I spent over an hour listening to the Book of John on tape. (This was my assignment in preparation for an upcoming "Life in the Spirit" seminar that was to be held at St. Mary's Church in Potsdam, N.Y.) I thought Doctor Ferrando looked more like a fashion model than a physician. After examining me, she stepped back quickly and with evidence of some alarm informed me that she could feel a large tumor. We stared at each other with looks of disbelief. She found it difficult to believe that I wasn't aware of the tumor and its obvious signs, and I just couldn't "wrap my brain around'' what the good doctor was telling me. After going to the local hospital for blood work I, still enable to grasp the awe of the situation made my way to my car. When I tamed the ignitions the tape I was listening to began to play. From exactly this point in the tape, this is what I heard: But when Jesus heard it. He said, "This illness will not end in death; no, it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified.'' (John 11:4) My feelings of fear and dismay began to be eclipsed by a sense of joy and excitement knowing that this was a message from God. I even found some humor in the situation, telling myself that God knew I (being one of his weaker children) needed neon signs and audible voices in order to get my attention and to point me in the right direction. I was so grateful that I had listened to that "small, still voice'' within me that prompted me to bring the tape along to listen to while traveling to Saranac. I would soon learn that God's Word has a power far beyond what I previously thought. In November of 1989, I was given a complete hysterectomy. I was told by my doctor that they couldn't get all the cancer. It had spread to even organ in my abdominal cavity. They wanted to administer a very aggressive regime of chemotherapy to my bloodstream in order to prolong my life. Needless to say, the winter of 1990 was a very long and difficult season. The oncologists that traveled to Saranac Lake from Albany Medical Center were less than encouraging. In fact they were brutally honest about my less than favorable outcome. They opened no real hope that the treatments would bring about a cure. The unbelief of these doctors and of many others in my surroundings was very disheartening. On my trips to Saranac Lake to receive chemo treatments. I liked to listen to a tape by Twila Parks. She sang a song that incorporated the words from Chronicles 20:15-17. Also not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army (problem). For the battle is not yours but God's... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your position; stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord. "I began to search the Bible for a word from God and to find a refuge from an unbelieving world. Certain scriptures seemed to jump off the page at me, and somehow I knew they were meant for me. Over and over again I was given assurances that God was very much in this ordeal win me. I wrote down many passages from the Bible that told me that his word is true and that he can do what he says he can do. When I became doubtful, I prayerfully repeated God's Word to myself this bolstered my faith and kept me focused on God's Words, not the words of others. I learned that Jesus is not asking us to have faith in our ability to muster up enough faith for a healing, but to believe in his ability to do all the things He says he can do. I felt that it was very important to forgive others for any and all offences. I didn't want anything to stand in the way of what God had for me. I have no unique formula for seeking God; I am just a fellow traveler on this earth like everyone else, and a person's relationship was God is a unique one. My Christian friends and relatives were a constant source of encouragement and blessing. My sister-in-law, Arletha, and my daughter, Bonnie, were given an extra measure of faith to believe in my eventual healing (even when others couldn't). When I was too weak, sick, and depressed to remain positive, they and others "stood in the gap'' and believed for me. (It's great to know that God is bigger than our doubts, fears, and shortcomings.) Father Larry Cotter was such a source of blessing and strength. This kind and gentle man frequented our home and called often to encourage me and to pray with me. Even though he is a cautious and conservative man, he expressed a belief that God was "doing something.'' I will be forever grateful to my husband, Bill, and my daughters, Rebecca, Bonnie, and Betsy and their husbands for their prayers and the countless ways they demonstrated their love. Gregg, my son-in-law, was the first to say that we should all turn to God, and in prayer, ask for a healing. There were so many people, to numerous to name, who blessed me with their love, prayers and encouragement. Gisela, June, Freda, John, Connie, Margaret and countless others, supported me with those faithful prayers. Three women, who had lived just a few miles from my home, contacted me to tell me that they had received miraculous healings several years ago. Anna Hayes, Hilda Shelley, and Sylvia B. Tenney were given no hope for survival by doctors, but yet, were miraculously cured. Arletha's account of the healing of her niece, Jennifer, also helped my faith to grow. In May of 1990, Dr. Ferrando called my husband at his office and asked him to come to Saranac Lake, alone. She showed him recent cat scans that revealed that the treatments had done little good. Bill later said that my insides looked like burned logs after a fire She instructed him to go home and prepare the family for the obvious eventuality. In the middle of a cold, sleepless, and lonely night I was finally able to surrender to God and tell Him that I would accept His will for me, what ever that was. I wondered if I had previously misunderstood God's plan for me. It was not easy to let go and let God have His way, because I have always been a very strong-willed person. After this release of myself into God's hands, I experienced a peace that really does "surpass all understanding". On a cool, but sunny Adirondack afternoon while sitting on my front porch, my friend, Freda stopped by. She told me about a healing service that would be held in Silver Bay, NY. A wonderful priest by the name of Father DiOrio would be there to minister to the people. She explained that her brother-in- law had been healed of cancer at one of his services. Since this weekend event was only two weeks away, I feared that all the seats would already be taken. I called Father DiOrio's office and was elated to learn that not only was there room for Bill and me, but for my whole family. It had been four weeds since my last chemo treatment, so I was gaining some strength back. The doctors told me they would administer no more treatments. My blood counts were so low that another session would kill me. After the last cat scan results, they probably thought more treatments would do no good anyway. It was amazing to see how God was still providing a way where there was no way. It was a wonderful weekend. I experienced such peace during mass on Sunday. Father spoke with such love and gentleness about his Savior, Jesus Christ. He anointed me with oil, and again I experienced great peace. Father Diorio told my husband, Bill, to let me have the upcoming laparoscopic surgery and not to be afraid. (This "look see" surgery was scheduled for the following weekend.) I was told that Doctor Fernando cried herself to sleep the night before the surgery because she knew what would be revealed the next day. Doctor Hixson had agreed to assist her. They were unable, after many attempts, to enter the abdominal cavity. They had to open me up. (They didn't know how much God was in control.) They were awestruck to see that all my organs, that had previously been invaded by cancer, were whole and pink, like a newborn baby's would be. Needless to say, Dr. Ferrando was so mystified and ecstatic that Doctor Hixson had to sew me up. She ran through the halls of the hospital looking for Bill. When she finally spotted him at the end of a long corridor, she began to run and shout, "She's clean; she's as clean as a newborn baby!'' My sister-in-law, Arletha had predicted these words almost exactly. Now, there are those who would like to take the glory away from God for this healing by saying that it was the result of my good attitude or the "poultice" applied by the doctors. Even though the medical profession did all they could, they will be the first to tell anyone who asks that this curative was not medically possible. My husband will be the first to inform anyone who asks how bad my attitude was at times. I was depressed, discouraged, and fearful on more than one occasion. I believe that God reveals Himself to the world, not because we are deserving, but because He desires to make known his existence, power, and mercy. He is almighty and the creator of all good things. I am no one special; what He has done for me, He will do for others. We must be careful to give Him all the credit, honor, and glory. Father DiOrio, in his precious humility, is blessing many with the gift of healing that has been given to him by Almighty God. In a little less then a year, I was back teaching my second-grade class. I was so thankful that I was able to return to a job that brought me so much enjoyment. Many of my students and their parents prayed for me, and for that I am extremely grateful. That was seventeen years ago. I am now retired from teaching, and I am still enjoying each day that the Lord has so graciously given me. Bill and I enjoy golf, traveling, and spending more time with family and friends. I am a member of the Gabriel Project, a group that offers friendship and practical help to women in crisis pregnancies. It is my hope that all who read this will join me in prayer for the protection of the unborn and others who cannot care for themselves. This life is not always easy or problem free, but we can be sure (His word is true.) that He is with us through it all. It is my prayer for anyone reading this, who is going through a time of suffering, that they will experience Jesus' strong hand in theirs as He leads them safely through. May we come to know our Healer and his great love for us in such a way that we no longer fear the future. I love what Jeremiah 29: 11 says: "for I know the plans I have for you'' says the Lords "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Lorraine Ford