The Peace in the Storm Project:
Parish Accompaniment for People Living with Chronic Pain and Illness
Where is God when good people suffer? What is God’s purpose in the midst of pain? How can I find joy and peace if I am hurting?
St. Mary Magdalen is aware of the many challenges that chronic pain and illness pose in the lives of our parishioners. We understand how these conditions can lead to questions of faith, too, and we want you to know that you are not alone!
We invite adult parishioners with any chronic pain or illness to a parish-based, spiritually supportive Discussion Group developed by the national ministry called The Peace in the Storm Project. The Group will meet monthly on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am – 11:00 am beginning on January 18th to reflect, pray, and deepen understanding of God’s love, presence, and purpose for and through suffering, within the context of our Catholic faith and our SMM parish community.
Discussion themes are based on the inspirational devotional, Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness, by Catholic author and speaker Maureen Pratt. Peace in the Storm… has been in continuous print since 2005 and is used by many individuals, churches, and pastoral care teams as an encouraging and insightful spiritual support for those living with chronic pain and illness. Written from theologically sound and honest, encouraging insight, the book has been granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur by Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT. It is the only Catholic devotional focused on living with chronic pain and illness to have been granted this approval.
If you are interested in joining the Discussion Group, or for more information, please contact Melanie S. Gaumond at [email protected]. Prior to the first meeting, participants are asked to purchase a copy of the book Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness. Ten are available from the parish (at a discount), or online bookstores (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.), or the publisher Galilee Road Publishing.  http://www.galileeroadpublishing.com/
Group participants will receive The Peace in the Storm Discussion Guide for Parishes, Seven-Session Version at no cost.