Caritas: Contemplative Healing
A group that offers healing prayer and laying on of hands for those who are ill or in 
pain is part of our ministry here at Incarnation. It is called Caritas: Contemplative Healing. Caritas is Latin for “caring.” Many people are familiar with these lines from the Taize Chant, “Ubi Caritas. Ubi caritas, et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.” The translation is, “Where caring and love are, God is there.” The well-known healer Agnes Sanford said that “Love is the fuel that feeds the healing fire.” Caritas is a good descriptive name for such a healing prayer group.
Caritas members gather the first Saturday morning of the month at Incarnation to pray with individuals who want to receive healing and laying on of hands. Members of the group have received twenty or more hours of healing training from The Dr. Rev. Francis and Ann Geddes in a process that is grounded in the practice of contemplative prayer. Francis has introduced a ministry of healing into more than fifteen congregations and to more than 900 individuals on the West Coast over the past thirty-four years.
Members of Caritas include: Debora Leitner, Liza Brickey, Terri Hobart, Francis Geddes, Marti Kennedy, Suzanne Kurtz, Adelaida Ramos, and Diane Schoenrock. If you would like to know more about Caritas ask any of the individuals named above. Please contact Francis Geddes to make an appointment if you would like to schedule a time to receive healing. Caritas is not a drop-in group. Call him at 579-6726 or email him at Francis.Geddes@Stanfordalumni.org.
The tradition of offering prayers for healing dates back to the very earliest days of the church and is rooted in Jesus’ own ministry as a healer and in his proclamation of the creative spirit of God at work in our midst. Members of Caritas seek to be used as instruments of God’s healing gift, conveying care and love for those who need support, are ill, or are in pain.
From the Rector
Saint Andrews Mission
A Parochial Mission of Church of the Incarnation serving the Russian River Community.