HEAL Blog
Welcome! Here we will post news and highlight the faces, needs, and services of HEAL.HEAL’s First Village Health Outreach
“Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24). In our last newsletter, I told you the story of Promise, a young man in a terrible car accident who is now...
The Promise of Sr. Calista’s Legacy
As I prepare for my upcoming three week trip to Nigeria, from April 17th to May 9th, I am looking ahead with great hope for HEAL and our mission. Of course, it is only because I believe our Lord has called me into this mission that I have this hope even in the face of...
Rest In Peace Fr. Ambrose Osuagwu (1966-2017)
This last year has been an extremely difficult time period for the HEAL family in Nigeria. HEAL Founder, Deacon Leo, has suffered the loss of his mother, his elder sister, a beloved Reverend Sister, and, now, his best friend, Fr. Ambrose Osuagwu, who recently died at...
Rest In Peace Priscilla Okonkwo (1963-2017)
Almost one year after the passing of Bridget Okonkwo, mother of HEAL Founder Deacon Leo, we now report with sadness the passing of Deacon Leo’s elder sister, Priscilla. Priscilla was 52 years old and died of complications from hypertension and type A Diabetes. Upon...
Prayer on Ash Wednesday in Mbaise
HEAL is a Catholic mission that witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ to the poor and marginalized orphans, widows, and rural villagers in our care. Through the Spirit of self-emptying, the Messengers of Justice (MOJ) reach out in Jesus’ name to God’s people in...
Kindred Redeemer Farm Meetings Begin
The Lenten season we have now entered is a time of testing and purification for the People of God. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt into a long 40-year journey marked by the trials of scarcity and want in the desert. They patiently endured the desert...
“In Nigeria, Justice Is Bought!”
We published a newsletter last week describing our need for what I inaccurately called a “security fence”. In this letter, I will address proper terminology and some questions that you may be asking regarding this particular HEAL project. Let me say, first, that the...
More Serious Than Termites
About this time last year, we faced a threat to the Compassionate Home in the form of pesky critters called termites. As they burrowed through the wooden ceiling and walls of the Home, we knew drastic action was needed to save the only home our 50 resident orphans...
Seeing is Believing
All of us know the story of St. Thomas the Apostle, who earned the nickname of “doubting Thomas.” He famously protested that he wouldn’t believe in Jesus’ Resurrection until he saw the wounds in Jesus’ hands and feet and put his finger into His pierced side (John...
Celebrating A Great Year
HEAL and its partner, the Messengers of Justice (MOJ) congregation, are grateful for the progress of our mission in 2016. A Christmas celebration for the children of Mother Enabler Schools was held in Mbaise village, the home of HEAL and MOJ Founder, Deacon Leo...