Beginning of Peace that Heals
I am Sister Ita Hickey, born in Dublin, Ireland. I believe my inner peace began when I was a child. I was one of 14 children and as you can imagine there was very little privacy afforded to each of us. We were not a noisy family, but instead we were all helpfully occupied. We played with our friends, help with the cleaning, growing vegetables and most of us learned how to cook. We as kids, didn't allow the boys to say bad words in the house. We experienced a lot of give and take. All of this was a great help to my formation as a sister.
When I was 20, I entered the convent. Besides believing I was called by God to follow him and seek his ways, I was also delighted in some personal enrichment! I had a bed and a room to myself and a place to put my things. This gave me the opportunity to experience Inner Peace and silence.
First hands-on healing experience
When I was less than two years in the convent, I was asked to take care of a paralyzed novice. She had T.B. of the spine. I asked her what I could do for her and she said, "Help me to walk so that I can be professed." I got olive oil and began to work on her little finger, which was the only moving or working part of her body. I will relate later on how she was healed and walked.
Later in my life I went to Healing workshops (Healing Touch Therapeutic Touch) with nurses from surrounding hospitals and my healing gift was further revealed to me. I was trained to work with Preemies. I saw God's Holy Touch on each of these little lives. I also joined a Charismatic Group and used God's Healing gift there. God has used me mightily well.
I promised to tell you the rest of the story of my little charged, Sister Alexis. The first thing to come into my head was to get some olive oil from the sister in Alexa's kitchen. She was puzzled! I had to explain to her that I was going to treat Alexis with olive oil. She smiled at me, likely thinking (simple sister) . However, she gave me a large bottle and wished me well.
I sat at the bed beside my patient and explained to her the lowdown as to what I was going to do. She smiled and I began my work. Beginning on the only part of her body that could move , her left finger. I began to apply the prayed-over olive oil.
Armed with patience and faith, I kept moving on each day, not thinking of what was really happening under my fingers. In my simplicity, I believed my application would work. Why not? I was from a Family of Healers. so it said in the History of the Hickey Name. I'm not sure how long it took to get the whole body supple, probably two or three months. I never counted the days.
The day came when Sister Alexis wanted to try out her legs to start walking. An older sister, who was a nurse , came to my aid and we stood on either side of her. With her sweet English accent. Alexis said." Hold me by the backside and don't let me go!" When she put her feet to the ground and her weight on them, she screamed in pain. It could be heard throughout the complex!
Just across the courtyard, it happened that the sisters were in church at 4PM prayer. Their windows were open as were ours. I later explained to them ( they thought I was killing her! ) what was really happening with our precious sister.
Sister Alexis was eventually able to walk and make her profession in the order and lived out many happy years serving our Lord. MAY GOD BE PRAISED!!
The Formation
I am a Sister for Christian Community, living out my vows and trying to do my best to serve God's People.
The desire for inner peace and healing always came to the forefront. All this time, I was already teaching Bible study and Spirituality classes to a larger group. This group became our 1st Inner Peace Group and from the Spirituality Group, the Core Group for Peace That Heals Ministries was formed.
I asked a chosen few to join me in The Ministry of Inner Peace and Healing. After years of formation, they have experienced great inner peace and they told me it has changed their lives. Now I want to share God's Gift's with people who feel that they would love to find Inner Peace in their lives.
After discernment and prayer with a close friend, the Core Group of 8 was selected in 2012. I asked them to set aside a year for formation using prayer, bible study, spirituality reading and listening quiet music on tapes to find tranquility. Also they were asked to attend church one day during the week aside from Sunday. To start reconciling with a friend or family member, it was important to learn to forgive and start getting involved with their search for inner peace.
During 2012 the Core Group elected officers, wrote their by-laws, developed their logo and found a great lawyer to help them get the Ministry founded.
The official start date of Peace that Heals Ministries (PTHM) was February 16, 2013.
