Bethany Intercessors: Praying With Great Love And Trusting In The Lord

St. Teresa of Calcutta lived out one of her most famous quotes, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

In turn, a group of about 50 people at Holy Family Cathedral work to live out that quote, by spreading love through prayer. The ministry, called Bethany Intercessors, has been led by Cherie Hughes for about a year. Members commit to praying for people who have passed away or are sick or suffering. Anyone can contact Cherie to ask for prayers for themselves, a friend, or a family member. The person need not be a Cathedral parishioner.

Not only is this a powerful way to offer up prayers for those in need, but it’s also a way to show hospitality to our fellow parishioners and the people for whom they care. Ministry members also pray for our parish, our priests, and all parishioners.

As part of her duties, Cherie sends out a monthly newsletter with the intentions of the Holy Father and a devotion. For July, the Holy Father asks for prayers for social friendship — “We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.” Cherie also uses the newsletter to provide any updates she has regarding those for whom the members have prayed.

“A lot of times we don’t know if our prayers were answered, and that’s okay,” Cherie says.

Cherie says ministry members were praying for one person who was told they had just a few months to live. As Cherie has since been informed, that person is cancer-free.

“There can be miracles when we pray and trust the Lord,” Cherie says. “He answers our prayers, just not always in the timeline we expect him to.”

Another benefit to this ministry is that it could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since everyone prays from home, this is a powerful ministry that could continue safely. With all the suffering and isolation, prayers were even more important during this time.

While the ministry members don’t typically gather, they participated in a retreat put on by Fr. Gary Kastl in March of this year.

“It’s amazing how we don’t all know each other, but it’s a way of feeling connected,” Cherie says. “You are doing something really good for our parish and community, in a small but important way. A lot of us want to do big things. This is a small and important thing.”

As Cherie says, this is an important way to build community across the cathedral. It also creates community with those for whom the members are praying.

If you would like to submit prayer requests, or to become part of this ministry, please email Cherie Hughes at cherie.hughes.25@outlook.com.

Cherie Hughes facilitates the Bethany Intercessors Ministry.