WESTERLY — Freedom. Everyone wants it. But oftentimes, people become trapped within themselves, within their own addictions and negative thought patterns that weigh them down and keep them from freedom in Christ. In 2021, a group of men and women at St. Pius X in Westerly instituted a ministry called Unbound that helps set others free from these chains.
Sylvia Manfred, who provides spiritual counsel for Unbound, perfectly sums up the ministry’s purpose thusly: “Recognizing the God-given dignity of each person, Unbound Ministry is a safe, loving and effective model of prayer to free one from the shackles of hurts, wounds, shame and unforgiveness and guides one to an authentic experience with the Holy Spirit.”
The team is made up of both lay ministers and clergy and includes Father Raymond N. Suriani, pastor emeritus, St. Pius X, Westerly; Father Paul E. Desmarais, pastor of St. Mary, Carolina; Deacon Noel Edsall, diocesan director of the permanent diaconate and deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception, Cranston; Dorothea Edsall, Sylvia Manfred, Robin Blier, Christine Magowan, Carol Sullivan, Debra Carey and Paul Gencarella. Most came to the ministry through personal invitation by then-pastor Father Michael Najim. He learned about it during a conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio in 2019. Upon returning to the parish, he distributed several copies of Neil Lozano’s book “Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance” to a handful of parishioners whom he believed were called to begin this ministry.
“I would say that within two to three days, the books had been read, and the people involved said ‘Count me in, let’s do it!’” stated member Christine Magowan.
She explained that after agreeing to this calling, the core team attended conferences led by Lozano and his team for further training. “All of us had an opportunity while at the first conference to be ministered to as well. It was life-changing for all of us. Within a short space of time, less than two months a team had been formed, and we were committed to further study and training.”
According to Debra Carey, pastoral associate at St. Pius and the Unbound intake coordinator, the team trained together for two years before beginning the process of helping others. Much of this, unfortunately, took place during the pandemic and had to go to a virtual format.
“We have been praying together, supporting one another, and working to help others experience inner healing and the abundant mercy God has for them through these prayer sessions.”
Those in need learn about Unbound through parish bulletins, word of mouth and the Heart of the Father website —www.heartofthefather.com — which lists the St. Pius X chapter as an official team. Though Unbound ministries reach around the world, this is the only chapter in Rhode Island and one of the few in New England. For that reason, the team serves people from neighboring states like Massachusetts and Connecticut.
After a person contacts Unbound through the parish to complete the intake form, he or she is paired with a member called the lead. The team relies on guidance from the Holy Spirit to pair the recipient with the right lead. The lead then contacts the person for more in-depth information before meeting for a 60-90-minute session. During that session, two other members, chosen by the lead, pray for him or her as well as the person seeking healing.
“During these sessions, we listen to their own personal story in a confidential setting without judgement,” Carey said. “Our goal is to help people encounter the transformative grace of God in their lives.”
The path to spiritual freedom lies in the Five Keys: repentance and faith, forgiveness, renunciation, authority and Father’s blessing.
Obviously, the person seeking healing needs to begin by repenting of his or her sin and turning back to God. Forgiving those who have caused wounds breaks the bonds of resentment and bitterness.
The person will then, in the name of Jesus, renounce the lies that held them captive. The lead then prays that Christ might free this person from spiritual harm. The final step is when the lead stands to seek God’s blessing upon the recipient.
So many times, one person’s errant comment or flippant act toward another can cause deep trauma that remains internalized throughout the person’s life. Members of this ministry have experienced personal healing themselves through reading the book and following its Five Keys.
“Reading the book, Unbound, enables the reader to see how comments, people and events in the past have negatively affected thought patterns and beliefs,” Carol Sullivan told Rhode Island Catholic.
“Personally, practicing the Five Keys, along with the sacraments and prayer, has enabled me to be aware of these inaccuracies and diffuse them. I felt a heavy weight lifted off me even before my formal Unbound session just from reading the book and practicing the Five Keys myself.”
Receiving the sacraments frequently — especially Penance and the Holy Eucharist — and praying with and for each other holds team members accountable for each other “and that is actually our strength,” Carey stated.
Robin Blier spoke about the spiritual bond that the team members share with each other and with God. “The people involved are very open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, which helps us to listen to our recipients and … He comes and pours into us this gift of discernment and being able to listen to that person and those attacks…”
“It’s amazing to be in this ministry because we’re always connected through prayer. It doesn’t matter whether we see each other or not, we’re praying for each other.”
Carey notes that the “sacramental life prepares us for the spiritual battles we face,” but admits that “this transformation doesn’t happen overnight.” Conflicts and inner struggles continue to arise and build up within a person, leaving buried wounds that need to be healed. She utilized the Five Keys and “found freedom from the past and was equipped to live fully in the present moment.” Now she helps others do the same.
None of these humble men and women take credit for the healing received through Unbound. They give full credit to God alone.
Deacon Noel and Dorothea Edsall write: “It has been both a privilege and a gift to watch our Heavenly Father restore each of his beloved children to true freedom as we pray with and for them.”
To date, the team has served 31 individuals with three more preparing for upcoming sessions. Persons seeking healing through this ministry can contact the St. Pius X parish office 401-596-2535 ext. 3 or 4 or email at pa@stpxri.org. However, Carey recommends that these individuals read “Unbound,” or at least the first nine chapters, prior to taking that step. Unbound sessions are completely confidential, and efforts are made to ensure that a person of the same gender as the recipient is present as either the lead or an intercessor. Unbound is open to anyone, Catholic or not, seeking healing through God’s grace and mercy.
