Life Stories

The following is a true life story of the witness of a member of our Fellowship

in the power of Jesus Christ to change a person's life

Testimony of Peter Reilly

Taken from "Cork Men Witnessing to Christ" by Donal and Jeanette Healy 1997

(with permission)

I met my wife Ann in Waterford City in 1963 and we were married in 1965. We came to live in Ballincollig in 1973. During this time we were both involved in the running of the home and family as well as community and voluntary work.

Both of us came from good Christian families. Prayer and the Mass were of great importance to us both. but at the same time so were the material things of the world.

Up to 1981 the material things somewhat dominated our lives. II was at this period in time that I became sick. It was diagnosed that I was suffering from acute depression

Our need was great at this particular stage in many ways we had everything we needed Yet there was a void in our lives and a restlessness

My depression created within me, and my wife Ann, a great poverty of mind and spirit. The things of the world had very little meaning at this time. We set off on a path of searching, looking for that "something" which would bring fulfillment

We became aware of a week of renewal which was organised by the People Of Hope, to be held in St. Augustine's Church. Ann and I attended nightly for a week.

We were both struck by the tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we witnessed. There was a great love, peace and joy among the leaders. We heard a priest speak at having a personal relationship with Jesus and of knowing him n a deeper personal way. He shared from scripture about baptism of the Holy Spirit. He said that Baptism in the Spirit was a religious experience that brings a new awareness of the power and love of the Lord active in one's life.

We both desired this deeper relationship with God, between ourselves and with our family. We felt that this would bring fulfillment of a greater spiritual nature within us

During the week of Renewal we spoke to many and listened as they shared with us how Jesus had changed their lives. Jesus was real to everyone we met with during the week of Renewal. We could see that they were committed to Him.

Our eyes and hearts were opened during that week. We were jolted out of our complacency. We now know Jesus to be our personal friend. Like any relationship this will deepen over the years ahead, with the help and inspiration of Jesus.

It is now fifteen years since our initial encounter Spirit at that week of Renewal. During this time we have been blessed, healed. Challenged, transformed and empowered by God's redeeming grace and power. This will, we hope and pray, continue as we journey on in our marriage.

Like Jesus, we come to the place of Resurrection through our crosses. The cross can make us bitter or better, the choice is ours.

The cross that Ann and I had at the time of the week of renewal was my acute depression.

However it has brought us to a stage where we can help others come through depression.

I was totally healed with prayer, medication and supportive prayer. Today I am counselling and helping others voluntarily and confidentially with this dreaded complaint. I am available to help sufferers in any way that I can. As a 'wounded' counsellor, I understand what a person is going through while in depression, because I can identify with the problem and so help the sufferer in a deeper way.

As a couple we have seen times when like to-like ministry and counseling is invaluable. What seemed to be the darkest time of our marriage has given us the greatest blessings. As we drew closer in our prayer life we were blessed beyond our imagination. We believe that, like kites, people committed to prayer can rise the highest when the storms of life are hardest.

We both see others come out of depression regularly. The joy of being instrumental, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in helping a person through depression is immeasurable.

We have found that as we were filled with the Holy Spirit, our relationship deepened and we got a greater and deeper appetite for prayer, Scripture, Mass and the Sacraments. We got a greater love of people and a new ability to serve others effectively.

For Ann and I, the key to Christian life is to be led by Jesus in our everyday walk of life. When confronted with decisions He helps us. Our own relationship and our relationship with our family has been tremendously blessed and enriched.

Prayer moves the hand that moves the world. Our advice is to tackle life's problems by trusting in God's promises.

God tells us: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb.13: 5).

Through our crosses we need to rely on God's promises and our faith will then grow strong. Jesus is always at our side as Saviour and helper.

May the Lord be with you as you read this.

back to: Index