HUNTERSVILLE — Elza Spaedy, local author and sexual abuse survivor, released her latest book about healing after trauma at a special launch event Sept. 16 at St. Mark Church.
Spaedy’s second book, “Healed and Restored: A Journey Through Trauma, Resilience and Transformative Healing,” aims to help men and women who are trying to recover from a variety of deep emotional wounds.
This is “one trauma survivor’s way of trying to assist other hurting souls,” Spaedy says. “This book is definitely one that I wish I had come across when I was in my early 20s, when I realized what I had been through at eight years old.”
Spaedy says she was abused by someone posing as a family friend. She hopes other abuse survivors or those struggling under the weight of trauma will gain understanding from her book and in pondering reflective questions in each chapter. She believes readers will also come to see how traumatic events may have a substantial impact in many areas of their lives.
“The things that I discuss in the book helped me heal and I hope help someone else,” she explains. “I talk about carrying shame and dealing with mental illness. Because I walked that walk, I can talk that talk.”
Spaedy also hopes the book will help people who may not have experienced trauma but would like insight “so that they can walk with others who have.”
Proceeds from the book benefit Spaedy’s nonprofit Healed and Restored ministry, a free, residential, faith-based program that provides counseling and therapy to help women recover from physical and sexual abuse, including sex trafficking.
“By the grace of God, the ministry has been growing,” Spaedy says. “We’re now able to pay for women to receive professional counseling from Catholic mental health professionals in the area.”
One goal of the ministry is to build a 10-bed facility for women. Spaedy and the ministry board of directors are looking for a donor to provide land so that fundraising can begin for a future permanent home for the ministry.
“As adults,” Spaedy says, “many of us are awakening to our traumas and, consequently, to the need to find healing and restoration. Healing happens not only internally, but also in communal sharing. That means when we share our stories, they have the power to inspire and give others hope.”
— SueAnn Howell
For more info
For more information about Healed and Restored ministry, to RSVP for the Sept. 16 book launch event, or to order Spaedy’s new book, go online to www.healedandrestored.org. Questions? Contact Elza Spaedy directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ukrainian women seeking asylum in the United States wait in line to board a bus outside a shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, April 22, 2022. The Vatican has released Pope Francis' message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be marked Sept. 25 at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Jorge Duenes, Reuters)On Sept. 25, the Church will celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees,” a theme chosen by Pope Francis that he said “highlights the commitment that we are all called to share in building a future that embraces God’s plan, leaving no one behind.”
The pope’s message for this day explores how migrants and refugees contribute to the social, economic, cultural and spiritual development of societies and ecclesial communities.
Read his full message online at www.migrants-refugees.va/world-day-of-migrants-refugees.
Also, find resources on welcoming immigrants and refugees on the website for Justice for Immigrants (www.justiceforimmigrants.org/home/about-us) and the website for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (www.cliniclegal.org/issues), both founded and supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
— Joe Purello
‘With God all things are possible”
STATESVILLE — Overcoming obstacles brought on by the pandemic and the economy, St. Philip the Apostle Parish is moving forward with plans to build a new Activity and Education Center, with hopes of beginning the project in spring of 2023.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the parish will host a gala and auction in the social hall to help the church meet rising construction costs after parishioners and donors initially pledged $2.5 million in 2019, when the project was paused due to COVID-19.
Schematic plans and financial projections are going through final reviews, but the church is working with the diocese to consider a campaign to raise roughly $1 million more.
“With God all things are possible,” said Father Thomas Kessler, pastor. “We need to raise more funds. We will build what we need and can afford. The new center must be done soon, because the old facility lacks proper heat and air conditioning, and the roof is in very bad condition.”
Plans call for an 8,250-square-foot building with classrooms for meetings and faith formation, parish offices and a large gathering space for events and fellowship.
Also planned is an outdoor plaza linking the church’s social hall, completed in 2019, with the new Activity and Education Center. The total investment in the two buildings is expected to be about $6 million.
St. Philip’s location in Statesville, just south of Interstate 40 and visible from Interstate 77, makes it a convenient destination for gatherings and events.
“The diocese has reached out to us to hold events here for things such as Protecting God’s Children trainings and Tribunal meetings,” Father Kessler said. “We also hope to be able to host more meetings for the larger Church community in the new facility.”
Parishioners will get an opportunity to review schematic designs and offer feedback in coming weeks, once the parish’s Building and Planning Committee completes its review and preliminary cost estimates.
“The people and leadership of St. Philip are going to complete this project despite headwinds that might deter other churches and organizations,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development. “It’s a real testament to their commitment and extraordinary generosity in helping their parish family learn and live out their faith.”
Father Kessler encourages parishioners to “pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the success of this endeavor.”
— SueAnn Howell
How to give
- Mail: Checks can be made out to St. Philip the Apostle Church. Please put ‘Forward With Christ’ in the memo line. Mail to the church at 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, N.C. 28677
- Online: Go to www.faithdirect.net, click ‘Give Now,” and use church code: NC1000