Our young people (members of Gen Z and the younger “pandemic generation”) are the loneliest and most depressed generation on record. They also increasingly are identifying as the “nones”: 45% of those 18-25 are disaffiliated with any religion or Church. Using studies, scripture, and her own story, Susan focuses on introducing these generations to the Jesus they need: the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ the Healer. This is no trick: a cursory read of the gospels make clear that Jesus Christ evangelized first, and precisely, through healing others. Every request for healing, physical, mental, and spiritual, was met with an invitation to follow him–which most did, eagerly. Jesus Christ the Healer is the relational, hopeful, and meaningful way to the Father that breaks through the images that confuse a hurting generation, and saves and salves to our young people’s hearts.

Christ the Healer: the Jesus that Gen Zers (and the Rest of Us) Need. (for priests and consecrated, lay conferences, Catholic K-12 school faculty, women’s conferences, parish missions; adaptable to high school students/college students; keynote)