Do you believe in miracles? Father Stefan Starzynski does. They happen all the time when he’s around. Father Stefan is best known for founding the Paul Stefan Home for pregnant women in need of support; his book, Miracles: Healing for a Broken World; and his healing Masses.
Father Stefan and I have crossed paths occasionally in the past, but the first time we had a chance to chat in depth was last winter. It happened to be the day he got the Lithuanian edition of Miracles, so we talked about writing, and I downloaded the book when I got home.
I found myself reading Miracles this week while I was at the doctor’s office. Maybe it was 
because I was a little stressed about the appointment, but I found myself a bit annoyed with Father Stefan. It seemed like nothing but miracles happen around him. He prays over a baby, poof! The child is healed. He asks for a diamond ring, poof! It’s like they fall out of the sky. He wants a different car, poof! There it is. I don’t know about you, but those sorts of things don’t seem to happen in my life.
Then I stopped and thought. I experienced what an expert said had to be a prayer-powered healing after retina surgery in 2008. I’m great friends today with someone who by her own admission hated me a year ago. Five years after my divorce, I’m collegial enough with my ex to have sent him a card and gift for his birthday, which happens to be today.
Miracles? I guess it depends on your perspective. Thanks, Father Stefan, for sharing your experiences so that I could better see the miracles in my own.
Father Stefan sounds like a fascinating man. And blessed with the gifts of healing and miracles. Inspiring.