Michaela’s widower to talk on hope
THE widowed husband of murdered Michaela McAreavey is to give a talk on forgiveness and how his faith kept him going through the ordeal of losing his wife on their honeymoon.
Michaela, 27, was killed in January 2011 in the room of a hotel room she and husband John were staying at in Mauritius.
John McAreavey will reveal his personal journey of survival at Knock Shrine next month.
The 34-year- old, who found his childhood sweetheart dead in their hotel room, is taking part in a faith festival called Engaging The Heart on March 12 and 13.
It includes talks, workshops and a choral concert. The theme of the weekend is ‘forgiveness, hope, healing and reconciliation’.
It has been organised to celebrate Pope Francis’s Jubilee of Mercy.
Mr McAreavey will give his personal testimony at 11.45am on Saturday, March 12.
He is expected to talk about the faith, forgiveness, healing and hope he found after the tragic death of his beloved bride.
The murder of teacher Michaela – the daughter of legendary Tyrone GAA boss Mickey Harte – has never been solved. A high-profile murder trial took place but two hotel staff were acquitted.
Mr McAreavy is the co-founder of the Michaela Foundation, a youth-orientated charity that promotes wellbeing and faith through summer camps for girls.
It was revealed last year the broken-hearted widower was getting a second chance at happiness when he became engaged to accountant Tara Brennan, whom he met in 2013.