Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday PENTECOSTPublication of the National Service Committee of the CatholicToday Charismatic Renewal

God’sGod’s MercyMercy throughthrough MiraclesMiracles Dr.Dr. MaryMary HealyHealy

TheThe GazeGaze ofof MercyMercy TomTom ManganMangan

YearYear ofof JubileeJubilee 20172017 WalterWalter MatthewsMatthews

TheThe ParishParish andand thethe HolyHoly SpiritSpirit DaveDave VanVickleVanVickle

TowardToward thethe JubileeJubilee UpdateUpdate

TheThe ChallengeChallenge ofof HealthyHealthy GrowthGrowth CharlesCharles WhiteheadWhitehead

PavleMarjanovic/Shutterstock.com New life in Christ Jesus through the power of the Chairman’s Editor’s

Corner Desk

○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ by Johnny Bertucci by Sr. Mary Anne In response to Blessed Elena Guerra’s Schaenzer, SSND first letter, Leo XIII published Provida Matris Caritate, in which he In Cardinal Suenens’ book, A New Pente- asked the entire Church to celebrate a cost?, there is a section title on p 111, A solemn novena to the Holy Spirit each CURRENT OF GRACE, in which he likened Char- year between the feasts of the Ascen- ismatic Renewal to “a high voltage cur- sion and Pentecost. rent of grace which is coursing through is not over! the Church.” “Pentecost is not over. In fact it is con- In her ninth letter to Pope Leo XIII, Blessed Elena Guerra (p 2) was inspired tinually going on in every time and in Elena begged the Pope to place the new to write several letters to Pope Leo XIII calling for renewed preaching on the Holy every place, because the Holy Spirit de- century under the sign of the Holy Spirit. She asked that the new century Spirit. Did she experience this current of sired to give Himself to all men... and all grace? who want Him can always receive Him, begin with the hymn Veni Creator Spiri- so we do not have to envy the Apostles and tus to be sung at the beginning of the Dr. Mary Healy (pp 3, 12) writes of her ex- the first believers; we only have to dispose Mass of the first day of the new year. perience with the charism of healing—ex- periencing the current of grace in a deep- ourselves like them to receive Him well... ened way. and He will come to us as He did to them.” Recently, I had the privilege of visiting — Blessed Elena Guerra the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in The School of the Holy Spirit at The Ark Brazil and meeting Fr. Eduardo Braga, and The Dove (p 11) was a time of training for young adults learning to cooperate lessed Elena Guerra was an Italian vice of the cause of Blessed Elena Guerra. I accepted from Fr. with the current of grace poured out by the who founded a religious or- Holy Spirit. The NSC’s Toward the Jubilee der called the Oblate Sisters of Eduardo, on behalf of The Ark and Campaign (p 10) exists in order to fund B The Dove, a first class relic of Blessed the future, to ensure that the current of the Holy Spirit. She was the first per- son beatified by Pope John XXIII who Elena Guerra. grace has people to be conduits. called her “the Apostle of the Holy Through the intercession of Blessed Charles Whitehead (p 15) writes of how Spirit.” Blessed Elena wrote a number this current of grace stirs up the process of Elena Guerra, may we experience a New establishing new ways of working together of confidential letters to Pope Leo XIII ◆ between 1895 and 1903 calling for re- Pentecost for the New Evangelization. among the generations. newed preaching on the Holy Spirit, Johnny Bertucci is Chairman of the When you read Dave VanVickle’s article “who is the one who forms the .” National Service Committee. (pp 8-9) regarding his team experience of bringing Life in the Spirit Seminars to a parish, you may want to think of that cur- rent of grace. After you read Walter’s refer- ence (p 14) to the renewed parish in Fan- PENTECOSTToday For Your Information ning the Flame, you might intercede for Volume 41 Number 4 The mission of Pentecost Today is to that current of grace. serve and be a voice for the National Executive Director Service Committee’s mission “to foster There is a tension or paradox between the Walter Matthews the dynamic grace of baptism in the expressions of a “high voltage current of Editorial Board Holy Spirit.” We do this by publishing grace” and the prayer, “You reveal your articles that instruct and give practical Jimmy Archer power above all in your mercy and forgive- wisdom, with a particular emphasis on Tom Mangan ness” (p 4). Tammie Stevens strengthening leaders and leader for- mation, in a visually appealing and in- Editor The current of grace is and will be flowing Sr. Mary Anne Schaenzer, SSND viting format. in the upcoming Year of Jubilee of the Re- Production Manager Jean Beers A limited amount of advertising space is newal (pp 6-7). It is not just a time to look available. For information call Jean Beers, back but a time to be recharged and to © 2016 National Service Committee (360) 730-1740. Advertisements for look forward. of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal events not sponsored by the National of the United States, Inc. Not to be re- Service Committee do not imply endorse- Current of grace: I thought it was like flow- produced without permission. ment by the NSC/Chariscenter USA. ing water. I learned it is voltage! ◆

2 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org MISSION IN MERCY

God shouted enthusiastically. “Then are you MANIFESTS willing to be seriously inconvenienced for the rest of your life?” There was some nervous laughter before everyone said his “Yes!” again.

I’ve found his words to be true. I be- MERCY lieve all Christians can see healings if we learn to pray with expectant faith. through But if people think you have a gift The Lord has been leading for healing, they may call or email me… to understand… how you at inconvenient times. At a con- MIRACLES much he desires to do signs, ference or prayer meeting you may wonders and miracles find a long line of people waiting for through ordinary people. prayer, and as you get toward the end by Dr. Mary Healy you find it has only grown longer. You may be the last person to leave at night. or most of my life I have been come near to you’” (Lk 10:9; also see But it is all worth it when you see the accustomed to praying over Mk 16:17-18). amazement and joy in a person healed Fpeople at prayer meetings and by the Lord. in other settings. Occasionally I would I’ve become convinced that God wants see a slight improvement such as a per- a far greater manifestation of his heal- Like natural gifts, the supernatural gifts son with a headache or stomachache ing power in the — grow with practice. As we take risks in feeling better. But in the past four or not as something novel and marginal, faith the Lord shows his faithfulness. five years the Lord has been leading me but as a restoration of something that is One of the first times that I practiced on a journey to understand more about at the heart of our tradition. The su- using words of knowledge at a prayer his healing power and how much he pernatural gifts of the Spirit are part of meeting, I received in prayer only a desires to do signs, wonders and our inheritance as baptized believers. slight impression of some specific miracles through ordinary people. They are the normal equipment that healings. I wasn’t sure if it was the Lord Christ has bestowed on his bride the or only my thoughts, but I decided to In the fall of 2013 I had a sabbatical Church for carrying out her evangelis- step out in faith. After our time of wor- semester—a time for focused research tic mission. The use of these gifts tan- ship I said, “I think there is a man here in a particular area—and decided to gibly manifests God’s mercy to those who has a skin condition and is also study healing, not only by reading who are in need of it, especially to the experiencing same-sex attraction; the about it in books but by seeing it in spiritual orphans who surround us in Lord wants to heal both of these things. action. During that time I went, along today’s society. I think there is a woman who has spent with a team, on a two-week mission in time in jail and is ashamed of that. The Brazil. There we saw miracles day after The gifts are not for our sake but for Lord is taking away your shame and day—people with tumors, crippling those whom God wants to touch wants to use you to minister to other arthritis, blindness, deafness and many through us. When Damian Stayne, a women in jail. I also think there is other conditions miraculously healed Catholic healing evangelist from En- someone here with pain in your left by the Lord. That mission was life- gland, gave a weekend conference at my ankle. The Lord is going to heal it. I changing, and since then I’ve been seek- parish, I was struck by the challenge won’t ask you to identify yourselves, ing to put into practice what Jesus told he gave to our prayer ministry team. but if one of these words applies to you, his disciples to do: “heal the sick… and “Do you want to be used by God for come and let me know afterwards if say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has healing?” he asked. “Yes!” everyone you’d like.” See Miracles page 12

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 3 VISION DIMENSION

The Gaze of Mercy Mercy goes beyond words.

by Tom Mangan

read spiritual books in order to know God better. As But there is more. He doesn’t simply extend mercy, but as it says in 6:3, “Let us know; let us press on to the author says, he looks lovingly through Jesus to us with know the Lord.” Recently I read Fr. Raniero a gaze of mercy. The Father doesn’t dispense it from afar, Cantalamessa’s The Gaze of Mercy and I met God! It’s but directly to us from his Son. notI often that a book strikes me in that way, but I gained an understanding of the Father’s dazzling personality that To Fr. Cantalamessa the ultimate expression of God’s mercy affected me deeply. His love is unprecedented; he delights is the Incarnation. He is overwhelmed that Jesus would in having mercy. vacate heaven for earth; that he would take on human flesh and fully (except in sin) identify with us. As it says in I look at the parables now in a new light. “The Lost Sheep,” Philippians 2:6-8: “The Lost Coin” and “The Lost Son” aren’t sentimental moralizing stories, but rather lessons of redemption that “Who, being in very nature God, reveal a Father who is “a God of too-much giving, a seventy did not consider equality times seven God!” with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, In 7:8 we read, “Who is like thee, pardoning iniq- taking the very nature of a servant, uity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his being made in human likeness. inheritance?” This humbles me; I am brought low and I And being found in appearance as a man, want to know more of him. he humbled himself and became obedient to death- In the Mass for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time we even death on a cross!” pray, “You reveal your power above all in your mercy and forgiveness.” Amazingly, by virtue of the Incarnation of As I understand it, the author is saying Jesus would rather Christ Jesus, in bending low to us in mercy, he expresses identify himself as the Son of Man than the Son of God, his great strength. The Incarnation has given us an incred- thus encouraging us in our human frailty to drink deep ible opportunity to really come to know him profoundly. from the well of God’s mercy!

Fr. Cantalamessa refers to this action as “divine condescen- In Fr. Cantalamessa’s eyes mercy is personal. Rather than sion,” a term coined by the Eastern Church to denote kenosis presenting mercy as a theological concept to be parsed and

PavleMarjanovic/Shutterstock.com (from the Greek) a self-emptying of his will in order to be discussed, in his hands it becomes something manifest, receptive to the Father’s will. something that is lived out, demonstrated as it was in the

4 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org life and actions of Christ. Jesus doesn’t just extend mercy; grossly one-sided as it denies his justice as well as his be- he looks upon others with mercy. As with Peter and nevolence. Zacchaeus, his very countenance exudes mercy. It takes intellectual honesty to balance mercy with justice After Peter’s denial in Luke 22, we read in verse 61, “And and the author does it with dexterity. Without justice we the Lord turned and looked at Peter” with what probably have the heresy of “universalism,” that all human beings was a loving gaze, a gaze that would drive him to repen- will eventually be saved and without mercy we have cal- tance and not to despair. In those eyes, Peter saw not only lous legalism or strict adherence to the law. Fortunately, the seriousness of his betrayal, but also the compassion he Jesus is a kind Master and we are in good hands with him. didn’t deserve. What he does with us will depend upon our response to his “glance of mercy!” Could we have any better response Zacchaeus is a further example of “the look” that would than to give it away? Mercy is a gift to be shared freely by cause a person to reform his life. He just had to see Jesus, those who have been its recipients. so he climbed a tree. He wasn’t to be denied. When their eyes met, the result was pure mercy. This makes the Sacrament of Reconciliation inviting. There- fore, approaching the confessional with sorrowful repen- In Luke 19:5 Jesus says, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, tance, we should expect to see “the gaze of mercy,” so as to for I must stay at your house today.” A gaze, a meal to- leave with gratitude and acceptance. In the words of Pope gether, repentance and restoration was the order of the day Francis, “Mercy is the bridge that connects God and man, for this sinner. Mercy invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house. opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever de- spite our sinfulness.” It’s easy for one to get caught up in the word pictures that Fr. Cantalamessa paints about “the gaze.” They capture the Fr. Cantalamessa’s book is providential in that it under- essence of Jesus’ demeanor. To those intimate with him, words scores Pope Francis’ call for the “Jubilee Year of Mercy.” are so unnecessary, a mere look or gesture is sufficient for a How perfectly fitting! It so complements his call to mercy loving response. Mercy goes beyond words. by providing an understanding of how mercy should rightly operate in the life of the Church. This book would be incomplete if it didn’t cover justice, the flip side of mercy. As I heard someone once say, “Mercy The Gaze of Mercy is not a book to be tossed aside lightly, is not meant to be a loophole to drive a trainload of sin but rather one that deserves thoughtful consideration. There through.” Mercy, like love, is one of those words in our is so much more to this book than can be covered here. vocabulary that can become “shop-worn.” The effort we put forth in reading this volume will be re- warded. It will improve our knowledge of God, encourage Fr. Cantalamessa painstakingly makes clear that mercy is deeper intimacy and move us spiritually. first a gift. It is hesed, a Hebrew word that in the past was The steadfast love of the Lord often translated “mercy” but is larger, more like covenant never ceases, love or faithful love. God’s mercy precedes mankind’s sin. his mercies never come to an end; In the story of Zacchaeus Jesus does not “require the five they are new every morning; conditions that are normally demanded to obtain the re- great is your faithfulness. mission of sin: examination of conscience, repentance, a –Lamentations 3:22 ◆ firm resolve not to sin again, a confession of sin, and pen- ance” (p39). Zacchaeus is transformed by Jesus’ love, by his encounter with mercy. So too are we as we turn to ask, Tom Mangan is a member of the National Service to seek, to humble ourselves. Committee and founding member and former Over- all Coordinator of the People of God Community in The French philosopher, Voltaire, famously said, “God will Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. forgive me because that’s what he does.” This presumption is preposterous and misrepresents God’s goodness. It is

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 5 TOWARD THE JUBILEE

YEAR OF JUBILEE 2017

by Walter Matthews and in turn to proclaim Jesus to others, “to show n preparation for the 50th Anni- mercy” (Pope Francis) by our lives and actions. versary Jubilee celebration of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit in February, A Short History I After the Weekend at The Ark and The Dove 1967, the 5-Year Committee of the National Leadership Groups of the Catholic Charismatic Retreat Center in 1967 the experience of bap- Renewal in the U.S. has issued a Year of Jubilee tism in the Holy Spirit spread rapidly and 5-Year Committee Statement that begins with an invitation to re- worldwide. Without structure, the current of of the National Leadership Groups joice in the tradition of jubilees and in expecta- grace was first shared by American missionaries of the Catholic tion that it may well be an “extraordinary time working in foreign countries, and then by the Charismatic Renewal of grace,” a “year of the Lord’s favor.” The State- natural back-and-forth among immigrant people. in the U.S. ment has five parts: Jubilee, a Short History, In the late 1960’s, Puerto Rico and Colombia Fruits of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, What We became centers from which this current of grace Have Learned, and Going Forward. What fol- washed all of America. Today there are lows is a shortened and somewhat edited ver- millions of people there who have experienced sion of the Statement. The full Statement is baptism in the Spirit. Not long after, the cur- available on the NSC website. rent of grace reached the shores of Africa; and Year of Jubilee the Catholic countries of Asia and the Philip- Statement Jubilee pines; and Europe. Begins with an Part One begins with a quick review of the ori- invitation to rejoice gins of jubilees both in the Old Testament and In the 1970’s, the Renewal grew fast and wide. in the tradition of in the Church. The key Biblical texts are from Thousands of people attended large conferences jubilees and in Leviticus 25, 61 and Luke 4. When our across the country. From the fast growth of the expectation that it Lord stood in the Synagogue in Nazareth and experience, organizations, national committees, may well be an quoted Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon renewal centers and houses of prayer were formed. “extraordinary time of me” and ended with “This text is being ful- grace,” a “year of the Later in the 1990s, various ethnic groups be- Lord’s favor.” filled today” he brought together in his person gan to form their own leadership committees. the emphases of social justice and personal and ● Jubilee communal conversion and forgiveness contained Aware that the experience of baptism in the ● Short History in the Old Testament texts. “He personifies the Spirit was growing throughout the entire ● Fruits of Baptism Jubilee,” as one author put it. Authentic jubi- Church, efforts were made in the ‘70s to net- in the Holy Spirit, lee spirituality cannot be found apart from the work on an international basis. With the assis- ● What We Have person of Jesus Christ. tance of Cardinal Leon Suenens of Belgium, a Learned charismatic gathering was held in in 1975 ● Going Forward. Nor can it be found apart from life in the Spirit including a celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica begun in Baptism and renewed in “baptism in where Pope Paul VI called the Charismatic Re- the Holy Spirit.” The recovery of Pentecost is newal a “chance for the Church.” By 1976, an an experience of jubilee: of freedom from the international office for the Renewal was set up bondage of sins into the marvelous light of be- in Brussels which later moved to Rome and was ing sons and daughters of a loving Father; of renamed the International Catholic Charismatic empowerment to live in the power of the Spirit Renewal Services (ICCRS).

6 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org Prayer Card The current of grace does not exist only What We Have Learned in the Catholic Church. Many ecu- In the Statement we list seven impor-  menical charismatic prayer services tant things we have learned and need have been held over the years, along to remember and apply. Here are three with actions and prayer for unity. Be- of them: As we conclude this sides Catholic Charismatic Renewal Jubilee Year of Mercy: and the ecumenical covenant commu- ◆ Catholic Charismatic Renewal nities, other Catholics experience and needs to understand itself as both a We will sing of your mercies, promote baptism in the Spirit. “current of grace” and “an ecclesial O Lord, forever; our mouths will proclaim your Fruits of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit movement”: Be open to both special faithfulness to all generations! Of many fruits we highlight four: outpourings of grace (revival graces), change of life, relationships, commu- and step-by-step building with the For your merciful love was nities and mission. Lord led by the Holy Spirit. The whole movement is a “charism” for the established forever, your faithfulness is firm as From the beginning, lives began to Church. the heavens. change and love began to grow. Bap- ◆ tism in the Holy Spirit is a call to re- We need an “experience” of bap- May we, your people, forever ceive the Father’s love and for individu- tism in the Spirit, but also a “lifestyle” receive your mercy and als to enter into a personal relationship in the Spirit: Pope Francis has con- extend your mercy to with Jesus and to become disciples. firmed that baptism in the Spirit is the ends of the earth! With this infusion of grace, individu- meant for the whole Church. We seek Amen! als began to be transformed and with to be a reminder in the Church of the that the motivation and the ability to “full role” of the Holy Spirit (union (inspired by Psalm 89:1-2) ✃ love has increased. with God; transformation for holiness; ministry empowered by the charisms; The second fruit followed: people who building community). Our relationship had been touched by this grace began with the Holy Spirit should influence to gather in prayer groups, communi- every part of our lives. ties, and associations to share their lives and experience. Prayer, praise and wor- ◆ We need the full, mature, and dis- First, pray and work for unity—unity ship together became a hallmark and a cerned use of the charisms (spiritual in all our relationships, especially those fruit of renewal. gifts): Some of our groups show little in the Renewal, and unity in the Body use of the charisms, and in other places, of Christ. A third fruit was the formation of com- the gifts do not come under enough munities of love and support. Baptism community discernment. We need to Second, the Renewal in the U.S. is ex- in the Spirit has produced opportuni- understand how charisms are to be part periencing the challenge of passing on ties to grow in a love that embraces of our daily life and parish life. the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit unity with diversity. One important to the next generations. However, there element of this fruit has been an ecu- Going Forward is hope. We are becoming aware of a menical impulse. As we eagerly await the “surprises of number of pockets of young adults, evan- the Spirit” that will unfold in our first gelized and baptized in the Holy Spirit Finally, baptism in the Holy Spirit has Jubilee Year and beyond, here are four who are connecting through various out- brought with it a missionary impulse. areas in which we need to make every reaches and through social media. The Holy Spirit has poured out effort to cooperate with the Spirit in charisms in abundance to build the moving forward. None is new; all re- Church and to evangelize the world. quire our attention and prayer. See Jubilee page 11

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 7 CHARISMATIC RENEWAL

Please pray with the National Service Committee for the God is not following intentions: far off but is ready and 1. That our parishes and communi- waiting to ties would experience fuller “life in the Spirit” as they hear testimonies of the work mercy of God and the transforming personally power of the Holy Spirit. and powerfully 2. For all the ministries that equip the in their faithful to pray with others for heal- ing, that the fruit of this equipping will lives. be countless demonstrations of the merciful love of Jesus restoring health in body, mind and spirit. The Parish and the Holy Spirit 3. For the Mission in Mercy to be manifest in all NSC sponsored by Dave VanVickle events: at the Leaders’ & Ministries’ Conference in Atlanta on Nov 4-6, and the 50th Anniversary Jubilee Confer- bout 2 years ago a young priest lightful stress when we are calling

✁ ence, July 20-23, 2017 in Pittsburgh. in my local diocese asked me to prayer groups from all over the tri-state help him lead the Life in the area to send prayer teams to meet the 4. That the younger generation of A Spirit Seminar at the parish at which demand. It seems the Life in the Spirit leaders in the Renewal will receive all the encouragement and support he was stationed. He had recently re- Seminar and charismatic evangelization they need to extend the “grace of Pen- discovered the beauty of spirituality outreaches are in great demand once tecost” in creative ways to reach more with renewal in which he was raised again. Pastors who have hosted the Life and more people who are searching and was anxious to introduce it to oth- in the Spirit Seminar report dramatic for meaning in our troubled world. ers. I have to admit that I was not ex- results of engaged parishioners, re- cited at all. I love the Life in the Spirit newed ministries and, of course, a Seminar and have led thousands of myriad of new evangelization out- people through it but in the last sev- reaches. eral years it has been mostly small groups of elderly saintly women who We really should not be surprised. The Support the NSC and have been through it before but attend average Catholic parish is in crisis. They once a year anyway. are struggling to reach their parishio- Pentecost Today ners and struggling further to convey To my surprise the first seminar we put to them the life changing message of a Pentecost Today and the National on together had over ninety people life with Jesus as Lord empowered by Service Committee are supported from all ages and backgrounds. Word the Holy Spirit. Numbers are dwindling by gifts from generous people like spread and shortly after that we did each week. Catholics I meet across the you. A gift of $25 allows us to send another one, only this time we had country feel helpless to respond to the 10 copies of Pentecost Today to a about one hundred and fifty partici- spiritual and emotional needs of their prayer group, church or community families. A recent survey said that many library. Your gift of $35, $10 or $15 pants, again from all demographics but helps the NSC share the baptism in mostly young professionals. We went people just do not believe in miracles the Spirit with even more people to a different parish and this time we anymore. This all leads people to sense across the nation. showed up to over four hundred par- a lack of potency in the Gospel and in ticipants and this seems to be the on- the Faith. In short, people are desper- Could you consider a gift today? going theme as we continue to work ate for grace and power. Thankfully, the Visit our website together. Holy Spirit loves desperation. When we www.nsc-chariscenter.org turn the needs and insatiable desires to make a secure online donation. Each seminar is attracting hundreds of of parishioners into requests for God participants. You can imagine our de- to respond, he always does.

8 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org around the country are having amaz- CCD you are going to hear the People are hungry ing success in evangelization with pro- kerygma. We also have many parishio- for something real. grams like Christ Life, Alpha and many ners who have been trained and are others. People are hungry for something ready to give their testimony. If you This is why I believe baptism in the real. These programs are not necessar- are an evangelization volunteer it Holy Spirit to be a lynch pin for par- ily powerful because of their specific doesn’t matter if you work in the ish evangelization in the United States. content. They are powerful because kitchen or are on clean up crew you Think about the most common out- they open people up to the idea that will learn how to give your testimony. comes of being baptized in the Spirit. God is not far off but is ready and wait- We offer opportunities year round to Some people manifest authentic ing to work personally and powerfully be prayed with by fellow parishioners charisms but almost everyone reports in their lives. Believe it or not to most at Nights of Worship or different re- a profound conviction of the spirit of Catholics this is a revolutionary idea! treats. Probably the most important adoption, an insatiable thirst for prayer, factor to all of this is that we have a a deep desire to read Scripture, a sense It isn’t hard to open up your parish to pastor who passionately believes in the of the spiritual battle raging, the con- the power of the Holy Spirit but you importance of baptism in the Holy fidence to share their faith, and a new have to be patient. I have been work- Spirit. We need to pray daily for our and lively experience of the sacraments. ing on this for five years at St. priests to be set on fire. Our pastor These characteristics are exactly what Parish in the Pittsburgh speaks regularly about evangelization people are reporting back to us after Diocese and we are finally seeing real in homilies and various presentations. going through the seminar. fruit. People’s lives are being changed Evangelization is where your parishio- and set on fire. It started by making ners will learn to cooperate with the The Life in the Spirit Seminar isn’t the our parish a place where the kerygma life of the Spirit. ◆ only program that is reaching parish- or basic gospel message was proclaimed ioners and introducing them to the constantly. It doesn’t matter if you Dave VanVickle is the Young Adult Coordi- power of the Holy Spirit. Parishes come to a meeting for Confirmation or nator for the National Service Committee.

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 9 STRENGTHENING THE RENEWAL

UPDATE

Toward the Jubilee—50 Years of Grace for the New Evangelization UPDATE

To better serve the Church and move toward the 2017 anniversary of the Duquesne weekend, the The Ark and the Dove, home of the Duquesne NSC’s Toward the Jubilee Campaign seeks to raise $1 million weekend retreat and the outpouring of the Holy with two goals in mind: Spirit on retreatants in 1967 that spread like wildfire across the country and the world. ● Expand Spirit-filled events and electronic outreach to newer audiences—particularly youth and young adults.

● Strengthen the long-term financial stability of the NSC through the Third Millennium Fund for the New Evangelization.

You’ve helped the NSC surpass the $400,000 mark toward our goal of $1 million! Dave VanVickle

● Your support helped the NSC hire Dave VanVickle as a Young Adult Coordinator. He’s on an ambitious journey to Please pray for the success help young people encounter the power of the Holy Spirit of the Campaign and con- across the nation. sider making a gift—over your regular giving to the Your encouragement builds up the Third Millennium Fund and NSC—to foster new life in enabled the NSC to be a lead partner in acquiring The Ark and the Spirit for all as we jour- The Dove this past year. ney toward the Jubilee.

As a next step, would you consider financially supporting You can start by this move of the Spirit and invite others to join? visiting the website www.nsc-chariscenter.org.

10 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org Young Adult

Ministry ○○○○○○○○○○ by Dave VanVickle Coordinator

Spirit in ministry, leadership and evan- gelization. We heard excellent presen- tations from Bishop Sam Jacobs, Fr. Dave Pivonka, Teresa Riggins and John Beaulieu. There was plenty of time for the attendees to ask questions and dis- cuss issues with these seasoned veter- ans of the Renewal. photo: Tammie Stevens photo: Tammie On Saturday evening we traveled to a nearby parish to do some ministry. There we had a wonderful night of The School of the Holy Spirit worship with around one hundred and fifty people attending from all over the at The Ark and The Dove diocese. The young adults who at- tended the training formed prayer teams and prayed for the needs of any- ast month we were blessed to host about twenty young adults from across one who came to them. Fr. Pivonka the country at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center in Pittsburgh. It delivered an inspiring message and was an incredible experience worshipping with all these on-fire young L Bishop Jacobs led us in a powerful in- adults in the Chapel where the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred during ner healing session. It was a wonderful the Duquesne Weekend. We took an entire weekend for what we called, “The evening and I am still receiving great School of the Holy Spirit” a dynamic training for cooperating with the Holy feedback from those who attended.

Jubilee from page 7 I was most impressed with the young adults who attended. Looking at these Third, we must accept that the Re- God which proclaims that Jesus is people I have great confidence that the newal is already demonstrating new alive and loves all men (2014).” Renewal will be alive and well in our forms of being together and that this generation and those to come. These trend will continue. Our task is to con- Let us give thanks to the Lord for this were young people who were totally tinue to “share with all, in the Church, great outpouring of the Holy Spirit and convicted and living in the power of the grace of Baptism in the Holy “let us implore from God the grace of the Holy Spirit. They will all go back Spirit” (2014) regardless of forms and a new Pentecost for the Church in to their homes and continue to spread structures. America.” (Pope Benedict XVI St. the Kingdom, hopefully even more Patrick Cathedral 2008). If we do, we empowered and open to the work of Finally, the outpouring of the Holy will see in the next fifty years an even the Holy Spirit. Please continue to pray ◆ Spirit is oriented outward to the New greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit. for the Young Adult Outreach of the Evangelization. It is not possible to National Service Committee. Come evangelize effectively without the Walter Matthews is Execu- Holy Spirit! ◆ power of the Holy Spirit. Pope tive Director of the Na- Francis has directed us in the Re- tional Service Committee. newal in this way: “I expect from you an evangelization with the Word of

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 11 Friends of the NSC LEAFLETS We give thanks to Fr. Ted Nekoliczak, to attend the upcoming National Lead- for the longtime leader in the Nebraska Re- ers’ and Ministries’ Conference in At- newal and a donor who included us lanta. You can donate online or by mail JUBILEE in his will. May he rest in peace. (just make your check’s memo “YAS”) and or give us a call. Last year we sup- Just the other day, we heard of an- ported nearly 80 young adults in some LIFE IN THE SPIRIT other donor who included us in her way to attend. will. May she rest in peace. SEMINARS TOWARD THE JUBILEE Please prayerfully consider including In mid-September, we held a Cam- still available. us in your will. It is a way that we can paign Luncheon in Ann Arbor, Michi- support the passing on of this grace gan with 45 attendees. A talk was of renewal in the Holy Spirit to new given on the Renewal’s History and Go to the NSC website for a generations. Purpose as well as about the new ini- complete listing of titles. tiatives of The Ark and The Dove and Visit nsc-chariscenter.org or Our official title is the National Ser- the Young Adult Coordinator’s work. vice Committee of the Catholic Char- About $12,000 in gifts and pledges call ismatic Renewal of the U.S., Inc. were raised. We are grateful to those who came and those who gave. If you 1-800-338-2445 YOUNG ADULT SCHOLARSHIPS would like to sponsor a Campaign Again this year we are raising money Event in your area please contact us. in support of enabling young adults

Miracles from page 3

After the prayer meeting, not one but coffee bar. I shared with her a little early decades God raised up people two men came to me separately. Both about the conference, which was on the with extraordinary healing gifts such had a skin condition and same-sex at- Holy Spirit. She told me she was as Fr. Emiliano Tardif, Fr. Ralph traction, and in both cases the word Catholic but had stopped going to DiOrio, and Sr. Briege McKenna. had greatly stirred up their faith that church because she was a single mom They are pioneers who have cleared a they would be healed. And not one but living with her boyfriend. As I shared path and helped Catholics realize what two women came to me separately; both with her about God’s love, it was evi- is possible. But now Jesus is calling all told they had been in jail, and one said dent that she missed having a connec- his disciples to proclaim the gospel with the word confirmed her sense that the tion with God. I asked her if she had great faith that God will accompany Lord was calling her to jail ministry. pain anywhere in her body and ex- our witness with signs, wonders, No one came to mention a hurt ankle, plained that Jesus is alive and he loves mighty deeds, and distributed gifts of however… but later the prayer minis- to heal. She did have severe back pain. the Spirit (see Heb 2:4). ◆ try leader told me that two people had So I prayed a very simple prayer over come for prayer for pain in their left her back, and the Lord instantly took Dr. Mary Healy is professor of Scripture ankle, and both had been completely away her pain. There were tears in her at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in De- freed from pain. The Lord gave me eyes; clearly the Lord was using that troit and chair of the Doctrinal Commis- double for my trouble! outward sign to touch her heart. I en- sion of International couraged her to look for a priest to talk Catholic Charismatic Re- I’m becoming more alert to opportu- to and return to church, where the Lord newal Services. She is the nities to use healing in evangelization. was longing to welcome her home. author of Healing: Bring- Recently I was at a conference in a secu- ing the Gift of God’s lar venue and I began chatting with the I believe the Catholic Charismatic Re- Mercy to the World. young woman who was working the newal is entering a new phase. In the

12 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org DIOCESAN LIAISONS

Association of Diocesan Liaisons Hold Convocation at Alleluia Community by Chuck Hornsby, Savannah

his year the ADL Convocation Next year’s convocation will be held in For information on the Diocesan Liaison minis- was held at Alleluia Community conjunction with the Jubilee celebra- try go to www.associationofdiocesanliaisons.org. Tin Augusta, Georgia. It was a de- tion in Pittsburgh. See you there!! ◆ parture from our normal gathering be- cause we stayed in private homes of Alleluia members rather than at a re- treat center. Most of our liaison meet- ings took place in a nearby church hall A MUST-READ for everyone with Alleluia providing sound and music support and most meals were ca- in the Renewal! tered by one of the original founders of Alleluia Community. We also went “As the Catholic Charismatic to the Alleluia Thursday night prayer Renewal celebrates its  meeting that was attended by over 400 anniversary in , Fr. Bob Hogan people of all ages. We participated with provides truly a fresh refl ection community members in a form of of the role of this Renewal in the lives of individuals and in the life street evangelism and prayer ministry CELEBRATING A of the Church.” called a “treasure hunt” on another day B E S J, and had a good time on our outing CHARISMATIC D  H-T which included a “mini-Masters” min- JUBILEE iature golf tournament. Charles and Sue Only $10.95 Whitehead provided us with some Available from the National masterful insights into mission and Service Committee mercy, our convocation topic for this A Fresh Look at Call -- Charismatic Renewal year, and we took care of all of our as- and the Prayer Groups, Renewal sociation business. Charismatic Dimension Centers are encouraged to of the Church buy a number of copies What stood out this year was the cross-  discount for orders pollination of two leadership renewal Fr. Bob Hogan, BBD of  or more streams. Liaisons and covenant commu- nities have both provided significant Bookstore and Conference direction to the Renewal over the years discounts of  often on parallel but separate paths. For the ADL this was a chance to see an ecumenical covenant community up close and to experience their unique FR. BOB HOGAN, BBD is a former Chairman of the National charism. For Alleluia members this was Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He and an opportunity to see and serve a part Fr. George Montague co-founded the Charismatic and Religious of renewal leadership unfamiliar to Community, the Brothers of the Beloved . He is the them. We really enjoyed each other and Director of the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal in the for all it was a delightful opportunity Archdiocese of San Antonio. Fr. Hogan is a gifted teacher and to practice what Pope Francis calls travels across the country to speak. unity with diversity.

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 13 From the Executive “The parish… is a community of communities, a sanctuary Director where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey,

and a centre of constant missionary outreach.” ○○○○○○ by Walter Matthews “The recovery of the baptism in the added, “We must admit, though, that Spirit and the charisms is needed in all the call to review and renew our par- the institutions of the church. Religious ishes has not yet sufficed to bring them I Have a Dream orders, Catholic universities, associa- nearer to people, to make them envi- tions of the faithful, specialized move- ronments of living communion and ments, all need this touch of the Holy participation, and to make them com- ith due respect to Dr. Mar- Spirit today…We, however, are focus- pletely mission-oriented” (28). tin Luther King, Jr., I have a ing on the parish because it is there that Wdream, a Jubilee dream. It the needs of the overwhelming major- This is where “baptism in the Holy was stirred up recently in two ways. ity of Catholics can be addressed. Spirit” comes in:

First, I visited Christ the King Catho- In our vision, a renewed parish is a com- An indispensable element in a renewed lic Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan munity worshiping in vibrant liturgy, parish is ongoing conversion in the lives when in town for a Toward the Jubilee bonded together by the Holy Spirit, of the pastor and parish staff. Pastoral Campaign Luncheon. Christ the King serving one another, committed to on- leaders must have not only the vision has many parishioners from several cov- going conversion and growth, reaching for the spiritually renewed parish, but enant communities in the area, as well out to the inactive, the unchurched and the personal experience that will en- as former members of those communi- to the poor. Such parishes confront us able them to witness and minister the ties, and many people who moved there with the gospel and evangelize our cul- life of the baptism in the Spirit to oth- to become members. It is a self-de- ture. In these communities, as in the ers. This points to the vital importance scribed “charismatic Parish” (Mission Acts of the Apostles and the early of the formation of seminarians and the Statement). It is one of only a handful church, the charisms of the Holy Spirit ongoing spiritual formation of parish of such in the U.S. are identified and welcomed” (pp 23-24). clergy and staff in the baptism in the Spirit (Fanning the Flame, p 24). The second stirring was from a phone There is more. I encourage you to find call we received from a former Dioc- your copy, dust it off and re-read it, Pope Francis has said to us, “I expect esan Liaison who has migrated to the especially pages 22-28. If you have from you that you share with all, in South. He had this question for us: never read it, I encourage you to get a the Church, the grace of Baptism in “What is your vision for parishes?” I copy and read it. Allow the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit.” have to admit that when I heard it, I to stir your heart and then begin to laughed and thought to myself, “We pray that such a vision, a dream, will I have a dream, a Jubilee dream that don’t have one,” because, truth be told, become a reality. moves us beyond next year’s celebra- the NSC has probably not talked about tion into a part of our work for the next such in years. It has come up from time Pope Francis wrote in The Joy of the fifty years. ◆ to time, but the experience of many of Gospel, “The parish is not an outdated the members over the years has not institution…if the parish proves ca- been all that hopeful. pable of self-renewal and constant adaptively, it continues to be ‘the Pentecost Today Feedback I then remembered that those of us Church living in the midst of the homes We would love to hear from you; privileged to be part of the Heart of of her sons and daughters’…It is a com- please visit our website and fill the Church Consultation in 1990 that munity of communities, a sanctuary out our online evaluation wrote Fanning the Flame: What Does where the thirsty come to drink in the www.nsc-chariscenter.org. Baptism in the Holy Spirit Have to Do midst of their journey, and a centre of with Christian Initiation? wrote: constant missionary outreach.” Then he

14 PENTECOSTToday Fall 2016 www.nsc-chariscenter.org What we have

seen and heard ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ by Charles Whitehead

The challenge of healthy growth

ecently everywhere I have of the Renewal, and what is interest- remains absolutely key for both been, people have been talk- ing to note is that they are usually young and old, and among the Ring excitedly about the 50th regarded as a normal part of the life younger people in particular there is Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic of the Church by those who attend also a strong commitment to Spiri- Renewal in February 2017, and many them, and are not seen as something tual Ecumenism, as promoted by are planning to come to Rome for the odd for those “who like that sort of Pope Francis. So while everyone needs Pentecost Celebrations in response to thing,” which was often the case in to adapt to our changing times and the invitation of Pope Francis. So it the past. They have come into being to work together, there is no loss of is clear that the Renewal is still very because the older, more traditional commitment to promoting and liv- much alive and active in most coun- expressions of the Renewal were no ing the new life in the Holy Spirit. tries. What is also clear, however, is longer meeting the needs of families Alleluia! ◆ that the forms it takes today are and younger people. There were changing a lot from earlier times. To- clashes between those who liked the Charles Whitehead is a Life Member of day there are often fewer prayer old praise and worship songs and the NSC of England. He served as Presi- groups than in the 1970s and 80s; those brought up in the modern style dent of the International Catholic Char- Days of Renewal and similar events with lots of new songs; parents ismatic Renewal Council from 1989 to have declined in numbers and fre- wanted their children to be formed 2000. He is married to Sue, with 4 chil- quency; most big conferences attract in their faith and not just to be en- dren and 6 grandchildren. fewer participants than earlier. Today tertained or offered a baby-sitting there are often only a few younger service; the older leaders needed to people and families with children at be willing to make way for the these older style events. younger ones with new ideas. The process of establishing new ways of Are these bad things? Do they indi- working together is positive but chal- cate a decline in commitment to the lenging and usually leads to healthy WE ARE Renewal? Not necessarily, as there are growth for all—but it can be a pain- PREPARING A now other newer style meetings and ful process. conferences strongly supported by SPECIAL families and younger people. These The most exciting things in all of this

of course are essential for the future are that baptism in the Holy Spirit JUBILEE ISSUE ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ OF The National Service Committee- National Service Committee members: Chariscenter USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Johnny Bertucci (Chairman) PENTECOST organization. Contributions to defray the Jimmy Archer cost of this publication are gratefully Jane Barz TODAY. accepted and are tax deductible to the Jim Beckman extent allowed by law. Bp. Sam Jacobs Please mail to: Sr. Lucy Lukasiewicz, DLJC National Service Committee Tom Mangan WATCH FOR IT! Chariscenter USA Bill Marcotte PO Box 628 Ron Riggins Locust Grove, VA 22508-0628 Casey Sprehe Tel. (540) 972-0225 Tammie Stevens www.nsc-chariscenter.org

www.nsc-chariscenter.org Fall 2016 PENTECOSTToday 15 Nonprofit Org. US Postage PENTECOSTToday PAID PO Box 628 • Locust Grove, VA • 22508-0628 National Service Committee ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Published by the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the United States, Inc.

○○○○○○○○ Subscribe today! Call 1-800-338-2445 The Vision Statement of the National Service Committee or visit www.nsc-chariscenter.org. Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites all people to $10 suggested annual donation requested. experience the Holy Spirit who opens us to a life-changing If you have received more than one copy of this relationship with Jesus Christ and the love of the Father. publication, please return all the mailing labels

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July 20–23, 2017

Bishop Sam Jacobs Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh, PA

TIME FOR A FAMILY REUNION Patti Mansfield 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration NSC English Session Speakers: Praise Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan ● Sr. Nancy Kellar Mary Healy ● Dave VanVickle ● Damian Stayne Worship Mangan Masses Fr. Dave Pivonka ● Mark Nimo ● Vinson Synan General Sessions Fr. Bob Hogan ● Alan Schreck ● Dan and Caroline Healing Service Dirkes ● and others. Music by Living Praise Preaching Early registration ends December 1. Witnesses For more information and to register for the Conference go Ralph Martin to www.nsc-chariscenter.org or call 1-800-338-2445.