Word Of Life Volume XXXI Issue No. 4 Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center April 2017

POWER AT IT’S HEIGHT By Amy Mosbacher

It was one of those moments: I turned out. When God saw things Jesus forgave sins, and He was searching through the weren’t going so well it would’ve reminds us that we can do the Catechism of the Catholic Church been understandable if He’d same. Jesus told us, “If y ou for something when another scrapped the whole experiment. forgive anyone’s sins, their sins unrelated line caught my eye, and But no. Instead our Father that line made me stop where I decides that He can’t stand to be are forgiven; if you do not forgive was. Awe struck me anew. “He apart from us and doesn’t want us them, they are not forgiven.” (Jn displays His power at its height wandering in the darkness, so 20:23). When Jesus taught us by freely forgiving sins.” (CCC Jesus comes down from His how to pray, He told us to ask 270). It’s such a little line, but so beautiful Heaven into our forgiveness for our trespasses, much of our faith is conveyed by shadowy world. just as we forgive those who it He takes on our weak trespass against us. But “For in him all things were humanity and consents to created: things in heaven and on growing up in a family, obeying sometimes forgiveness is so hard. earth, visible and invisible, His mother and foster father. He By ourselves we don’t have the whether thrones or powers or risks being misunderstood and strength to do it. That’s when we rulers or authorities; all things rejected. Finally our Lord submits have to place our hurt in the have been created through him to humiliation, torture and a most Father’s hands and say, “You and for him.” (Col. 1:16.) cruel death on a cross, because forgive for me.” He will this is who He is, and it’s what eventually bring us to make the He created far-flung galaxies and He does. God heals. On the cross dark matter and mysteries we Jesus uttered these among His act for ourselves. Until then, be can’t even see. He formed quarks last words, “Father, forgive them, amazed that we don’t have to do and other subatomic building for they do not know what they great works to be like our Father, blocks. He gives life and order, are doing.” (Lk. 23:34). Forgive we just have to forgive. That’s and “There is a time for them. “I protected them and kept when His awesome power at its everything, and a season for them safe” (Jn. 17:12). Forgive height flows through us as well. every activity under the them. heavens.”(Eccl.3:1.) There’s MY NAME IS MAN OF SORROWS 2 nothing that escapes His “He displays His power at its attention. He knows if even a height by freely forgiving UNDERSTANDING OUR NEED FOR 3 sparrow falls to the ground (Mt. sins.” (CCC 270). BROKENNESS 10:29). PRAYER GROUPS 4 In the midst of all His I cannot fathom the magnanimity CHANGE MY HEART, O GOD 5 Majesty’s great deeds comes this of what our God, Father, Son and PRAYER BRUNCH REVIEW 6 little bit of creation called Holy Spirit, has done for us. Over humanity. We know how that CAN A DYING LANGUAGE BE 7 and over again in His ministry SAVED? 1

MY NAME IS "MAN OF SORROWS" By Julie Oldach

My name is "Man of Sorrows." My robe was torn away from me. My suffering was so great. They shoved me to the ground, Instead of words of love to me So much unfeeling cruelty, They snarled out shouts of hate. My heart began to pound.

Even today the world pours My eyes looked up at heaven O’er the earth like rain To my Father always there. A constant barrage of “Jesus Christ,” He said, "Well done, my Son" My name spilled out in vain. And gave me strength to bear.

I stood innocent before them, The pounding of the nails Their God who loved them so. In my hands and in my feet, My grief at their rejection Then the raising of the cross, No one will ever know. Soon my suffering was complete.

The whip began to strike My friends, in hopeless unbelief, Savagely on my skin. Wept the next three days. Thus began the battle Suddenly from within the tomb To rid the world of sin. Burst the resurrection rays.

I thought about my people I am still the "Man of Sorrows," And the reason I was born. Still rejected when I call. I loved them unconditionally, Their faces turn away from me Even with piercing thorn. Though I gave my all.

The blood began to trickle Would you be my faithful one And ooze slowly down my face. To love me and to cherish “Father, help me bear this all The memory of my suffering To save the human race.” So your soul would never perish?

Time to go to Calvary. Come and walk beside me now. The heavy cross was lain Trust me now and forever. Without care upon my wounds I'll lead you right to heaven, As flesh screamed out in pain. A covenant none can sever.

I walked a million miles that day. I saw your face before me. I must open the gates of hell, Only death would win the key. 2

UNDERSTANDING OUR NEED FOR BROKENNESS by Jack Heintzel

“…a broken and contrite heart, care who knew about his sin; his double-mindedness, and learn to O God, you will not despise.” heart was transparent. hate our sins and mourn over Ps. 51:17 them. May we have a real sense Another Scriptural example is of spiritual need, and come Listening to an audio tape by the sinful woman (Luke 7:36) Nancy DeMoss of Cru (Campus who entered the house of Simon humbly to the Cross. Jesus will Crusade for Christ) helped me when Jesus was there. She was meet us there. to see that I must be more so sorrowful about her sins that humble before God. She states she wet Jesus’ feet with her that being in a state of tears and poured perfume on brokenness is crucial to our them. She wept openly and Christian walk. We are looking didn’t care who was there, so for revival in our personal lives great was her love for Jesus and and in the Erie Diocesan her appreciation for His Renewal, and brokenness is a forgiveness; the broken woman key to revival. Many of the or man doesn’t care what others successful revivals in modern think. In contrast, Simon and times have only come after the the other Pharisees were Christian leaders recognized insensitive to their sins and their pride and humbled indignant about this woman. themselves before almighty What are some of the attributes Asking for your help

God. of broken people? They esteem The editor of this others as being better than self, newsletter is asking all Brokenness does not mean we and surrendering their need to readers to strongly consider are sad, gloomy, and morbid. It be right. They promote others contributing articles. I is not a state of false humility or over self, and are eager to have believe that there are deep hurtfulness. Genuine others get the credit. Broken people reading this brokenness is a choice, an act of people know that all they have publication who have our wills. It’s not a one-time to offer is the life of Jesus writing ability and could provide articles that would experience, but rather an flowing through them. They are edify those who subscribe. ongoing, absolute surrender of willing to be rebuked and I’m not asking you to our will to God. It is a lifestyle corrected. They race to the cross submit every month, but as of saying “not my will, but of Jesus Christ; they compare often as you can. Please Your will be done, Lord.” It themselves to the holiness of pray about this, and let me means being transparent in our God and see their need of know what you might be dealings with God and others. repentance. Broken people are able to do. Thank you.

As DeMoss says, transparency obedient to God and want only Jack Heintzel, Editor is living with the roof off to to do His will. Word of Life Catholic God and the walls down in Charismatic Renewal Center relation to others. An example is Let us not deceive ourselves. 429 E. Grandview Blvd, Erie PA King David; when he was We must be humble to be 16514 confronted about his sin with broken. Let us ask God to show Phone: (814) 824-1286 Bathsheba he was so contrite Fax: (814) 824-1285 us where we are hard of heart that he wrote Psalm 51 for the e-mail: [email protected] website: www.wordoflifeccrc.org whole world to see. He didn’t and unyielding to Him. We must purify our hearts, get rid of 3

HEALING MASS Penance and Fasting Our Lady of Peace Church Jesus challenged us to take up our cross and follow Him. For 2401 W. 38th St. 7:30 PM the Christian, carrying a cross is not an option. A choice as to First Wednesday of the month which cross to carry is a luxury given to some. Many do not need to ask questions about fasting and abstinence. They do CONTEMPORARY MASS not choose their crosses; such things are simply part of their Every Sunday 11:00 AM St. Joseph Church / daily existence. Perhaps alleviating that burden (and helping Bread of Life Community them carry that cross) might be an excellent place for us to Children's Liturgy of the Word begin thinking about the penance and fasting we do. Abstain- ing from certain foods is only the beginning. We must also PERPETUAL ADORATION look to how we use our choices to strengthen our faith and Bread of Life Chapel St. Joseph Community Center help those whose crosses are so hard to carry. Lynn McIntire CHAPLET OF MERCY Every day 3:00 PM Resurrection Bread of Life Chapel Faith in the resurrection of Christ never misleads us, and hope

in our own resurrection never deceives us, because God the ST. JOSEPH NOVENA Every Wednesday 7:00 PM Father both restored our Lord to life and will restore us to life St. Joseph Church / too by virtue of His power. St. Bede the Venerable Bread of Life Community PRAYER GROUPS

† SUNDAY † TUESDAY: † THURSDAY: Shalom in Jesus Prayer Group Son of God Prayer Group Wildfire Prayer Meeting In home 6:30 PM Holy Rosary Church 2nd Thursday of month 4:30 PM Rick Kenawell (814) 375-0328 2701 East Ave. 7:00 PM 5031 W. Ridge Rd.. DuBois, PA Pat Montefiori (814) 823-3968 S.S.J. Living Center Sr. Gerry Olon (814) 836-4165 Acts II Community Chosen Prayer Group St. Julia Church 6:30 PM St. Theresa Church, St. Boniface PG West Lake Rd. & Powell Ave. Shinglehouse, PA 10 AM – 12 Noon 7615 Wattsburg Rd. 7:00 PM Jack Heintzel (814) 838-1325 Mary Kuhn (814) 697-7519 John Griebel (814) 825-3588

† MONDAY: † WEDNESDAY: † FRIDAY: Disciples of the Holy Spirit St. Mary's Church Annex 6:00 PM St. Mark’s Prayer Group Light of the World Community 139 Church St., St. Mark Church 7:00 PM In Home Prayer Meeting St. Marys, PA Religious Education Center Call for location 7:00 PM Mary Ellen Frank (814) 781-3904 Emporium, PA T.A. Walkiewicz (814) 833-9717

St. Andrew Chapel

(formerly Leopold Center group)

Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary

1116 West 7th St.

3:15 pm (after Mass)

Mary Lou Peterson (814) 866-5678 For information on

National Catholic River of Life PG Charismatic Renewal visit: 2nd & 4th Monday evenings http://www.nsc-chariscenter.org/: 7:00PM St. Bridget Ch., Rm. 4 Meadville, PA Amy Mosbacher (814) 724-6104 4

CHANGE MY HEART, O GOD By Kathy Wilcox Change. My spiritual goal, which the butterfly develops A new heart also will I give real change, demonstrates and matures. The adult you, and a new spirit will I put active Christian growth. Will butterfly emerges from the within you: and I will take desire for conversion make it cocoon, transformed and away the stony heart out of happen? How does real beautiful. It is a miracle that it transformation occur? happens and also how it your flesh, and I will give you happens. Scientists discovered a heart of flesh. And I will put As I pondered this question, I how metamorphosis occurs, My Spirit within you, and went to Mass. Fr. Matthew but they cannot recreate it or cause you to walk in My began his homily with a explain it themselves. statutes, and you shall keep science lesson. It was an My judgments, and do interesting way of explaining them...Without Me you can do change, and the best I have “Only God can ever heard. He introduced a change a worm into nothing" (Ezekiel 36:26-27; worm-like creature known as a a butterfly!” John 15:5). caterpillar. The caterpillar (larva) started as an egg and quickly turned into a fat So what about me? I am the glutton, gross and ugly. He worm. How do I become a hangs upside down and butterfly? It will never happen attaches to a tree branch, if I choose to stay a worm spinning a cocoon around his focused on self- indulgence. body, activating the pupa Fr. Matthew carefully pointed (chrysalis) stage of the process. out that modern folks choose By the end of just a month an television, computers, egg became a caterpillar that cellphones and eating out became a pupa and then a instead of their relationship butterfly. “Ok, so far this is 3rd with God. I must separate grade science; I know about myself from these distractions metamorphosis,“ I mused. and surround myself with a He continued with these words: cocoon of self-discipline. In “Only God,” he explained, this environment, my sin “can change a worm into a nature will be silenced and my butterfly.” The details were free will submitted to God. My new information. First of all, soul, which will not die with the fat, ugly caterpillar must my body, will be freed to grow put himself in a straitjacket, the and release the unique qualities cocoon. Inside of it, he dies, God planted within me at and his body dissolves into a conception. God can change liquid protein. In that liquid are my heart, but I must enter into the cells for all the components a disciplined state necessary of the butterfly’s body. These for the death of my will to cells miraculously do not die occur. The miracle of with the caterpillar. The transformation will be obvious. caterpillar’s dissolved body I will emerge one of God’s becomes the fertile ground in beautiful butterflies.

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PRAYER BRUNCH REVIEW BY Loretta Swartwood If you weren’t at the prayer The following was shared by IF I GET DEMENTIA, don’t feel brunch on March 11th you Judy at the brunch. guilty if you cannot care missed a wonderful time. for me 24 hours a day, 7 IF I GET DEMENTIA days a week. It’s not your Guest speakers John and Judy by Rachael Wonderlin fault, and you’ve done Skuce shared their testimony your best. Find someone and how God used John’s IF I GET DEMENTIA, I want my who can help you, or father’s addiction to bring John friends and family to choose a great new place back to Him. John reminded embrace my reality. If I for me to live. us that behind every addiction think my spouse is still IF I GET DEMENTIA, and I live is pain. in a dementia care alive, or if I think we’re Through the healing process, visiting my parents for community, please visit John discovered that in spite of dinner, let me believe me often. his father’s addiction to those things. I’ll be much IF I GET DEMENTIA, don’t act alcohol, he taught John many happier for it. frustrated if I mix up good life lessons. “Sometimes IF I GET DEMENTIA, I don’t names, events, or places. your heart needs time to catch want to be treated like a Take a deep breath. It’s up with what your head already child. Talk to me like the not my fault. knows”. adult that I am. IF I GET DEMENTIA, make IF I GET DEMENTIA, I still sure I always have my John and Judy also shared what want to enjoy the things favorite music playing they have learned about living that I’ve always enjoyed. within earshot. with Alzheimer’s. Judy was Help me find a way to IF I GET DEMENTIA, and I like diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in exercise, read, and visit to pick up items and carry 2009. Eight years later she is with friends. them around, help me still able to do many of the IF I GET DEMENTIA, ask me to return those items to their things she has always enjoyed, tell you a story from my original places. just a little bit differently. She past. IF I GET DEMENTIA, don't has a beautiful smile and a IF I GET DEMENTIA, and I exclude me from parties wonderful sense of humor. become agitated, take the and family gatherings. time to figure out what is IF I GET DEMENTIA, know that They are advocates for the bothering me. I still like receiving hugs Alzheimer’s Association. Their IF I GET DEMENTIA, treat me or handshakes. advice for those who have been the way that you would IF I GET DEMENTIA, remember affected by this disease, you want to be treated. that I am still the person must exercise your mind, IF I GET DEMENTIA, make you know and love. exercise your body, maintain sure that there are plenty your medications, and maintain of snacks for me in the your social circles. Keeping in house. Even now if I touch with the people and don’t eat I get angry, and activities you love help keep if I have dementia, I may the disease from progressing. have trouble explaining Thank you John and Judy for what I need. sharing you testimony with us. IF I GET DEMENTIA, don’t talk We have been truly blessed by about me as if I’m not in you. the room.

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CAN A DYING LANGUAGE BE SAVED? Aramaic, a Semitic language preservation and an Muslims, Samaritans, related to Hebrew and Arabic, investigation into how ancient Zoroastrians and pagans. was the common tongue of the languages shift and splinter entire Middle East when the over time. The writing on the wall (the Middle East was the crossroads proverbial sort) came for of the world. People used it for In a highly connected global Aramaic in the seventh century commerce and government age, languages are in die-off. AD, when Muslim armies from across a territory stretching Fifty to 90 percent of the Arabia conquered the Middle from Egypt and the Holy Land roughly 7,000 languages East, and Arabic routed to India and China. Parts of the spoken today are expected to Aramaic as the region’s main Bible and the Jewish Talmud go silent by century’s end. We language. Aramaic survived were written in it; the original live under an oligarchy of only in the Kurdish mountains “writing on the wall,” English and Mandarin and of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, presaging the fall of the Spanish, in which 94 percent of places so remote they never got Babylonians, was composed in the world’s population speaks the memo. Jews and Christians it. As Jesus died on the cross, 6 percent of its languages. Yet there (though not Muslims, he cried in Aramaic, “Elahi, among threatened languages, who spoke Kurdish) kept up Elahi, lema habaqtani?” (“My Aramaic stands out. Arguably Aramaic as an everyday tongue God, my God, why have you no other still-spoken language for another 1,300 years. forsaken me?”) has fallen farther. Its first

But Aramaic is down now to speakers, the Arameans, were Taken from Smithsonian its last generation or two of desert nomads. (The Bible Magazine, “How to Save a speakers, most of them describes the forebear of the Dying Language”, online scattered over the past century Hebrews---Jacob, or Israel,--- excerpt 187947061.html. from homelands where their as “a wandering Aramean.”) Author not identified. language once flourished. In Spreading out from ancient their new lands, few children Syria, they so blanketed and even fewer grandchildren Mesopotamia that when the learn it. (My father, a Jew born Assyrians conquered the in Kurdish Iraq, is a native Middle East in the eighth speaker and scholar of century BC, they adopted Aramaic; I grew up in Los Aramaic—not their own Angeles and know just a few tongue, Akkadian—as a words.) This generational language of empire. So did the rupture marks a language’s last Babylonians when they days. For field linguists vanquished the Assyrians, and recording native speakers— the Persians when they toppled “informants,” in the lingo—is the Babylonians. The language both an act of cultural crossed the lips of Christians, Jews, Mandeans, Manicheans,

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DIOCESE OF ERIE Non-Profit WORD OF LIFE Organization Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center U.S Postage PAID 429 East Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA Erie, PA 16514 Permit No. 285

Reflections is published monthly by: Word of Life Catholic April 2017 Charismatic Renewal Center 429 E. Grandview Blvd, Erie PA 16514 Phone: (814) 824-1286 Fax: (814) 824-1285 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.wordoflifeccrc.org

The office is generally open on Wednesday and/or Thursday only. Please call before coming.

The purpose of this newsletter is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to provide teaching, news and calendar of events, which help to foster Catholic Charismatic Renewal throughout the Diocese of Erie.

EDITOR Jack Heintzel

WRITERS: Kathy Wilcox, Agnes Helsley, Amy Mosbacher FORMATTING/GRAPHICS: Loretta Swartwood

Volume XXXI Issue No. 4

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