Word of Life Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center

November 2014

“Go into the world and tell the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15

Charismatic Day of Renewal, Sept. 6, 2014: “Fully Catholic, Fully Charismatic” By Kathy Wilcox

This year was different. We did Catholic and Fully Charismatic truly felt that all the people not have a conference; we had a as every Catholic should be! received more this day than at the Day of Renewal. But what a day it Renée explained that many are previous retreats. They were all was!! not using their gifts because they intent and open-minded and no Renée Marazon, Catholic are not aware what their strongest one moved during the talks. You author, consultant and gifts are. She led us through a self- could hear a pin drop. It was conference/retreat presenter led inventory test to reveal our amazing, and I keep giving God the day. She is well known to our strengths. Then we moved into the glory. The one-on-one women as a frequent director of groups with others who were led in discussions were priceless and our annual women’s retreat. The the same direction, so we could powerful. The intimacy, the event was held in the upper room share with them and support one wholehearted interest in everyone of St Joseph’s Parish Center, another. at the small groups, and the love where we praised the Lord, It was an incredible day! We shared with one another was so prayed, and heard his word from came to a deeper understanding of sincere and beautiful. It was a day Scripture and in prophecy. how we must surrender to and of surrender. THANK YOU Have you ever felt like you are cooperate with the Holy Spirit. JESUS!” more Charismatic than Catholic? And we did. We prayed, we ______Renée gave us excellent teachings praised God, we received on what the charisms are and how prophecies, we shared with each they were intended for the whole other, we were blessed, we were church. In fact, she explained, renewed, and we interceded for A Thanksgiving meditation “When Jesus gave us a mandate to each other. We also interceded for build the church he did not want us gifts to be poured out on the My God, I want to think back to use shovels, bricks and mortar; church and on us. We went to the over all your mercies toward me he meant for us to use the Upper Room, and the Holy Spirit and tell the world about them with charisms!” The New Catholic came! We sang “Come Holy a thankful heart. Let my bones be Catechism (#798) tells us that Spirit, let the fire fall!” and we soaked in your love until all my “The Holy Spirit uses special were showered with his gifts, being cries out, “Lord, who is like graces (called “charisms”) by wisdom, and love! you? You burst open the chains which he makes the faithful (every that bound me. I will offer to you member of the church) fit and Testimony: the sacrifice of praise.” ready to undertake various tasks Here is the testimony of one – St. Augustine of Hippo and offices for the renewal and participant: “The Upper Room building up of the Church.” What was amazing. The presence of the this tells us is that we are Fully Holy Spirit was overwhelming. I Centering in the Word of Life Renewal Office Updates By Liz Geary Center. God bless you for your The office of the Word of Life generosity. Renewal Center will be closed th th st Newsletter Support Nov. 27 -28 and Dec. 1 in It’s time to renew your 2015 pledge drive observance of Thanksgiving. subscription to the Reflections This is just a reminder that the The office will open on Wed. rd for 2015! If you could give an December edition of Reflections Dec. 3 at the usually scheduled additional contribution to will be mailed to you in an time. support those who may not be envelope and will be included able to afford their own with the 2015 pledge packet. Cambridge Springs Reunion Please join me in praying for subscription at this time, it Please pray about having a the LISS reunion at SCI would be appreciated. planned, permanent contribution Cambridge Springs on Sat., Nov. Subscription contributions are to the ministry of the Word of 8th. Please pray for an used to offset the cost of printing Life Renewal Center. As always, your generous gift is tax outpouring of the Holy Spirit and postage for the newsletter. deductible. If you have any and that the theme of Every month the Center incurs questions regarding the pledge intercessory prayer is well costs of $217 for printing and process, please contact me at the received. A special thank you $35 in bulk mail postage for the Center. Thank you in advance goes to Kathy Wilcox and T.A. newsletter, so anything that you for your support and your Walkiewicz, with the entire are able to give will help in prayers. team, for organizing the day. deferring these costs. We are ______very blessed to have a faithful List of Contributors and knowledgable staff of On page 7 of this edition of volunteers, led by Editor Jack Reflections, you will find a list of Heintzel, who produce contributors to the Center for Reflections. They always 2014. I would like to offer a appreciate your feedback about sincere thanks to everyone who specific articles or the newsletter helped the ministries the Center in general. Please detach and supports through their financial complete the form below and contributions. You will continue return it to the Center with your to be in my daily prayers. May November 30, 2014 payment in the envelope God bless you for your faithful provided. Checks are payable to support.

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Send to: Word of Life Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504-0397

2 List of Contributors On page 7 of this edition of Reflections, you will find a list of contributors to the Center for 2014. I have done my best to keep accurate records during 2014, but if you donate and you do not see your name on the list, please contact me at the Center so that I can make sure that you are credited for your donation and so that I can apologize Music, messages, and our Messiah By Dan E. Arndt

Last weekend my family and I thoughts and suicide were common after I began listening to Christian participated in an amazing occurrences back then. Rock, I made a Life in the Spirit opportunity. Patiently waiting for Unfortunately, I went deeper into seminar. It was a lyric I heard in a three years, we were in line at 4 PM the darkness because of the Fireflight song that helped me to waiting to experience Rock the Lakes. different music I listened to at the understand that making the Life in Over 200 churches in the time. Heavy Metal, Glam Metal, the Spirit was the right thing to do. Northwestern PA area and the Billy and Hardcore Rap were false While there are many who oppose Graham Evangelical Association soothers to the pain. Instead of various types of CCM for different worked hard praying, raising funds, making things get better, the music reasons, CCM does help some and providing numerous outreach I listened to made it worse. It was people. As a polar opposite of discipleship experiences in those so bad that at one point I tried to secular music, CCM can bring three years to bring this event to Erie. act on committing suicide. messages of hope, love, and faith. Over the course of two days Fortunately for me, God Anyway, as for Rock the Lakes (September 27th & 28th), BGEA intervened. on Saturday night, I got to see two brought in various Contemporary of my favorite performers and Christian Music acts to help save gained new favorites at the same souls in Erie. Each day of the event ROCK time. The feeling in the Erie provided music for all ages. While Insurance Arena was intense. You

Saturday was billed for the teenage to could feel the Holy Spirit all young adult audience, Sunday throughout the building during focused on more spiritual and lighter THE each performance. To see musical acts geared for a more mature thousands of young adults who audience. openly expressed their love for Music has and always will play God and Jesus was awe- inspiring. an important part in our lives. We LAKES This concert was just what I and listen or participate in music for many others needed. I learned various reasons. Whether it is to A week after that attempt I met more about Lacey Sturm, former escape from a difficult situation or my wife. I converted to lead singer of Flyleaf, and her to praise God, music is there to Catholicism and accepted the idea difficult life. I felt a strong help us along the way. Yet, music of God. Even throughout this time, connection with her because we also has a destructive side. A good I continued sinful behavior and had many similarities in our lives percentage of today’s secular listening to damaging music. One growing up. Her testimony on how music has destructive messages. day in 2010, I finally got sick of God intervened in her life the day These messages range from the music on the radio. It seemed she planned to commit suicide immorality and false idol worship as though every song was the made me cry. Lacey’s story has to anger and hate toward others. same—just a different artist with a inspired me. What we listen to in our homes, different beat or melody. The We all have a specific reason to businesses, and vehicles affects not music made me sick because of the be alive each day. In Lacey’s only us but also others around us content. But, I couldn’t just stop book, The Reason: How I including friends, family, children, listening to music. I had to find a Discovered a Life Worth Living, and grandchildren. new outlet. This is where my she details her inspiring Growing up, I had a major journey into Contemporary transformation from hating God distrust of God and anything Christian Music (CCM) and a and suicidal thoughts to trusting Christian. I didn’t believe. The deeper relationship with God God and fulfilling her reason for main reason was because of all the started. life—to tell her story. pain in my life. I lived in a dark You see, God likes to lead me Cont. on page 5 hole for so many years. Negative through creative outlets. Shortly 3

Healing Mass Memorials Our Lady of Peace 2401 W. 38th St. 7:30PM In memory of Requested by Wednesday Nov. 5, 2014

Larry Olon Judi Janke, Ruth Olon, Ray & Mary Pilewski Contemporary Mass Doris McAlee Eugene & Rachel Fitch St. Joseph Church Helen Mille Hermann Sr. Marie Celeste Bindseil Bread of Life Community Sr. Anastasia Valimont Sr. Marie Celeste Bindseil 11:00AM every Sunday Lilian Greene Sr. Marie Celeste Bindseil Children's Liturgy of the Word James Walsh, Jr. Ray and Mary Pilewski

Perpetual Adoration Contributions have been made for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bread of Life Chapel Prayers will be offered for the comfort and support of the families. St. Joseph Community Center 1. I

n Chaplet of Mercy

Every day at 3:00pm in Bread of Life “No person was ever honored for what Chapel m he received. e St. Joseph Novena Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” m St. Joseph Church Bread of Life o Community – Calvin Coolidge r Every Wednesday 7:00PM y

All Scripture quotes in this newsletter are from the New International Version unless noted otherwise o f

PRAYER GROUPS

R e † Sunday † Thursday: Wildfire Prayer River of Life PG q Shalom in Jesus Prayer Group Meeting 2nd & 4th Monday evenings nd u In home 6:30PM 7:00PM 2 Thursday of month 4:30PM Rick Kenawell (814) 375-0328 5031 W. Ridge Rd. e St. Bridget Ch., Rm. 4, Meadville, PA s DuBois, PA Amy Mosbacher (814) 724-6104 S.S.J. Living Center t November 2,9,16,23,30 November 10,24 Sr. Gerry Olon 836-4165 November 13 e Acts II Community † Tuesday: d St. Julia Church 6:30 PM St. Joseph Church / Bread of Life th Son of God Prayer Group West 8 & Powell Ave. Prayer Meeting 7:00PM b Holy Rosary Church th Jack Heintzel 838-1325 2701 East Ave. 7:00PM 139 W. 24 St. – Upstairs in Center y November 2,9,16,23,30 Regi Connelly (814) 866-0505 Pat Montefiori 823-3968 November 4,11,18,25 November 6,13,20, 27 (Call first) † Monday: M Disciples of the Holy Spirit St. Boniface PG a St. Mary's Church Annex 6:00PM Chosen Prayer Group 7615 Wattsburg Rd. 7:00PM St. Theresa Church, x 139 Church St., St. Marys, PA John Griebel 825-3588 i Mary Ellen Frank (814) 781-3904 Shinglehouse, PA 10AM - 12Noon November 6,13,20,27 November 3,10,17,24 Mary Kuhn (814) 697-7519 n November 4,11,18,25 e Leopold Center † Friday: 1017 West 8th St. † Wednesday: Light of the World Community St. Mark’s Prayer Group A Mary Lou Peterson 866-5678 In Home Prayer Meeting – Call for . Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary St. Mark Church 7:00PM Location 7:30PM At 3:00PM (before Mass) Religious Education Center Bob Zimmer 868-5344 November 3,10,17,24 Emporium, PA November 7,14,21,28 S (Except major holidays) November 5,12,19,26 c h l 4 o s s e Pope Francis speaking of charisms Music,Messages from page 3 which the Father fills us flow and If you get the opportunity, read Dear brothers and sisters, flourish; and it is in the heart of the Lacey’s book and watch the From the beginning, the Lord community that one learns to recorded event on the BGEA filled the Church with the gifts of recognize them as a sign of his website. You’ll see the excitement his Spirit, thus rendering her love for all his children. So it is that this event brought to our always alive and fruitful. good that each one of us ask community. You’ll get excited to Distinguished among these gifts himself: “Is there some charism see how many young adults were are some that are particularly that the Lord has made arise in me, saved when Franklin Graham precious for the building and in the grace of his Spirit, and asked them to come forward. journey of the Christian which my brothers in the Christian The event was spectacular. I community: they are the charisms. community have recognized and wish we could have seen Sunday’s In this catechesis, we want to ask encouraged? And how do I performances, but I’m so glad that ourselves: what, exactly is a conduct myself in regard to this I trusted the Spirit in making that charism? How can we recognize gift? commitment to attend Saturday and receive it? And, above all, the Dear friends, see what the Lord night. I needed that spark to bring fact that in the church there is a asks of us today: to recognize with me back from where my life has diversity and multiplicity of joy and gratitude the different been heading since June, but that’s charisms, is this seen positively, as charisms that he distributes in the another story for another time. something good, or rather as a community, to put ourselves on the ______problem? line for one another, according to In ordinary language, when there the ministries and services to Searching for saints is talk of a “charism,” it is often which we are called. In this way, God is on a saint search, and it’s understood as a talent, as a natural the Church grows with the grace of not only perfect people who are ability. So in face of a particularly her Lord and becomes in all times going to be found. Sure, there may brilliant and moving person, it is and places a credible sign and be some who are born with the usually said, “He is a charismatic living testimony of the love of natural ability to love the Lord person.” In the Christian God. with the totality of heart, soul, perspective, however, a charism is Excerpted with permission from mind and strength, nonstop. But something more than a personal National Service Committee letter of for most of us, this passion and quality, a predisposition of which October 7, 2014. power come only after we discover ______one might be gifted. A charism is that God has always loved us, and a grace, a gift lavished by God the that his love precedes our own. The first Thanksgiving Day Father through the action of the Fact is, most of us find the Lord

Holy Spirit. And it is a gift that is only after we have been found by Heap high the board with given to someone, not because he him. plenteous cheer, is better than others or because he And all God asks is that we And gather in the feast. merited it; it is a gift that God respond with that same level of And toast the sturdy Pilgrim band makes so that, with the same passion ... loving him with all our Whose courage ne’er ceased. gratuitousness and the same love, heart, soul, mind and strength … Give praise to the All-Gracious he can put it at the service of the and showing a willingness to love One whole community, for the good of our neighbors as ourselves. By Whom their steps were led, all. If we do, we’ll be God’s holy And thanks unto the harvests’ Something important that must ones, set apart for his service. Lord be stressed immediately is the fact – Homiletics who sends our daily bread. that one cannot understand on –Alice Williams Brotherton one’s own if one has a charism, and which one. It is within the community that the gifts with 5

Sitting with God with God, learning from him, position of sitting with God before By Jack Heintzel knowing who we are in him, we try to walk in his ways. understanding our mission. ______“And God raised us up with Christ In Eph. 3:16f Paul prays for us, and seated us with Him…” A heritage hymn of I recently re-discovered an old that out of God’s glorious riches he Thanksgiving book entitled Sit, Walk, Stand by may strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner Watchman Nee. The author O God of all, Who hears the preached in China in the 1930s being. He wants us to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of prayers of every generation, prior to the Japanese war and the Accept the thankfulness we feel God. This will allow us to be all beginning of World War II. His for those who built our nation. real name was Nee To-sheng. The that he wants us to be. All of us For frontier path with oxen cart, preface states that the Chinese are called to begin our spiritual life for circuit rider station, people had much more from that place of rest in God, For simple joy, for vision, for evangelistic freedom in those when by faith we see ourselves hope and inspiration. days, compared to the restrictions seated together with him in the later imposed by the Communist heavens. We praise You for those saints of old who listened to Your call, regime. Watchman Nee puts it this way: Who weathered storm and The book covers the whole of St. “Most Christians make the sacrifice to serve both great and Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. We mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is the small. can draw many lessons from this They left a legacy of love; a letter and Nee’s words. If we reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, if we do not church that needs no wall – examine Ephesians, we see that the But takes your Gospel through the walk, how can we ever reach the first part, chapters 1-3, is mainly world and shares the Faith with doctrinal. The second part, goal? What can we attain without all. chapters 4-6, is primarily practical. effort? But Christianity is a queer It seems that most Scripture business! If at the outset we try to Walk city street and foreign shore scholars believe that Ephesians do anything, we get nothing; if we with us, Your Church, today. contains the highest spiritual truths seek to attain something, we miss Lift us to new horizons, show us concerning the Christian life. everything. For Christianity Your Will, Your Way. Be in our thoughts, our hopes, our Look at Eph. 1:3-14, which begins not with a big DO, but with dreams, in all we do and say. pictures us “in the heavenly realms a big DONE.” God has already blessed us with every spiritual Grant us Your benediction now, with every spiritual blessing in O Lord, our God, we pray. Christ.” He has “made known to blessing in the heavenly places, and we are invited at the very start Amen. us the mystery of his will – Peggy Ferrell of our spiritual life to sit down and according to his good pleasure, ______which he purposed in Christ.” enjoy what God has done for us, God wants the eyes of our hearts to not to set out to attain it for be enlightened so that we may ourselves. know the hope to which he has Eph. 2:8 says that by grace we called us. He wants us to are saved through faith. This understand his incomparably great salvation is not due to our works; power for us who believe. He it is the gift of God. We are simply wants us to be sitting with him so saved by reposing in the Lord that he can prepare us for the great Jesus. Nee says man must first adventure to which He has called enter into God’s rest, and only then November 2, 2014 us – this adventure called the can he begin to serve the Lord. Christian life. It all starts as we sit Let’s make sure we are in this 6

Thank you to all who graciously contributed to the Word of Life Renewal Center in 2014

Halina Ablamowicz Barbara Geary Ray and Mary Pilewski* Bill and June Adam Patrick and Elizabeth Geary Fr. David Poulson Meg Allin Mike and Karen Giannamore* Jack and Audrey Reese* Dan Arndt Jack and Jean Heintzel* Mary Pat Ringhand Michelle Barr* Ed and Agnes Helsley* Shelly Rudolph Fred and Jean Beckwith Shirley Ireland* Sr. Maria Assumpta Ruza* Patty Bielanin Judi Janke Leah Schlipf James Bebko Dale and Leslie Jennings John and Judy Skuce Sr. Marie Celeste Bindseil Richard Kenawell Charlene Smith Lore Jean Blair Mary Kuhn Richard and Christine Sweeney Peter Boice Timothy Laher Michael and Antonia Vehec* Marianne Borkowski Charlotte Loy T.A. Walkiewicz* Maureen Bradley Leanne Luzier Cheryl Wardega Martha Brown Carol Mando* John and Catherine Weagraff Maria Burenko Cynthia Manna Lisa Werneth Kathleen Byers Sr. Catherine Manning Mike and Mary Beth Whitman John Cambra Carmella Manno Kathy Wilcox Michael Carrig* Vincent and JoAnne Martin Sue Winschel Mary Chivers Joe and Pat Martone* Bonnie Wodarski* Belle Chylinski* Colleen McLaughlin Ed and Robin Woods Kathy Davis* Richard Melka Bob and Jean Zimmer Pat and Linda Dimperio Sr. Gerry Olon* Dan and Irene Zuba John and Therese Donofrio James and Mary Olon Shirley Dovichow Shirley Olon* Contributors are current for 2014 as of October 10th. Marleen Dudzinski Sr. Colette Palmer*

Ronald Eldridge Judith Palmer *Indicates monthly pledge Mary Therese Fahrs* Jerome and Joan Marie Peterson commitment. Sr. Mary Helen Forney

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DIOCESE OF ERIE Non-Profit Organization WORD OF LIFE U.S Postage PAID Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center Erie, PA Permit No. 285 429 East Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16504

Reflections is published monthly by:

Word of Life Catholic

Charismatic Renewal Center

429 E. Grandview Blvd. Erie PA 16504 (814) 824-1286 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.wordoflifeccrc.org

Office hours: M-W-F. 8am – 2:30pm

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: Liz Geary, Kathy Wilcox, Agnes Helsley, Amy Mosbacher Typist: Carol Mando

Volume XXVIII Issue No. 11 November 2014