MAY 2012 The newsletter of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Melbourne, Australia. www.ccr.org.au HOLY SPIRIT COME! By CLAUDE LOPEZ Some forty years ago, Catholic Charismatic Renewal manifestation of this Pentecost is the Charismatic Melbourne initiated the annual holding of a major event Renewal, so we can joyfully acclaim that the Charismatic (Conference or Retreat) with renowned speakers and Renewal is of the Church and in the Church… spreading teachers. Perhaps some “Good News” readers still today, with over one hundred million Catholics attending remember attending such events. Prayer Meetings. For the January 2013 The experience of the event, the chosen theme power of the Spirit, leads of the Conference is “Holy not only to a realisation Spirit Come!” and for that Jesus is alive, really this significant occasion, present and is my Lord, we have invited four but also leads to a new outstanding speakers of kind of hunger… hunger international repute, from for prayer, more especially different parts of the world: Charles Whitehead, Cyril the prayer of praise, hunger for the Word of God and a John, Jim Murphy and Mark Nimo. The Conference will yearning to be with Jesus. Our faith becomes more alive be launched by His Excellency Most Reverend Giuseppe and meaningful. Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia who will celebrate When I was in Rome, serving at ICCRS in 1986, and the opening Mass to impart the Papal Blessing with a together with the Councillors at a private audience, the Plenary Indulgence. Holy Father reminded us that authentic renewal has certain characteristics: “Integrity, Specificity and an The theme reflects the introduction of the Encyclical Ecclesial sense.” Letter “DOMINUM ET VIVIFICANTEM” of Pope John Paul II, on the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, Life in the Spirit, lived to a heroic degree, does not find wherein it recognises that “the times in which we are support in the “in” lifestyle. The current fashion in life- living are bringing the Holy Spirit closer to the many who style makes it difficult to distinguish new values from are returning to prayer, thus helping us to be aware that their imitation. Life in the Spirit means being ruled by “the the Holy Spirit wants our completeness.” reasons of the Spirit” in our quest for God, and also in the way we relate to one another … and the best way to In reflecting on the width and breadth of this theme, I live according to the Spirit is to be ruled by the Beatitudes remembered memorable statements by outstanding proclaimed by Jesus. church leaders which rekindled in me my own desire and yearning to invoke, again and again, “Holy Spirit Come!.” THE CONCEPTION AND BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST ARE This is a gift that with prayer comes and penetrates into IN FACT THE GREATEST WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY our hearts. In prayer he manifests himself first of all, as a THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE HISTORY OF CREATION AND gift that “helps us in our weakness.” This is the magnificent SALVATION… AND SO I SAY “HOLY SPIRIT COME!” thought by St Paul in his letter to the Romans, when he writes: “for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26) The prayer of Pope John XXIII for the success of the Council contained these words: “Renew thy wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost.” In the general audience of November 29, 1972, Pope Paul VI said: “The Church needs an eternal Pentecost,” and one FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS PAGE 3 • WHICH FRUIT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? PAGE 4 - 5 • WHAT GOOD WORKS ARE OUR PRAYER GROUPS DOING? PAGE 6 SHIELD OF CHRIST PRAYER GROUP PAGE 7 • THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY IN ACTION... AND IT’S (UNKNOWN) REWARDS! PAGE 8 • BOOK REVIEW PAGE 9 THE FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL PAGE 10 • EASTERN & SOUTHERN REGION RETREAT DAY PAGE 10 • A WORD... FROM MIRIAM PAGE 11 • MARK YOUR DIARIES PAGE 12 CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN At the end of December 2010 I retired as Executive For enquiries about Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Director of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Melbourne, its events or prayer groups visit the: and also stepped down from my role as the Chairman CCR CENTRE of Coordinators. The time since my retirement has 101 Holden Street been most interesting in that the Lord seems to have North Fitzroy continued to open doors that have kept me active within VIC 3068 the ministry of CCR. Certainly I have not had to concern (Car park entry in Dean Street) Telephone: (03) 9486 6544 myself with matters of administration, but my retirement has been Fax: (03) 9486 6566 interspersed with giving talks at prayer groups, conducting a number Email: [email protected] of weekend retreats both in Melbourne and interstate, and also I joined The Centre is open 10.00am - 4.00pm, Michelle Moran, and Jim Murphy in presenting the ICCRS Leaders Monday - Friday, except Public Holidays. Training Program in Townsville last year to more than 100 leaders from Australia and overseas. However, in all of this I have been able Good News to spend more time with Carmel, and we have enjoyed the opportunity Good News is published quarterly, on each Renewal Day (see Page 8). to do things together which was not always possible when I worked full time for CCR, and was also fulfilling other roles both nationally and Editor: Lenyce Willason internationally. Email: [email protected] Recently I was asked if I would be available to further assist CCR by Assistant Editor: Andrea Baxter taking over the chairmanship of Coordinators for the time being from Editorial Assistant: Mary Crawford John Duiker, and I have accepted to do so. Amongst other things John Distribution: CCR Centre Team is presently dealing with the mammoth task of completing his doctorate in Theology by the end of this year. I have no doubt in achieving this Printing: Newtone Press distinction it will be of ultimate benefit for his work in CCR given the Articles, news items and other contributions should opportunities he will have to teach, and speak about Baptism in the be sent to the editor at the above address. Holy Spirit. Good News is published by Catholic Charismatic It is no exaggeration to claim that the graces of Baptism in the Holy Spirit Renewal (CCR) in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia, by the Co-ordinators: Allan Panozza are life changing. Some aspects of the experience certainly differ for (Acting Chairman), John Duiker, Claude Lopez, each person. For example, some share about a new sense of new joy in Diana Tominac, Nikki Daniele, Norma Keyt, Miriam their lives. Others speak about a new found love for the Scriptures, or a Markis and Lenyce Willason. deep desire for daily Mass and Holy Communion. I know of people who Neither the Coordinators nor the Editor necessarily would testify that for years they battled with a particular moral failure. endorse opinions expressed in articles in this Having received sacramental absolution often for the same repeated publication, nor does CCR necessarily endorse sin, it was only after being prayed over for Baptism in the Holy Spirit events mentioned, other than those events listed that they were able to find total freedom from the particular addiction. on page 8. I believe that the graces received are ongoing in that a person’s life Good News is distributed free of charge to continues to be touched by a deepening relationship with Jesus. My registered CCR groups in the Archdiocese of prayer to Jesus is “that He might draw me daily into a deeper and more Melbourne. personal relationship with Him, and that He would give me the gifts that For individuals who would like a copy mailed, the I need to carry out the work He has called me to do.” I also like to reflect annual subscription is $15.00 for four issues. on the humility of Jesus as He made that sorrowful journey to Calvary. All subscription enquiries should be addressed to The sense I have in this is to feel the utter abandonment that Jesus had The CCR Centre, 101 Holden Street, North Fitzroy, to the love of His Father, when in the meaninglessness of His suffering VIC 3068. he trusted even to the moment of His death. Ph: (03) 9486 6544 As Mary struggled with the enormity of the invitation she had just Good News can be downloaded in Adobe Reader format from the CCR website: www.ccr.org.au received, the Archangel Gabriel said to her “...the Holy Spirit will come upon you... for nothing is impossible to God” (Luke 1:35;37).That Unless otherwise indicated, any article printed in pronouncement should be the keynote for every person who accepts Good News may be reproduced without change the precious grace of the Holy Spirit. and in its entirety (acknowledging the source) for non-commercial and non-political purposes On behalf of CCR Melbourne the co-ordinators extend their deep without prior permission from Catholic Charismatic Renewal Melbourne. sympathy to Michael Van Ommen on the recent death of his wife Copyright © 2010 CCR Melbourne. Margaret. For many years Michael has been a leader in the Renewal All rights reserved. in Sydney, and is a former member of the National Service Committee. In recent years Michael has been the manager of the CCR Centre at Rozelle, and is highly respected for his work in the Renewal throughout The deadline for the next issue of Good News is NSW.