Publication of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal PENTECOSTToday Summer 2019 in one place · Pentecost 2019 fromPhoto CHARIS New life in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit Chairman’s Editor’s Corner Desk . by Ron Riggins by Sr. Mary Anne Schaenzer, SSND in the unity of those who believe in Christ (Eph 4:11-16). hen I read the word “sandals” in In Pursuit of Unity Ron Riggins’ article concerning the CHARIS captures the unity preached Winauguration of CHARIS, and sandals esus prayed for our unity: “that they by Jesus and later by St. Paul, as Pope spiritually symbolizing readiness to serve, I may all be one” (Jn 17:20-21). And Francis sees baptism in the Holy Spirit recalled a quote regarding sandals: “Put Jin the Nicene Creed we profess as an opportunity for the whole Church. them on and wear them like they fi t.” Or as our belief that the Church is one. He expects those of us who have ex- Ron calls the NSC, Boots on the Ground. The motto in Alexandre Dumas’ novel perienced this current of grace to work CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal The Three Musketeers reflected a commit- together, using our diverse gifts, for International Service) inaugurated by Pope ment to unity: un pour tous, tous pour un unity in the Renewal and ecumenically Francis, is “marked by communion between (“one for all, all for one”). But then in the Body of Christ for the benefit of all the members of the charismatic family, in Frank Sinatra sang what seems to be the whole Church. which the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit today’s motto: “I did it my way.” A is manifested for the good of the entire So here’s our challenge: Let’s commit Church” (p 10). casual glance reveals the cost of today’s to the spirit of unity, embracing the self-focus—a critical spirit, unwilling- Prayer of St. Francis. More articles directly referring to CHARIS: ness to agree, verbal abuse, and disunity. Chairman’s Corner (p 2); before CHARIS Lord, make me an instrument of and now (pp 4-5, Gloria Coyne and Fr. The “culture of disunity” has even per- your peace: Anthony Ouellette); How the Covenant of meated the Catholic Church and the where there is hatred, let me sow love; Understanding paved the way in the US for larger Body of Christ. St. Paul addressed where there is injury, pardon; participating in the CHARIS vision (p 7, Fr. divisions among the Corinthians, encour- where there is doubt, faith; Bob Hogan, BBD). aging them to be of the same mind and where there is despair, hope; Other articles taking up the theme of Unity purpose (1 Cor 1:10). He encouraged where there is darkness, light; are: The mission of The Ark and The Dove, the Ephesians to use spiritual gifts for where there is sadness, joy. “to foster unity…” (p 3) Johnny Bertucci, Unity: the building up of the Body of Christ so unexpected fruit of baptism in the Spirit (p 6) that the Church could grow in fullness Lord, let unity begin with me. Paul Dinolfo, and Our unity with the Trinity (p 11) Jane Guenther. Fr. John Marcucci lays out the work of Vatican PENTECOSTToday Council II, in asking the Council Fathers to Volume 44 Number 3 For Your Information see the role of the Holy Spirit not simply as a “guarantor” of what Christ had completed Executive Director The mission of Pentecost Today is to serve Walter Matthews and be a voice for the National Service in the Church, but as a “co-operator” with Editorial Board Committee’s mission “to foster the dynamic Christ in the life of the Church bringing sal- Jimmy Archer grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit.” We do vation to all people (Lumen Gentium, p 9). Matthew Bourgeois this by publishing articles that instruct and Editor give practical wisdom, with a particular At the Bishops’ retreat with Fr. Raniero Can- Sr. Mary Anne Schaenzer, SSND emphasis on strengthening leaders and talamessa (p 13) Bishop Peter Smith. Production Manager leader formation, in a visually appealing and inviting format. Sharon Fox Transitions, a time of prayer and discern- A limited amount of advertising space is ment (p 8). © 2019 National Service Committee available. For information, contact Sharon of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Fox at [email protected]. Fifty years ago and fi fty years from now (p of the United States, Inc. Not to be Advertisements for events not sponsored by 14) Walter Matthews. reproduced without permission. the National Service Committee do not imply endorsement by the NSC/Chariscenter USA. Sensing the Move of the Spirit—across continents (p 15). 2 PENTECOSTToday Summer 2019 www.nsc-chariscenter.org YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES Pentecost Today! The Ark and The Dove by Johnny Bertucci “…[I]n the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights” (Gen 7:11b-12 RSVCE). his scripture describes the great Dove, home of baptism in the Holy Spir- Renewal worldwide to proclaim the love fl ood that began as Noah waited it—we seek to foster unity with those who of God through his Son Jesus Christ in Tobediently in the ark. When these have received this outpouring and to extend the power of the Holy Spirit. verses were spoken as a prophetic word that grace for generations to come. during the 50th anniversary celebration The Lord spoke through a prophecy given of the Duquesne Weekend on that very Our mission is two-fold: to foster unity during last year’s anniversary celebration day, February 17th, something quick- and to pass on the grace of baptism in saying: “This is not a museum of what I ened in my spirit. They brought to mind the Holy Spirit. have done in the past. I am doing new things, to empower my church for this time, a different ark: a retreat center called The The Ark and The Dove seeks to foster Ark and The Dove where, on the week- the ending times. I am empowering you, unity; this is our clarion call: unity within and I send you to empower my church.” end of February 17, 1967, the fountains the Renewal, unity within the Church, of the great deep burst forth, and the ecumenical unity. For those who profess Individuals and groups from around the windows of the heavens were opened, baptism in the Holy Spirit, this is your world are making pilgrimages to The Ark and the Spirit of God fell upon a small home. Pope Francis has reminded the and The Dove to pray and be refreshed. group of college students. This event Renewal of its ecumenical roots. The Intercession is being offered daily in the began a current of grace called Catholic Ark and The Dove, at the time of the historic chapel. Schools of praise, heal- Charismatic Renewal. That current now Duquesne Weekend, was staffed by the ing, and worship are being offered. courses through the whole world. Ladies of Bethany, a group of nuns from This is your home. Come by to pray Holland invited by the Bishop of Pitts- As Mary, Ark of the Covenant, Spouse and be refreshed. Come by to study and burgh specifi cally to minister to the poor of the Holy Spirit, waiting in the Upper learn more about this grace we call bap- on the streets of Pittsburgh and fos- Room with the disciples, received the tism in the Holy Spirit. Come by to read ter ecumenical encounters. Today, The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at that about our history. Come by and visit, Ark and The Dove is administered by fi rst Pentecost, one can only wonder not as a guest, but as a member of the the fi rst religious order of nuns to come at the role she played in this new Pentecost. family coming home. Just as, through the gift of tongues, people out of the Renewal, the Disciples of the of many different languages were united Lord Jesus Christ (DLJC). Johnny Bertucci is Chair- man of The Ark and by the power of the Holy Spirit as the The Ark and The Dove seeks to extend The Dove, Inc. and past disciples proclaimed Jesus as Lord 2,000 to all the grace of baptism in the Holy Chairman of the NSC. years ago, so that same call to unity Spirit. We are blessed to house a fi rst- is now an integral part of the mission of class relic of Blessed Elena Guerra, this modern-day Ark, as is evidenced by Apostle of the Holy Spirit, a gift from our vision statement: the Brazilian Renewal. The Ark and The Through reclaiming the historic site of the Dove, the very birthplace of the Re- “Duquesne Weekend”—The Ark and The newal, seeks to be a rallying point to the www.nsc-chariscenter.org Summer 2019 PENTECOSTToday 3 BORN TO BE A CURRENT OF GRACE Born to Be a Grace for Unity by Gloria Coyne and Fr. Anthony Ouellette “How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!” - Psalm 133 n January 1, 1901, Pope Leo Unitatis Redintegratio (the Decree on on the powerful role charismatic renew- XIII consecrated the 20th Ecumenism). Pope St. John XXIII al has to unite all Christians, regardless Ocentury to the Holy Spirit and had stated in the opening address of of denominational differences.