Publication of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal PPENTECOSTENTECOSTToTo day day January/February/March 2011 Keep the flame alive! Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa appeals to Charismatic Renewal during national conference in St. Paul. See page 10 Parish team evangelization by David Thorp p. 3 Bishop Sam Jacobs addresses those discerning a call to religious life. Why did God start Catholic Charismatic Renewal? by Fr. Bob Hogan p. 4 Renewal Centers: Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Boston p. 6 Focus on Life in the Spirit Seminars by Narciso Albarracin, Jr. p. 8 Leaders’ & Ministries’ Conference p. 10 Diocesan Liaisons p. 13 New life in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. NSC Executive Editor’s Desk Committee Corner ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ by Sr. Martha Jean by Fr. Dave Pivonka McGarry they are out of touch or they don’t Remember in 2 Timothy 1 where we know what worship is. And merely be- are encouraged “to stir into flame” the cause those younger folk never attended gift that has been given to us? This a Notre Dame or Kansas City confer- issue is filled with such stirrings! ence or were not around for the “good ole days” does not mean they are not Power from on high for all genera- walking in the power of the Holy tions was the theme of the recent Spirit. On the contrary, God can, will National Leaders’ and Ministries’ and is using both groups. The evening Conference. You couldn’t be there? was an answer to prayer and a testi- The article beginning on page 10 and mony to God’s faithfulness. (I might Fr. Dave Pivonka in his column on add, it was also a goal of the new mis- page 2 share highlights of this power- sion statement for the NSC.) packed conference. Information is in- Younger & older cluded in this issue on how to purchase The Renewal needs more gatherings talks from the conference (Page 11). hearts together such as this. The Renewal needs the breath of life that young people offer Fr. Bob Hogan continues to delve into have seen a lot of beautiful things and the maturity and experience that the NSC Vision and Mission State- in the 25 years I have been involved those older provide. To be clear, both ments as he draws our attention to Iin the Renewal. are essential for sustained authentic the full role of the Holy Spirit in Char- renewal! It is imperative that we walk ismatic Renewal. I have seen powerful healings. I have this journey together. I believe in car- seen miracles. I have seen the chains rying the torch together. It is about Charisms are for service. David shattered and darkness illuminated. learning from and supporting one an- Thorp encourages and challenges us other and celebrating each other’s gift- in the practical use of the charism of What I was privileged to see on Satur- edness and differences. This is key for evangelization in our parishes. day night of the 2010 National Lead- the Renewal as we move forward. ers’ and Ministries’ Conference held in When is the last time your group pre- St. Paul, Minnesota was one of the most What those blessed to be present at the sented a Holy Spirit Seminar? Narciso beautiful. The conference center’s main conference saw on Saturday night was Albarracin shares his experience on ball room was packed with octogenar- God’s Holy Spirit working in and how the Seminars are a means of ians, Generation Xers, and twenty- through the hearts of his children. There strengthening both your prayer group somethings dancing, singing and wor- were younger children and older chil- and the Church. shiping the Living God. dren but in the end all were children of a loving Father God. I imagine the Still inspiring, still equipping, still It was such a powerful experience to Father delighted in our praise. As the challenging, still blessing—the ar- see the Holy Spirit being poured forth Spirit moved through our gathering I ticles on pages 6 and 7 show us how on such a gathering. Teenagers and do not believe the Spirit was looking the Holy Spirit is active in a variety those old enough to be their grand- at one’s age or credentials but rather of ways today. Three of our diocesan parents were giving prophetic words was looking for an open heart. And Renewal Centers share their Spirit and praying for one another for heal- when the Spirit found one the Spirit stories as they continue to serve in ing. There was something so beauti- made a dwelling place. What a beauti- building the kingdom of God. ful, so right about having a night full ◆ ful sight it was! May the Spirit of God continue to of such power being led by and expe- stir up within us grateful hearts, afire rienced by people of all ages. Simply Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, Formation Di- for spreading the Good News. Keep because those older don’t have an iPod rector for his community, serves on the Ex- ◆ Photo: Sr. Mary Anne Schaenzer Mary Anne Sr. Photo: the flame alive! to listen to Hillsong does not mean ecutive Committee of the NSC. Photos: Cover, pages 4, 7, 10 Tammie Stevens 2 PENTECOSTToday January/February/March 2011 www.nsc-chariscenter.org Ministry empowered by Charism CHARISM A Catalyst for Evangelization: Parish Teams by David Thorp Catholics and the unchurched. Doesn’t The Church knows this. She has a vivid awareness of the fact that the this already sound like most members Savior’s words, “I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of of your prayer group? God,” apply in all truth to herself. She willingly adds with St. Paul: “Not that I boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty that has been One way to draw attention to this es- laid on me; I should be punished if I did not preach it” Pope Paul VI, sential ministry is through the weekly On Evangelization in the Modern World. parish bulletin. A number of brief pam- phlets that describe evangelization can be used as inserts. Another way is to “Must,” “duty laid on me,” “I should Go to your parish’s Director of Reli- plant seeds in people’s minds through be punished:” hard words to hear? But gious Education and volunteer to teach a brief column in the weekly bulletin, these are the words we need to hear. every class of children preparing for First something like “Sharing Your Faith” or They are the truth we are called to bear Communion. Also make this service an “Reaching Out to Those Around You.” as disciples of Jesus Christ. We can opportunity to reach out to their par- speak of a charism of evangelization be- ents. My experience in parish religious A Parish Team works with other groups stowed on some in the Body of Christ. education ministry, confirmed by ev- to help awaken them to the evangeli- We all know such anointed people and ery leader of parish religious education, cal potential of all that they are doing. see the great effect God produces as they is that many children come to class but Greeters can be encouraged to grow in exercise this gift. But, all who have are not at worship with the parish at the charism of hospitality. Visitors who been baptized into Christ are called Sunday Mass. bring communion to the homebound to bear witness, to testify to Christ, can be exhorted to grow in the charism to be bearers of the Good News, to If your parish has a St. Vincent DePaul of healing. Lectors can be encouraged be evangelizers. group caring for the material needs of to deepen their relationship with Jesus, people, join this. Combine the outreach the Living Word, so that their procla- In particular ways, because of God’s of mercy with an evangelical outreach. mation of the Scriptures comes alive. goodness to people who have been bap- Bring to every home visit a crucifix, a On and on it could go, touching every tized in the Spirit, participants in the rosary, a bible. Pray with people. Tell aspect of parish life. Catholic Charismatic Renewal are those whom you are serving about the called to embrace the call to evange- one who is the hope in your life, who In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal lize. For most of us, our prayer groups has sustained you through every trial we have received much: the greatest and our ongoing life as Catholics are in you have faced. News there is. Let us become messen- parishes. What a great field of service, gers of this Great Good News, right in what a great field of mission! Prayer group Be the parish Evangelization Team our parishes. ◆ members can be challenged to use the As a prayer group you could become grace of God in two ways. the Parish Evangelization Team. A Par- If you want specific parish bulletin in- ish Evangelization Team needs to have serts, David Thorp has prepared 26 Be a team in a particular area of basically friendly people with these ready-to-use Thoughts on Evangeliza- parish life characteristics: an interest in parish re- tion. They are yours for the asking: Volunteer to become the RCIA team newal and growth; a personal convic- [email protected]. for your parish. Receive training to ac- tion about the gospel message (you can- company those whom God is leading not share what you do not have); a con- David Thorp, a past mem- to baptism or full communion with the viction that they have something of ber of the NSC, currently Catholic Church.