|
|
What is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?
by Al Mansfield
What
is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?
The
Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) is an expression of the Catholic Charismatic Movement which
began in the Catholic Church in February 1967 when a group of college students from Duquesne University made a retreat
at the Ark and the Dove Retreat House outside Pittsburgh. On this retreat
God acted sovereignly, poured out His Spirit on the students, and began
giving them charismatic gifts such as those listed in l Corinthians 12-14.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Central to the experience of the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal is what is known as "Baptism
in the Holy Spirit." This is not viewed as some kind of
"eighth sacrament" but rather as a renewal in the Holy Spirit
already received in Baptism and Confirmation. Many Catholic charismatics
testify to a greater sense of the presence and love of God, a greater taste
for prayer and Scripture reading, a desire to witness to others and the
experience of one or more of the charismatic gifts already referred to.
For more information about
Baptism in the Spirit please read the excellent articles by Fr. Harold Cohen,
S.J. and Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, Preacher to the Papal Household.
What the Pope says about the
Charismatic Renewal
The Charismatic Renewal has been warmly welcomed in the Church by Pope
Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Pope Paul addressed some 10,000 Catholic
charismatics in St. Peter's Basilica in May 1975 and called the Charismatic
Renewal a "chance", an "opportunity" for the Church and
the world. Pope John Paul II has met with members of the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal and their leaders on numerous different occasions. At an
audience in May 1987, Pope John Paul said, "The Charismatic Renewal is
an eloquent manifestation of the continued youthful vitality of the Church
today, a bold statement of what 'the Spirit is saying to the Churches' (Rev.
2:7) as we approach the close of the Second Millennium."
Directors of the International Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) in Rome meet regularly with the
Holy Father to keep him abreast of the movement's progress. Many bishops and
priests are active participants in the Charismatic Renewal.
The National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal also represents the Renewal to
the hierarchy in the United States and promotes Baptism in the Spirit nationally through the efforts
at Chariscenter, USA.
CCRNO Mission Statement
CCRNO is an office of the Archidiocese of New Orleans.
CCRNO exist to glorify God, proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord through the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
and to serve the Catholic Church as its renewal
CCRNO desires to renew the experience of Pentecost in the people of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
CCRNO seeks to accomplish this by sponsoring or hosting the following events:
Additionally, the following ministries, which are now independent,
initially sprang from or developed
out of CCRNO:
- Magnificat - A Ministry to Catholic Women
(which sponsors Prayer Breakfasts, Bible Study/Share Groups, Life in the Spirit Seminars,
Retreats, Days of Renewal, Intercessory Prayer Workshops and other and
other teachings and activities for Catholic women) begun by MarilynQuirk.
- Closer Walk
Ministries - An evangelistic outreach of Fr. Harold F. Cohen, S.J.
on radio and television.
-
Monday Night Disciples - Catholic Men's Fellowship and Prayer Group begun by Danny Abramowicz.
- Archdiocesan Pro-Life Ministry.
Local Office
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans operates an office at
the St. Benilde Parish Center, 1901 Division Street, (504) 828-1368, open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
This office sponsors a Weekly Prayer Meeting held at St. Benilde
Parish Church, 1901 Division Street in Metairie at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Also offered at the CCRNO Prayer Meeting at St. Benilde is
an eight-week course called the Life in the Spirit
Seminar. Those who attend are led to a deeper commitment to Christ
and receive prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit ("Baptism in
the Holy Spirit"). A new Life in the Spirit Seminar is organized at
7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every other month.
CCRNO also sponsors a Weekly Prayer Meeting for Teens and Young Adults every Sunday at Archbishop Rummel High School, in the Rummel Raider Room, 7:30 pm. Mass the every last Sunday of the month.
Archdiocesan Prayer Meetings
Catholic Charismatic prayer meetings began in New Orleans in May 1969 with Fr. Harold F.
Cohen, S.J. CCRNO Developed from this initial group. Currently there are approximately
60 groups in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Some groups meet during
the day while others hold nighttime meetings. A typical prayer meeting includes singing,
spontaneous prayer and praise of God, reading from Scripture, personal
testimony and exercise of the charismatic gifts, especially tongues and prophecy.
|
