International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Serving the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church This issue The challenges to CCR by Pope John Paul II: Holiness Your financial contribution in order to help the mission of ICCRS 2006 ICCRS Event: Meeting with the Holy Father! trip cartoon: The challenge of John Paul II to the CCR: Holiness LEADERSHIP FORMATION Charismatic Workshop: Five criteria for discerning prophecy CCR throughout world: India : Potta - Divine Retreat Ministry Questions to ICCRS Campaing of prayer for financial assistance for ICCRS S LEADERSHIP FORMATION by Peter Thompson s the successor of Peter and chief shepherd on earth, his Holiness John Paul II consistently called A the whole Church to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw the working of the Holy Spirit in the CCR, and, as our shepherd, he called us to that same faithfulness which can only be truly manifested if we res- pond to the call to grow in holiness. The new millenium dawned upon us but six years ago. John Paul II's pontificate was uniquely focused on bringing the Church to this time of profound importance, preparing God's people to celebrate the great Jubilee and to move forward immer- sed in the immeasurable grace and power of God to live this jubilee in ongoing holiness. In his Apostolic letter NMI, he presented us all with the challenge to grow in holiness, reminding us that sanctity is not for the uncommon few but for every single one of us. He goes on to say: "I thank the Lord that in the- se years he has enabled me to bea- tify and canonize a large number of Christians, and among them many lay people who attained holiness in the most ordinary circumstances of life." Today so many of us have access to information that was difficult for earlier generations to obtain. I would like to challenge the readers of this article: Have you read the letters of John Paul II addressed to you? The letters are written to all the Lay faithful, and that means you and me. We would not think of lea- ving personal mail unopened and unread, and hopefully we have read every Epistle in the New Testament. Yet, sadly, the vast majority of Catholics, including those who are active in the CCR, have never read a letter issued by our beloved former Pope John Paul II. The Holy Spirit has consisten- tly spoken to us through him. We say that we desire to hear God's new word to us, yet we neglect to avail ourselves of this holy instruction. I hope that as Pope Benedict XVI begins to issue his thoughts and guidance to us through his letters we will avidly read and digest his words of wisdom for us. John Paul's life was a life of holiness and he could well say with St. Paul. "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1Co 11:1). We would do well to research the lives of some of these newly beatified and canonized Saints and to be encouraged and challenged to imitate them in holiness as they imitated Christ in their lives. Each one of us, in our own unique calling in life, can truly become a saint. In fact, if someone were to ask you “what is your greatest desire and hope?”, then you would respond "Heaven." We desire the fulness of joy and happiness that can only be fulfilled when we are finally united with Christ in Heaven, beholding the Beatific vision. Do we understand that to enter heaven means that we have attained sainthood? Only capital S Saints can enter heaven: “...but nothing profane shall enter it” (Rv 21:27). That is why the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints every year on November 1st, rejoicing in the vast unnamed throng of those who have embraced fully the purifying fires of God's love in their lives; who have died in perfection or completed that purification in Purgatory, and who now behold the face of God. Many of us set our sights too low. Surely we should be embracing the immeasurable graces that are available to us now; graces that make it possible for us to co-operate fully with Christ and to grow daily in holiness so that when Christ calls us to himself, we will be perfectly ready to enter into our glorious home. During John Paul II's Pontifi- cate he strove to raise our cons- ciousness and understanding of the Doctrine of Indulgences: he issued Papal Bulls proclaiming the Jubilee plenary indulgence for the year 2000, and last year he expan- ded the plenary indulgence for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the year of the Eucharist. To gain a plenary indulgence is to be in a state of Grace and holiness, with all temporal punishment due to past forgiven sins removed totally. Few people avail themselves of this means to grow in holiness and perfection, mainly due to a lack of knowledge of Catholic teaching. The call to holiness is rooted in the words of Jesus: "In a word you must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5:48). If this were impossible, why would He call us to that perfection? If we attempt to attain perfection on our own, it is utterly impossible; but with the grace of God, holiness is attainable. Let the Holy Spirit have his way with you as he seeks to perfect you in the fruits of the Spirit which are the true marks of holiness (Ga 5: 22-23). As John Paul II exhorted, let us be docile to the Holy Spirit. In other words, let us be teachable; let us hold fast to all the teachings of Christ given to us through his Holy Catholic Church; let us not only be hearers of the word but doers of the word, living life to the full in Christ Jesus who strengthens and transforms us into his image and likeness. Then, by the grace of God, as St. Thomas More said: "may we merrily meet in heaven.” The challenges to CCR by Pope John Paul II:
Transcript
International Catholic
Charismatic Renewal
Services
Serving
the Charismatic Renewal
in the Catholic Church
This issue
The challenges to CCR byPope John Paul II:Holiness
Your financial contributionin order to help the mission of ICCRS
2006 ICCRS Event:Meeting with the Holy Father!
trip cartoon:The challenge of John Paul IIto the CCR: Holiness
LEADERSHIP FORMATION
Charismatic Workshop:Five criteria for discerningprophecy
CCR throughout world:India : Potta - Divine Retreat Ministry
Questions to ICCRS
Campaing of prayer forfinancial assistance for ICCRS
S
LEADERSHIP FORMATION
by Peter Thompson
s the successor of Peter and chief shepherd on earth, his Holiness John Paul II consistently called A
the whole Church to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw the working of the Holy Spirit in the CCR, and, as our shepherd, he called us to that same faithfulness which can only be truly manifested if we res-pond to the call to grow in holiness.
The new millenium dawned upon us but six years ago. John Paul II's pontificate was uniquely focused on bringing the Church to this time of profound importance, preparing God's people to celebrate the great Jubilee and to move forward immer-sed in the immeasurable grace and power of God to live this jubilee in ongoing holiness.
In his Apostolic letter NMI, he presented us all with the challenge to grow in holiness, reminding us that sanctity is not for the uncommon few but for every single one of us. He goes on to say: "I thank the Lord that in the-se years he has enabled me to bea-tify and canonize a large number of Christians, and among them many lay people who attained holiness in the most ordinary circumstances of life."
Today so many of us have access to information that was difficult for earlier generations to obtain. I would like to challenge the readers of this article: Have you read the letters of John Paul II addressed to you? The letters are written to all the Lay faithful, and that means you and me. We would not think of lea-ving personal mail unopened and unread, and hopefully we have read every Epistle in the New Testament. Yet, sadly, the vast majority of Catholics, including those who are active in the CCR, have never read a letter issued by our beloved former Pope John Paul II.
The Holy Spirit has consisten-tly spoken to us through him. We say that we desire to hear God's new
word to us, yet we neglect to avail ourselves of this holy instruction. I hope that as Pope Benedict XVI begins to issue his thoughts and guidance to us through his letters we will avidly read and digest his words of wisdom for us.
John Paul's life was a life of holiness and he could well say with St. Paul. "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1Co 11:1). We would do well to research the lives of some of these newly beatif ied and canonized Saints and to be encouraged and challenged to imitate them in holiness as they imitated Christ in their lives. Each one of us, in our own unique calling in life, can truly become a saint. In fact, if someone were to ask you “what is your greatest desire and hope?”, then you would respond "Heaven." We desire the fulness of joy and happiness that can only be fulfilled when we are finally united with Christ in Heaven, beholding the Beatif ic vision. Do we understand that to enter heaven means that we have attained sainthood? Only capital S Saints can enter heaven: “...but nothing profane shall enter it” (Rv 21:27). That is why the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints every year on November 1st, rejoicing in the vast unnamed throng of those who have embraced fully the purifying fires of God's love in their lives; who have died in perfection or completed that purification in Purgatory, and who now behold the face of God.
Many of us set our sights too low. Surely we should be embracing the immeasurable graces that are available to us now; graces that make it possible for us to co-operate fully with Christ and to grow daily in holiness so that when Christ calls us to himself, we will be perfectly ready to enter into our glorious home.
During John Paul II's Pontifi-cate he strove to raise our cons-ciousness and understanding of
the Doctrine of Indulgences: he issued Papal Bulls proclaiming the Jubilee plenary indulgence for the year 2000, and last year he expan-ded the plenary indulgence for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the year of the Eucharist. To gain a plenary indulgence is to be in a state of Grace and holiness, with all temporal punishment due to past forgiven sins removed totally. Few people avail themselves of this means to grow in holiness and perfection, mainly due to a lack of knowledge of Catholic teaching.
The call to holiness is rooted in the words of Jesus: "In a word you must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5:48). If this were impossible, why would He call us to that perfection? If we attempt to attain perfection on our own, it is utterly impossible; but with the grace of God, holiness is attainable. Let the Holy Spirit have his way with you as he seeks to perfect you in the fruits of the Spirit which are the true marks of holiness (Ga 5: 22-23).
As John Paul II exhorted, let us be docile to the Holy Spirit. In other words, let us be teachable; let us hold fast to all the teachings of Christ given to us through his Holy Catholic Church; let us not only be hearers of the word but doers of the word, living life to the full in Christ Jesus who strengthens and transforms us into his image and likeness.
Then, by the grace of God, as St. Thomas More said: "may we merrily meet in heaven.”
The challenges to CCR by Pope John Paul II:
€€
by Nicholas Chia
For those in the United States, it will be US$ 1.00; in Europe, it will be € 1.00; and from others like myself in Singapore, it will be S$1.00. Those who wish to give more are more than welcome to do so.
We will have hundreds and thousands of South African Rands, Agentinian/Mexican/Philippino Pesos, Brazilian Reais, Chinese Yuans, Australian $, Pound Sterling, Canadian $, Pakistani & Indian Rupees, Indonesian Rupiahs, Malaysian Ringgits, Spanish Pestas and soles, and many other currencies, because we have hundreds & thousands of people in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal all over the world.
So, 1st or 3rd world countries, we can all help to ensure the survival of ICCRS.
Wow! After we have collected all our different currencies and converted them into Euros or USD, ICCRS will have the money needed to fulfill its mission.
Did I not say “We have the money”?
Now, let us take it out of our pockets!
Remember, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
All our prayer groups worldwide have been blessed by ICCRS at one time or another. Now it is time for ICCRS to receive.
Let us have just one collection at our prayer meeting, for just one
time for our “one dollar” G.O.D. project.
God Bless you!
Nicholas ChiaChair Person
Finance CommitteeICCRS
Your Financial contribution in order to help the mission of ICCRS
What does ICCRS do?How does ICCRS operate?
What can you do?ICCRS Goals & Objectives in the light of our Statutes
I n case we have forgotten the “mission” of ICCRS, we can be reminded once again by visiting ICCRS's web-site: www.iccrs.org.
Art. 8 of our Statutes states that “ICCRS serves the CCR world-wide as a centre of unity, communication and co-operation in order to fulfill Christ's desire: 'That they may be one' (Jn 17:21) and to keep Christ's body free of divisions (1 Co 12:4-31). This unity has to be understood within the context of diversity since inside the CCR different forms & manifestations can be, and in fact are, present.”
We have many willing & gifted volunteers who offer their time and service to the world-wide renewal. There is also a “financial” cost to achieving our objectives and goals! Some time ago, Fr Bart Pastor wrote to us and gave us many, many reasons why we should donate to ICCRS. His article took up many pages.
On 8 November 2005, our President, Allan Panozza, wrote a letter to “Friends of Catholic Charismatic Renewal” appealing for financial help. In the last paragraph of his letter he wrote: “I can assure you my dear brothers and sisters that the effects will be very serious for the world-wide Catholic Charismatic Renewal if ICCRS is forced to close its doors at the Vatican office in Rome”.
Our President appealed for two things:
1) Your Prayers, and
2) 1,000 individual benefactors of CCR from around the world to make an urgent “once-off” generous donation of US $500.00 / € 500.00 to alleviate ICCRS's immediate financial plight.
In other words, we need about US $500,000.00 or € 500,000.00 URGENTLY!
Renewed People of God, rejoice!!! Good News……we have the money but it is still in our pockets!!
Therefore, borrowing this idea from my parish, let us start our $1 Project “G.O.D” - Give Our Donation… of only $1 in our own local currency... to ICCRS.
1)
2)
Your Financial contribution in order to help the mission of ICCRS
Due to financial difficulties, ICCRS is unable to fullfil all of the many projects which we
believe the Lord has given us to do.
Please begin a program of intercessory prayer in your community and prayer groups that
the Lord provide financial resources to allow ICCRS to proceed to this service.
Thank you for joining us in prayer!!!
If you want to support ICCRS please contact us :
ICCRS, Palazzo della Cancelleria
00120 Vatican City
and/or visit our special web page at:
www.iccrs.org/support.htm
Campaign of prayer for financial assistance for ICCRS The Cross of the Renewal ®The Cross of the Renewal ®
The words "Veni
Creator Spiritus"
expresses our fervent
prayer for the
continued outpouring
of the Holy Spirit
The outpouring of
blood and water from
the side of Jesus
crucified symbolizes
the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit
Its use gives witness
to our involvement in
the Renewal
Movement of the Holy
Spirit in the Catholic
Church
Wearing it as a label pin or a pendent, says "I belong".
When you see others wearing the same symbol, it
generates recognition in a given community. A unique
symbol will prompt people to ask questions. This will
present for you a wonderful opportunity to evangelize!
It is our hope that all who have experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will wear this symbol as a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Let's see together 4 good reasons to wear and use it:
PE
NTE
CO
ST
20
06
We rejoiced when we heard that Pope Benedict XVI had expressed a desire to meet
with all the Ecclesial Movements on the Vigil of Pentecost 2006. I am sure that many of you will
recall the previous gathering with Pope John Paul II in 1998.
The new Holy Father clearly values the contribution that the Ecclesial Movements
make to the life of the Church, and it will be a great privelege for us to celebrate Pentecost with
him. This historic gathering is also very pertinent for us in the CCR as February 2007 marks our
40th anniversary. So we can use this Pentecost to be refreshed and enthused, and to develop a
vision for all that the Holy Spirit has in store for the future.
In response to the Holy Father's invitation, ICCRS is organising a variety of events
around Pentecost in preparation for our 40th anniversary. On 3 June, we will gather in St.
Peter's Square in Rome with members of other Ecclesial Movements for the Pentecost Vigil.
Then, on Pentecost Sunday, there will be an opportunity for members of the world-wide CCR to
join with thousands of brothers and sisters from Italian Charismatic realities to simply celebrate
the goodness of the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit.
On 4 June, we will move to Fiuggi for the International Open Conference. This
Conference will be a wonderful opportunity to experience coming together as brothers and
sisters from the world-wide CCR. The Conference is open to all people, and so provides an
opportunity for those who are new to the CCR to experience a large international gathering, as
well as being a place for those who have attended previous events to meet again with old friends
and forge new relationships in the Spirit. The programme will help us to look back and reflect
upon the graces of the renewal over the last 40 years. Some of our speakers have been involved
in the CCR since the beginning, for example Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan and Fr. Tom Forrest.
During the Conference we will also reflect upon the Baptism of the Spirit as a gift for the whole
Church, and we will look at some of the challenges that are facing the CCR in the future. Our
invited speakers are coming from all the continents, including Fr. Diego Jaramillo (Colombia),
Fr. Bart Pastor (Philippines), and Charles Whitehead (England). There will also be contributions
from the various members of the ICCRS Council.
Following the Open Conference, we will be holding an International Leaders'
Colloquium from 9 - 11 June for up to 300 invited leaders. The aim of this Colloquium is to share
and learn from each other, but also, perhaps more importantly, to listen to the Lord together and seek His vision and plans for the world-wide CCR.
For those who are not attending the Leaders' Colloquium, there will be optional pilrimages to Assisi or San Giovanni Rotondo.
Of course, all of these plans mean nothing without people! We encourage all of you to think seriously during this special season of grace about participating in these events. Please try
to respond favourably to the Holy Father's invitation. We at ICCRS are doing all that we can to facilitate the coming together of large numbers of people from the world-wide
CCR for this unique occassion and in preparation for our anniversary year. Further details about the events and a registration form are available on our website www.iccrs.org.
Don't waste any time! Mobilise your people now and let us make Pentecost 2006 a truly memorable occassion!
Please try
to respond favourably to the Holy Father's invitation. We at ICCRS are doing all that we can to facilitate the coming together of large numbers of people from the world-wide
CCR for this unique occassion and in preparation for our anniversary year www.iccrs.org
ome ca
le rate nd ce bt get r!o he
comel te
and ce ebra etog ther!MEETING WITH THE HOLY FATHER!MEETING WITH THE HOLY FATHER!
2006 ICCRS EVENT:MEETING WITH THE HOLY FATHER!MEETING WITH THE HOLY FATHER!
Michelle Moran
Please fully complete, sign and send this form (with either cash, or cheque or your card details and signature) to:ICCRS, Palazzo della Cancelleria, 00120 Vatican City, Europe
ICCRS NEWSLETTER PERSONAL SUBSCRIPTION
I wish to: start renew cancel my subscription to the ICCRS Newsletter.
my language choice: English Italian French Spanish German Portuguese
I would like to receive the ICCRS Newsletter by e-mail but I cannot pay
by e-mail
by ordinary mail
Payment Detai ls
by cash:
Ordinary Newsletter subscription by E-MAIL € 20.00 (or equivalent)
bank transfers: (only for italy): to ICCRS, Banca di Roma -Acct. #65056232, ABI 03002, CAB 05022.(only for E.U. countries): to ICCRS, Banca di Roma - IBAN: IT45G0300205022000065056232 & B.I.C. BROMITR1211Note: Outside EU, please, do not use BT, as Bank charges for us are high.
by credit card: VISA EUROCARD MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS
card number: expiry date
Newsletter subscription by MAIL € 30.00 (or equivalent)
TOTAL:
Send by registered mail
Signature of card holder ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date__________________________ Signature of purchaser ___________________________________________
Donation for a poor subscriber € 30.00
Numbers of copies: cost:
* From Jan 2005 the Newsletter has been distributed, to all our subscribers who are able to connect to the internet, by E-MAIL. The suggested price is € 20 or equivalent per year;* The Newsletter will be sent by MAIL only to those who clearly request this service on the form and who are able to pay € 30 per year (including postal expenses);* Free subscriptions to the Newsletter will be granted ONLY by E-MAIL and ONLY to those from the poorer countries who clearly ask for it on the form. Such requests must be renewed each year;
ICCRS reserves the right to remove from its mailing list any person who has not renewed their subscription for the current year.
So, we invite you to renew your subscription RIGHT NOW by sending us or confirming with us the e-mail address to which you want the Newsletter to be sent. Please don't forget to let us know if you change your email address in the future. This will ensure that you continue to receive the Newsletter without interruption. Also, please remember to send us your financial contribution as early as you are able to. Your financial support is essential to enable us to continue to produce and distribute the Newsletter.
Please, don't forget to accompany our service with your prayer. May God bless each of you with his Holy Spirit.
