RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Day of Reflection and Renewal

At the end of November a Diocesan Day of Renewal and Reflection took place, organised by diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The theme of the day was “The Power of Change”, and the keynote speaker was Fr Chris Thomas, who is a priest of the Liverpool diocese, where he also also leads the Irenaeus project. Fr Chris is part of the Emmaus Family of Prayer charismatic community, in addition to being a member of the National Charismatic Service Team.

The venue for the day was St Anne's, Pennywell, Sunderland, and well over a hundred people gathered together here from all parts of the diocese to fill St Anne's Hall.

The Mass in the afternoon was a Mass of Thanksgiving for the work of Fr Sean Conatywho died earlier this year and who was a well known and much loved priest of the diocese. Fr Sean had been involved in Charismatic Renewal since its beginnings and the outstanding number of people who came to the day was in itself a witness to his work, and to the way he had been instrumental in the Holy Spirit touching so many people's lives and helping them.

After coffee and welcome the day started with inspiring and powerful praise and worship led by the Music Ministry. The Music Ministry group had assembled together specially for the day and comprised several people, with different instruments and voices. The music was really inspiring and Maria Martindale, the leader, helped guide the whole meeting into an atmosphere of holiness and inspired charismatic praise

One of the threads coming from the worship and inspired messages and scripture was that of Light - we walk in the Light and are not in darkness, and the Lord is leading us.

In his talk Fr Chris Thomas in the morning introduced the theme "The Power of Change" by pointing out that in the last 30-40 years there have been enormous changes in culture and lifestyle, and we are constantly moving forward, not living in the past. Our faith too must not be a nostalgia for the way thing were, but we can find God in our present reality - we have to be open to change, it is no use looking to things of the past. Society evolves and God is God of the present moment. The question Fr Chris said we need to look at is: "What is God doing NOW in your life? NOW is the moment of grace."

He looked at the word Metanoia, and helped the participants to see that this means "what you become when you are touched by the grace of God"; it is the process we go through to enter the Kingdom, and which enables us to see God is present in the very air we breathe.

Fr Chris illustrated his talk with a variety of fascinating stories, and in an entertaining and memorable way helped the participants see that Renewal is about deep changes which can enable us to love more, and not only see God everywhere, but also make God present everywhere. When we do this, he said, charisms will flow.

Over a hundred people from all parts of the diocese gathered together for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Day at Sunderland recently.

Over lunchtime there was an opportunity to catch up with friends and exchange news from different parts of the diocese. There was also the opportunity for quiet prayer in the church with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and many people were grateful for this opportunity to reflect on what had been said in the morning, and on how the Lord had spoken to them.

During the day a children's ministry was provided, which enabled parents with young children to come. It was lovely to see so many families and young people there.

After lunch people gathered together for more praise and worship, which was then followed by a second equally absorbing talk from Fr Chris.

He continued the theme from the morning and spoke about Renewal and Change. "One of the blessings of Renewal," he said, "is a call to move beyond ourselves and see the bigger picture - letting God's love and grace flow out of us into the lives of others." We are called to live by GRACE, he said, and he spoke about AGAPE - which is love, but not as in an emotion, but a decision to love. We need the power of God to do this, and this is what Renewal is about - enabling us to realise the love of God and reflect it. He told the participants: "Let the Gift of the Spirit enable you to live in every situation, and let God's light shine through you!"

The Celebration of the Eucharist which followed the talk was inspiring and uplifting, and a real opportunity for moving closer to God.

 

Pat, the Chairman of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese, expressed thanks to everyone who had helped organise the day - the Diocesan Service Team - the Music Ministry - the priests - the speaker - and most especially the parish who so kindly hosted the day.

Everyone present went away inspired and uplifted by a wonderful day and took away a lot to reflect on and pray about.

Commenting on the day Pat Kennedy said: "It was a brilliant turnout today - a real tribute to Fr Sean and it confirmed for us there is a real hunger to be fed by the Word of God and what Baptism and Faith are calling us to."

If you would like to order tapes of the day or would like to find out more about Catholic Charismatic Renewal please email Mrs Pat Kennedy.