_________________________________________________________________
Amazing
Grace Report :
40th
Anniversary Celebration of Catholic Charismatic Renewal
On
Saturday 01 September 2007 approximately 90 people from
across the south west came together at St. Boniface Roman
Catholic Comprehensive College and St Peter’s Church,
Crownhill, Plymouth to celebrate and give thanks for 40
years of charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church.
Participants from all corners of the Plymouth Diocese were
joined by a small number from the Clifton Diocese together
with a number of ecumenical guests.
After an initial time of prayer and praise Charles
Whitehead, former chairman of the National Service
Committee for England and Wales and the International
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Committee spoke about
the origins of charismatic renewal from the early
20th
century, its growth
into the traditional ‘main stream’ churches during
subsequent years and eventually in 1967 the beginning of
charismatic renewal in the Catholic church. He also
highlighted the journey of renewal within the Church, the
role of Pope John xiii, the Second Vatican Council and the
guidance of Cardinal Suenens on behalf of the Vatican
during the early years of renewal.
Following Charles extremely enlightening portrait of the
charismatic renewal journey, Dr. Jan and Patrick Knight
from Taunton who have been involved in renewal in the south
west over many years shared their testimonies and the ways
in which charismatic renewal and the Holy Spirit had
influence their lives, not only in the good, but also in
the difficult times.
At noon participants moved to St Peters Church for a joyous
Mass of celebration and thanksgiving. Bishop Christopher
was the principal celebrant with Fr Terry Fleming ( a
former chaplain to CCR in the diocese) and Fr Trevor Jordan
( a current chaplain to CCR in the diocese concelebrating).
The Gospel and Bishop Christopher’s homily were
appropriately about the ‘talents’ which we all receive in
varying degrees and are required to use for the benefit of
‘the Master’. The ‘bidding prayers’ recognised and gave
thanks for the many blessings received by individuals and
the diocese through CCR and also acknowledged the work of
the many people, living and dead, who have served the
diocese and CCR through the years.
Bishop Christopher joined participants for lunch and was
involved in the afternoon prayer and praise which was
followed by a talk by Jenny Baker who worked with Catholic
Evangelisation Services who produce the CaFE programmes and
other resources for use in faith formation.
Jenny shared her story of how, having attended a Celebrate
Conference at Ilfracombe, she felt called to give up her
job. Two weeks after resigning she received an invitation
to work with Catholic Evangelisation Services and has
subsequently travelled through out the UK and overseas as
part of her role presenting and promoting the ‘Good News’.
She was able to provide first hand experience of how
initiatives which came from CCR beginnings have permeated
into many aspects of the Church throughout the world and
how many people through ‘Life in the Spirit’ and similar
programmes have responded to the call to serve their
parishes in a wide range of ministries.
During her session Jenny invited Tom Bonard who is with the
Pathways Community in Plymouth and Rev. Peter Nixson, a
retired Anglican clergyman to share parts of their stories
and the ways in which they had been affected by the Holy
Spirit through involvement in charismatic renewal.
After a short break and a power point presentation
reflecting upon charismatic renewal in the diocese David
Wells spoke briefly about the power of the annual Celebrate
Conference and it’s impact and thanked Charles and Sue
Whitehead for bringing the event to Ilfracombe.
Charles Whitehead then returned to speak about the future
of CCR in the UK and worldwide. He observed that the most
rapidly growing churches ecumenically were those with a
charismatic or evangelical background both in the west and
in developing countries. Charles also spoke about the
authenticity of CCR and the charisms and the recognition
that had taken place within church documents and papal
encyclicals.
In concluding the event Tony Harris, chairman of the
Diocesan Service Team, invited Monica Beck to say a few
words about the ‘flame’ symbol she had designed many years
ago and which has continually been incorporated into all
CCR publicity in the south west. Participants were given
specially produce prayer cards as a souvenir of the day and
the day concluded with a time of general prayer ministry.
Thanks are due to the members of the Diocesan Service Team
and helpers who organised the event and to Keith Taylor,
Tom Bonard and Sarah Harding who provided the music
ministry.
