The Road to Pentecost

Transcription

1 AUGUST 2010 The pilgrimage began in Rome as Miralda and Claude Lopez (who organised this Spirit filled pilgrimage) went ahead of us to prepare for the ICCRS conference in Assisi. Our tour guide in Rome was a wonderful lady by the name of Antonietta. She led us around Rome like a mother duck caring for her ducklings and thanks to her knowledge and skill we experienced so much of the rich Christian history of Rome in only 3 days. From the massive grandeur of St Peter s and the Vatican Museums to the beautiful intimacy of the Church of the Martyrdom of St Paul (where we had one of our many charismatic masses) we stood in awe and wonder at all that the grace of God has accomplished in the Eternal city. From Rome we headed off to Assisi where we experienced the joy of the ICCRS Road to Pentecost Intercession conference. The praise time together with so many brothers and sisters from all around the world was truly uplifting. The plenary sessions and workshops on various aspects of intercession were an inspiration which reached its apex with the Pentecost vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. The finale was a parade of nations (with us in our Aussie attire waving our flags) through the streets of Assisi to Pentecost day mass with the Bishop of Assisi. After a day going to the holy places of Assisi, our pilgrimage The Road to Pentecost By FR SIMON WAYTE, MGL The newsletter of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Melbourne, Australia. continued through Loreto to Medjugorje. The trip overnight crossing the Adriatic sea in the ship was a peaceful moment to reflect of the wonder of the previous days. At Medjugorje we joined in the masses and prayers at the Church praying many rosaries there and as we climbed Mount Krizevac. When we returned to Italy we were able to visit the church of the Eucharistic miracle at Lanciano. It was inspiring to see up close the Sacred Host which had changed to real flesh and to reflect on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The last part of our pilgrimage took us to South Korea and the Kkottongnae community. We had a 3 day program at Kkottongnae that allowed us to experience the practical love of this charismatic community. We toured the main Kkottongnae complex that covers a few hectares where over 2000 people live. It is here that the elderly, the disabled and those abandoned by society are lovingly cared for by the brothers and sisters of the community. It took a while to get used to changing from shoes to slippers when entering any building (especially for those of us with big feet like me), but it highlighted the sense of respect that permeates Kkottongnae. As pilgrims we had the opportunity to experience first hand caring for the elderly and disabled and despite the language barrier we found that love crosses all barriers. On the last day we visited the shrines of the martyrs in Seoul. While over 100 martyrs have been canonized we were informed that there had been thousands killed for the faith. These martyrs are an ongoing inspiration for the Korean church that has grown very rapidly in recent years. In a Nutsell PAGE 3 Teaching & Formation PAGE 4-5 Signs and Wonders PAGE 6 A Word... From Miriam PAGE 7 Mark your Diary PAGE 8

2 CHAIRMAN S COLUMN For enquiries about Catholic Charismatic Renewal, its events or prayer groups visit the: CCR CENTRE 101 Holden Street North Fitzroy VIC 3068 (Car Park entry in Dean Street) Telephone: (03) Fax: (03) centre@ccr.org.au The Centre is open 10.00am pm, Monday - Friday, except Public Holidays. Good News Good News is published quarterly, on each Renewal Day (see Page 8). Editor: Lenyce Willason goodnews@ccr.org.au Assistant Editor: Andrea Baxter Editorial Assistant: Mary Crawford Distribution: CCR Centre Team Printing: Newtone Press Articles, news items and other contributions should be sent to the editor at the above address. Good News is published by Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia, by the Co-ordinators: Allan Panozza (Chairman), Claude Lopez, Diana Tominac, Nikki Daniele, Norma Keyt, Miriam Markis, Lenyce Willason and John Duiker. Neither the Coordinators nor the Editor necessarily endorse opinions expressed in articles in this publication, nor does CCR necessarily endorse events mentioned, other than those events listed on page 8. Good News is distributed free of charge to registered CCR groups in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. For individuals who would like a copy mailed, the annual subscription is $15.00 for four issues. All subscription enquiries should be addressed to The CCR Centre, 101 Holden Street, North Fitzroy, VIC Ph: (03) Good News can be downloaded in Adobe Reader format from the CCR Web Site: The deadline for the next issue of Good News is Monday 11 October Two Dimensions of the Charismatic Renewal In the document Tertio Millennio Adveniente Pope John Paul II referred to the importance of both the Institutional and the Charismatic dimensions of the Church. The Institutional and Charismatic aspects are co-essential as it were to the Church s constitution. They contribute although differently, to the life, renewal, and sanctification of the people of God. I believe that in essence this statement is also relevant to the Charismatic Renewal itself. Catholic Charismatic Renewal is correctly perceived as being one of the New Ecclesial Movements which have come into being since the Second Vatican Council. However the Charismatic Renewal is really much more than that. It is best described as being a moving of the Holy Spirit, wherein people who respond by yielding to His power, may experience the presence of God s love and action in their lives. We have seen ample evidence of the powerful grace which flows from being baptised or released in the Holy Spirit. Millions of Catholics worldwide have found their lives transformed through a simple prayer of surrender to the Holy Spirit, the principle effect of which is to enter into a new and ever deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. Let us consider for a moment two important fundamentals of our Catholic tradition, namely the Eucharist, and faith in Jesus Christ. I have always had a deep devotion for the Sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist, but after I was baptised in the Holy Spirit I experienced a powerful insight into the reality of this mystery. One morning as I was leaving a church following Mass and Holy Communion, the words of Jesus in St. John s Gospel suddenly hit me like a bombshell. I was literally overcome with the sheer power of his promise:...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him... (John 6:56) Until that moment my Institutional understanding of the Eucharist had been a belief which I simply accepted as a fact. Yes! This is truly Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity, present under the appearance of bread. However, in that moment of absolute certainty I received a Charismatic insight into the truth and power of the presence of Jesus living in me and I in him. This was for me an outpouring of grace, in which the Holy Spirit convicted the essence of my being with a knowledge which was beyond my capacity to attain through human intellect. Jesus really lives in me! I really live in Jesus! Similarly, the Church proclaims the gospel invitation of Jesus....Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me... (John 14:1). This is the Institutional dimension of the call of Jesus to trust in him. Time and again Jesus invited his disciples to trust in him. He deplored the absence of faith amongst his own people, and even berated the apostles...where is your faith... (Luke 8:25) It was only after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that these same men were able to put their faith in the risen Christ to the extent that they were each prepared to die for him. The miracles wrought by the apostles occurred through their dependence on Jesus, and the knowledge that he still remained with them through their faith in his presence. Through the Charismatic gift of faith the early Church grew daily in numbers, and by shedding their blood the martyrs demonstrated not only their faith, but their total dependence on Jesus. Many times when praying with others I have shared with them the call of Jesus to trust in him. I have contemplated within my own life what it means to depend on Jesus, and I now experience through the Charismatic dimension of the Renewal that not only should I trust in Jesus, but I must also depend on Jesus. It relies upon the intervention of the Holy Spirit in my life leading me to say with absolute faith I depend on you, Jesus even when my prayers do not seem to be answered as I would wish. Allan Panozza 2 GOOD NEWS

3 IN A NUTSHELL God s Gangster! Men Only! I had what I thought was everything. Money, power, girls, drugs, the lot. But yet there was something missing... Catholic Charismatic Renewal launches a new initiative for men. An invitation is extended to all men to come along to meet John Pridmore and hear his story of the journey from Gangland to Promised Land. John has spent many years of his life in and out of prison and being a gangster running organized crime, yet there was something missing. John now works full time for God telling his story all over the earth. Saturday 23 October 2010, CCR will host a BBQ lunch followed by John s testimony. The day will be from 12.30pm to 4.00pm. No charge, but all donations will be accepted. See back page for further details. John will be in Australia for October this year as the guest of the Young Men of God and Australian Catholic University. Called by the Spirit By AURELIO FRAGAPANE Just after having decided that I was going to drop out of Year 12 in 1991, due to a lack of purpose, confidence and meaning in my life, I heard the Good News proclaimed by Fr John Powell on an audio tape during a class at St Joseph s College, North Melbourne. The parable of the Prodigal Son which he explained had a deep impact on me and caused me to pray to God and eventually return to the Church and begin to enter into a personal relationship with God through prayer. Not only did I receive help from God through prayer to complete Year 12, but also to complete thirteen years of tertiary education, obtaining 5 degrees. (Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Theology, Diploma in Philosophy, Graduate Diploma in Primary and Secondary Education and Masters in Theological Studies). In 1992 I was invited to a youth retreat in Whittlesea. Just before we arrived, I found out that it was a Charismatic weekend. I was afraid and wanted to return home, however there was no way to get home. During the next 2 days, two significant events took place changing the direction of my life. Firstly, after much hesitation, I was baptised in the Holy Spirit and experienced immense joy and peace. I accepted for the first time in my life that Jesus died for me and decided that I was now going to live for Jesus. Secondly, whilst praying before the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for a few minutes I asked the person next to me, What is it? the person whispered, Jesus. This year, on the 12 September, at Our Lady Help of Christians, 49 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, I will take my turn to proclaim the Good News at my First Mass as a Priest. Ironically, the Gospel that Sunday happens to be the parable of the Prodigal Son. The Holy Spirit and the People of God have guided me over the last 18 years so that I may become a voice, calling all those who are hungry for the Bread of Life to return to the House of the Father. I extend an invitation to all Prayer Group members to attend my Ordination or First Mass: 11 September Ordination to the Priesthood, 10.00am, St Patrick s Cathedral 12 September First Mass, 3.00pm Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, On reading the last edition of Good News I was struck by the small item A Testimony by Katherine Lengel. She made a comment about being able to invite Him into her home, as a guest. Oh Katherine, he doesn t want to be just a guest, he is always with you and doesn t have to be invited into your life but invited to be a member of your family in all its facets. I pray that I may always be aware of his nearness. I talk to him informally whether I am gardening, working in the house, resting or whatever. I don t simply pray for miracles I expect them and usually get what I ask for, provided, of course, that it is good for me. I am 91 years of age and can honestly say I have had some very special moments with him (some almost unbelievable). I believe that his deep wish is to be with us, comfortable in our homes and taking part in our daily lives, NOT as a guest in the house but as a member of the family, as our brother in fact. Let him always be there and you can go to him with all your troubles and joys, have little conversations with him not necessarily prayers. If you are in danger he will stand between you and whatever the danger is safeguarding you. Always remember that you are an important member of his family extended though it is, and whatever you give to the Lord with love will be returned in full, pressed down and running over. Jesus said so. Mrs Mary L Ralph Fr. Wahid Riad is celebrating 25 years of Priesthood Fr Wahid Riad, and the St Clement of Rome Parish Community invite you to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination on Tuesday 17 August Mass will be celebrated at St Clement of Rome, Egan Drive, Bulleen at 7.30pm followed by supper. Parish celebration on Sunday 15 August Mass will be celebrated at St Clement of Rome at 11.00am followed by lunch. School of Evangelisation Courses Friday - Sunday, 8-10 October 2010 Parishes on Fire Conference. St Clements, Bulleen. For details call Adrian Friday - Sunday, October 2010 Emmaus Course. St Scholastica s, Bennettswood. For details call Maria GOOD NEWS

4 An important charism in leadership is that a leader should lead. Others in the group will follow where a good leader shows the way. Allan Panozza Teaching & Formation Leadership in Catholic Charismatic Renewal I have sometimes heard it said...the Charismatic Renewal needs to be renewed itself! Irrespective of whether this is correct or not, I absolutely believe that the Renewal is first and foremost the work of God. The Lord thought of Catholic Charismatic Renewal before we did! Since the late sixties commencing in the USA, we have been witness to an extraordinary outpouring of God s Grace which has extended throughout the world and literally transformed the spiritual lives of millions of Catholics. In the Jubilee year 2000 an international survey commissioned by the ICCRS office in Rome showed the remarkable figure of just on 120 million Catholics worldwide who had experienced a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in what we have come to call the Baptism (or Release) of the Holy Spirit. I sincerely believe at this point of time that Catholic Charismatic Renewal worldwide must continue to address the need for the ongoing formation of committed, informed and Spirit led leaders in prayer groups and communities. In that context we should recognise first of all that leadership in CCR is a call from God. It is not only the choice of a person who may possess outstanding gifts, or even real sanctity in their lives, or perhaps be convinced that they should be a leader in the prayer group. It is about responding with real humility to the invitation of the Holy Spirit to become part of a leadership team who will listen corporately in prayer to the promptings of the Spirit. I believe that the ultimate responsibility of a leadership team is to bring others into a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each leader can only do this if his/her own life is a witness to what Jesus calls each of us to be on this journey of faith. That is clearly expressed by St. Paul when he advises the young Timothy be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. (1Tim: 12) Let us look then at some attributes which should be present in those who would accept the call of Jesus to leadership in the Renewal. Leaders in CCR should make this their prime work in the Church. It would not do justice to this important task to treat it as being merely another role to be allocated just a share of available time. Not only should prayer group leaders attend the weekly prayer meeting, but they should also meet at a separate time each week with the other members of the leadership team (Core Group), in order to pray and discern together what the Lord is doing in the group. An important charism in leadership is that a leader should lead. Others in the group will follow where a good leader shows the way. I believe that although there should be a designated person who is termed the Group leader, nevertheless the charism of leadership is vested in the Core group. Corporate discernment is more likely to be right, as distinct from only one person perhaps a very strong willed person making all the decisions. Important matters can be discussed and then prayed about before the Core group actually votes on a particular direction. It might be agreed that a really important matter will be decided by a vote which must be unanimous, whereas the usual manner of voting on most proposals might be simply for a majority choice. The group leader would be responsible to propose such guidelines and implement them in the decision making process. Have the courage not to limit the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but encourage all those present to be open to receive the gifts he wants us to have. For example, limiting the Spirit would be: Let s not exercise the gift of praying in tongues tonight because we will have guests at the meeting who will not understand. Pray for listening ears. It is important for a leader to listen attentively to what a person is saying before interrupting the conversation with some ready answer which might be out of his /her human spirit, and is not being prompted by what the Holy Spirit wants to do. A good leader is one who serves the body. At the last Supper Jesus assumed the task of a servant by washing the feet of his disciples: If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other s feet. (John 13: 14) A good leader will be constant in his/her relationship with others, not favouring the more important people, but treating all as being equally important in the eyes of God. Ask Jesus to give you the precious gift of humility. That does not mean to put down or understate your own gifts, but rather acknowledge that your gifts are from God, and that you trust Jesus will lead you to use your gifts for the good of others. Learn to practice the virtue of humility in recognising that as a leader you will be criticised. Accept criticism and correction, and simply move on. I often say that there are no pats on the back for being in leadership. A most important Word by which a leader should be guided can be found in the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. You are well aware then, that anybody who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain to be attacked. (2 Tim 3:12) I believe that a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal must use all of God s graces available to us. I personally recommend where possible the frequent reception of Jesus in the Eucharist, and regular attendance at the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I remember hearing a priest some years ago say that he had not been to Reconciliation for about two years. I knew this man to be a good priest, but such an admission seemed to indicate that he was hardly exercising the prudence and wisdom that one should hope to possess as a leader with the responsibility to guide and teach others. If we do not attend this healing Sacrament regularly, we are like the frog which is dropped into a saucepan of cold water, and the temperature is slowly increased until the frog is boiled to death without realising what is happening to it. Remember that no leader possesses all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as no individual can lay claim to having all the gifts. However, I believe that within the wider community all of the gifts should be present. The role of good leadership is to affirm the gifts in the community, and to draw them forth as the whole body affirms the gifts by the fruits which they produce. The leader must have a commitment to daily prayer in some form. I never presume to tell a person how they should pray. For some it is with the Scriptures. With others it might be attendance at daily Mass, or spending time before the Blessed Sacrament. It may simply be sitting quietly and growing into an awareness of the love of God. I like to consider any prayer as simply communing with God. The success or failure of a leader will ultimately be measured by the example of their lives. What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23) which are evident in their leadership within the Renewal? In the end people will be moved not by what the leader says but by the witness of his/her life. A good axiom is Don t just do what I say do what I do! A good leader will not treat others as if we are all in the army, but will demonstrate in his/her role of leadership the traits of tolerance and forgiveness. Having said that, it is also incumbent on the leadership team to exercise correction where necessary. If there is a potential problem developing within the group it must be effectively dealt with before it has the power to divide and even fragment the community. The one certain ingredient for failure is disunity. It will become like a virulent cancer within the body. When the brothers James and John approached Jesus seeking to have a higher role, the other ten Apostles felt indignant. Jesus admonished them by pointing out that this was the way of the world where so-called leaders sought to exercise authority over others. His words were direct and to the point. This is not to happen to you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be servant to all. (Mark 10: 41-45) My final word of advice to leaders in Catholic Charismatic Renewal is to never forget that we are members of the Body of Christ - the Church. When teaching on the sanctity of marriage in his letter to the people of Ephesus, St Paul uses as a graphic example the relationship between Christ and the Church. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body and we are its living parts (Eph 5: 29-30). As a person especially called by Jesus to be deeply involved in his work of renewing the Church, the leader in a Catholic Charismatic prayer group or community should have a desire to grow in love for the Church, and deepen his/ her relationship with it. At this time when it seems to be easy to criticise the Church for things which have been failings during recent years, it is good to remember that the Church is our mother. Mahatma Gandhi once said: You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty! It seems to me that this philosophy is one which as leaders in Catholic Charismatic Renewal we should always apply in relationship to the Church. Let me now close with a prayer of commitment written especially for leaders in Catholic Charismatic Renewal by a very prayerful lady, who served for many years as a much loved leader in a Melbourne prayer group. You did not choose Me, no, I chose you and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last, and then the Father will give you anything you ask Him in My Name. What I command you is to love one another (John 15:16-17). Lord, I accepted the role of Leader in answer to your call. I thank you for your trust in me to shepherd the flock in our Catholic Charismatic Prayer Community. As I re-commit to continuing my role as a leader, I ask once more for the anointing of Your Holy Spirit. Inspire me again to follow courageously in Your footsteps, Lord. Help me to keep close to You through prayer. Renew my mind with Your Holy Scriptures as I seek to mould the hearts and minds of each person who attends the Meetings. Especially grace our Core Group with your Holy Spirit of love, peace, unity, understanding and, most importantly, forgiveness of each other because of personality clashes. I ask You, Jesus, to heal my heart from any hurts I have received from misunderstandings of others in the Core group. Help all of us to focus only on You Jesus, our Lord and Master, and seek to do only Your Will and not our own. Truly bless our Prayer Meeting with all the Fruits of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, once more I freely commit myself to Your service. 4 GOOD NEWS 5 GOOD NEWS

5 SIGNS AND WONDERS For His Glory By KATHY KULJIS In December 2009, I was diagnosed with extensive serosal metastic cancer in the abdomen and pelvis. It was at the uterine stump, at least five serosal metastic cancer tumours were in the pelvis and along umbilicus colon and liver. For someone active, fit and healthy all this was so unbelievable. My life became tests, more tests, chemotherapy, pain and disease. I was hospitalised in February 2010 for a second time. After a week s stay in hospital, I was discharged and placed into Palliative Care at home, where packages of morphine and other related injections were delivered to the house. In other words, I was dying. My family was around me praying, loving and caring for me day and night. They prepared for my funeral. Many Masses have been offered for my healing, as were novenas and prayers for healing, both in prayer groups and individually. This was for each one of us another step in growth, trust, faith and love. As it is written in the book of Isaiah 62:6 on your walls Jerusalem I have placed sentries. They must never be silent day and night. They must remind the Lord of his promises and never let him forget them. During the second last week of June the oncologist declared that the CT Scan showed no sign of disease anywhere in my body! May the Lord bless and reward those who have prayed for my healing, and continue to pray for my health. As for me, by the mercy and grace of God, once again I am strong, fit and healthy, and ready to face another trial as my husband has been diagnosed with bowel cancer but I know in whom I trust. A Testimony to God s Goodness By JOSIE RACCANELLO In 2008 my daughter s health started to decline, often complaining of feeling unwell, stomach problems and then subsequently, headaches. Towards the end of 2008 the headaches were more frequent and more severe, resulting in trips to the emergency ward. They would medicate her severely, but no solution. Then the headaches became less acute, but simply permanent. She experienced nausea, had difficulty concentrating and felt foggy. She could work at her job as an intensive care nurse. A neurologist had her hospitalilsed thinking that it was viral, and an MRI showed what appeared to be a blood clot in one of the vessels in her brain. She was placed on Warfarin and other medication for 6 months and sent home before Christmas. Her headaches were not clearing, so she went for a second and third opinion, but each specialist was totally baffled as to why things were happening, and each prescribed new medication. Six months later the first neurologist decided to take her off all medication as he believed the length of treatment was sufficient. Any headaches and nausea she was still suffering, in his opinion, were possibly caused from side effects. Another MRI was done and the apparent clot was still present, so the conclusion by the neurologist was that it was an anatomical variant (not a clot) and therefore nothing serious. In July 2009, my daughter and I attended a ladies conference. At one point one of the leaders asked if anyone was suffering from headaches, as she was feeling incredibly severe pain, to the point it was making her dizzy and knew she had to ask for someone to come forward. My daughter went forward and received prayer, her eyelids started to flicker uncontrollably as she was being prayed for; there was no apparent change but we stood in faith. Two days later we attended a healing Mass at St Joseph s in Chelsea. Once again my daughter went up for prayer, she fell in the spirit and once again the prayer has the same effect on her eyes. At the end of Mass she said the fogginess in her head had lifted and from then on her headaches were gone. By Christmas 2009, the nausea was also gone. All this time my daughter had been home from work, and she came with me to prayer group and became a regular member; everyone showed her much love and supported her in prayer. My daughter has always been close to the Lord, but this certainly grew her more. The Lord answered our prayers with a great miracle and guarded her job that she loved so much. She is now back at work, praise be to God! Fruit of the Spirit By THERESE PARKER In the mid 90 s, a very likeable young man named David Lam from Hong Kong, a student of Physiotherapy, put in an appearance at Sacre Coeur Charismatic Prayer Community, and thereafter came every week. David joined our Music Ministry, where his fine deep singing voice added much lustre to our Praise and Worship. After a few years he decided to return to his homeland to study for the Priesthood, seemingly undaunted by the fact that Hong Kong was to be returned to Chinese Sovereignty in After his period of study, David was ordained for the Diocese of Hong Kong and very soon fulfilled the promise he made to us before his departure; he celebrated Mass for our Community on Friday 13 August. A joyous occasion, as can be imagined!!!! We praise the Lord for the gift of a member of our Charismatic Community becoming a Priest. David s Superior, the Bishop of Hong Kong, has called him to undertake further studies in Canon Law. His name at home is Fr. Ephraim Lam, but with his permission, we call him Father David. Sacre Coeur is 38!! Sacre Coeur Prayer community invites Prayer Groups to rejoice with them on the 3 September as they celebrate their 38th birthday with a Mass celebrated by Fr Colin Xavier. Festivities will commence at 8.00pm at St Kevin s Church, 74 Glen Orme Ave, Ormond. There will be plenty of opportunities during supper after Mass to catch up with old friends like Claude Lopez who is one of the earliest leaders still actively involved in Sacre Coeur. For details call Norma on GOOD NEWS

6 A WORD... FROM MIRIAM By MIRIAM MARKIS BRIEFLY Climb Every Mountain is a well known song! Well, climb mountains I did! Mount Podbrodo and Mount Krisevac at Medjugorje looked like daunting prospects on a recent CCR Pilgrimage. I managed Podbrodo one afternoon and was told that next morning it would be Mount Krisevac. Well, I was totally horrified. Sore and stiff from the first climb I hardly thought I had what it takes to climb a much higher mountain! I was adamant that I wouldn t climb the next day. Later that same evening the stark realisation hit me... four years earlier I had cried because I didn t have the time to make the climb and now here I was crying that I didn t want to make the climb! I then decided that I would at least try! The rest was up to God! The next morning as I started the climb I was horrified to see the steepness, but determined that I should keep my focus on what was immediately in front of me and not worry about what lay ahead. In this way I was able, with brief respites at the Stations of the Cross, to make it all the way to the top! I was amazed to see so many people, old and young alike, making the trek barefoot. Even the sick, including one elderly man assisting his blind son, made this incredible journey. I marveled the grace from God, that no one going up or down was seriously hurt! Marvelling at the view from the top I experienced an awesome sense of freedom and stillness! I thought of Moses on Mount Horeb (Gen 3:1) and, of course, Jesus who often climbed mountains seeking solitude with his Father. It was humbling to think that I was now one of countless numbers over the ages seeking to experience this same nearness. Albeit we are sometimes at the top, bottom or anywhere in between on our journeys, be they spiritual or otherwise, they can be filled with amazing moments of grace! Good News re Chairs With a little help from our friends, and some negotiation we have been able to greatly reduce the price of the chairs. We have placed an order for 100 chairs and help is still required. Send any donations to Miriam at the Centre. Scripture Graphics By PETER FOSTER Read Mark 5: Evangelisation and Healing Prayer Centres Four regional Centres for Evangelisation and Healing Prayer are operating in Melbourne under the direction of Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and appointments for prayer may be made by contacting the Centre on Psychological and Counselling Services that work in conjunction with healing prayer are available in the central and southern areas of Melbourne. Phone Miriam at the Centre for details. Can t make it to a Healing Prayer Centre during the week? Then you are welcome to come to the Open House Healing Ministry Days: Saturday 4 September and 6 November, 2010 between 9.30am pm at the CCR Centre. Good, Good, Good News! The International Leadership Training School, run by ICCRS will be held in Australia in July More details next issue. Start saving!! Come to serve the Lord in Rome for 1 or 2 years! From time to time, ICCRS seeks the help of those who are able to serve with their God-given talent and time to further the mission of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the very heart of the church for a minimum of 1 to 2 years. We need to replace our graphic staff member who is in charge - among other tasks - of the ICCRS newsletters and the ICCRS website. So we urgently seek for persons with specific knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. They should also know basic HTML and CSS and be able to work with Content Management Systems (CMS). As ICCRS is an international office, it is important to speak English in addition to being fluent in another language. If interested, please send us your CV (including the experience in CCR), a photo and a recommendation letter from your national, diocesan or group leader in CCR to director@iccrs.org. We will consequently contact you soon. A humble stipend will be paid. Intercession at the Centre An invitation for Intercessors to come to the Centre and pray before the Blessed Sacrament on behalf of all Prayer Requests received at the Centre. The Chapel is available for prayer from 10.30am pm. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Upcoming Events - Sandhurst Diocese August CCR Annual Conference, Agricultural College Dookie Scripture Day with Bishop Joe November 13 Noel Daley Centre 10.00am pm Please bring your Bible and lunch to share. Contacts: Gerri (02) Margaret (03) GOOD NEWS

7 Mark your Diary... Renewal Days An opportunity for fellowship with others and growth through teachings Men Only! From Gangland to Promised Land Ministry of Hope, Healing and Love Annual Summer Retreat January 2011 Ladies Day Thursday 23 September 2010 Regional Healing Masses 20 November Special Guest: Fr Pat O Sullivan SJ Our Lady Help of Christians Hall, 49 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick From 9.30am pm. Parking is available in School Grounds. Turn from Nicholson St into Miller St. Gate on left. Public Transport: Train to Parliament Station; Tram No 96 along Nicholson St to Stop 22. Come along, bring your friends and hear the powerful testimony of John Pridmore. Saturday 23 October Fr Richard McAlear s gifts of teaching and healing are powerful indicators of the healing love of Jesus Christ being poured out on today s world. Saturday 11 September Our Lady Help of Christians Hall, 49 Nicholson St, East Brunswick. Sunday 12 September Leaders Day at CCR Centre, 101 Holden St, North Fitzroy. 2.00pm pm Come along for a Surprise Day. Our God is a God of Surprises BYO lunch to share CCR Centre, 101 Holden St, North Fitzroy. 9.30am pm There will be Healing Masses held in regional areas: Eastern Region 1 September St Clement of Rome, Egan Drive, Bulleen Celebrant: Fr Wahid Riad 7.00pm Praise & Worship, 7.30pm Mass Western Region 14 September St Paul s Parish, 230 Sunshine Ave, Kealba Celebrant: Fr Bernard Morawski OFM Cap 7.00pm Praise & Worship, 7.30pm Mass Southern Region 12 November CCR Centre 101 Holden St, North Fitzroy pm pm Enjoy a BBQ lunch with John Fr Michael Manning is a member of the Society of the Divine Word. He is a well known speaker at Charismatic Conferences and Retreats internationally. Our Lady Help of Christians Hall, 49 Nicholson St, East Brunswick. 9.30am 5.00pm each day St Francis Xavier Parish, 60 Davey St, Frankston Celebrant: Fr Colin Xavier 7.00pm Praise & Worship, 7.30pm Mass Each Month CHARISMATIC MASSES Each Sunday Healing Masses 5.30pm St Clements, Bulleen 7.00pm Holy Family, Doveton (Ministry After) First Monday 7.30pm St Andrew s, Clayton South Third Thursday 8.00pm Churinga, Greensborough 7.45pm Sacred Heart, Croydon Third Sunday 12 Noon St Benedict s, Burwood First Monday St Joseph s, Springvale 3.30pm St Dominic s, Broadmeadows 9.30am/10.30am. Ring pm St Francis Xavier, Frankston 8.00pm Odd Number Months Fourth Tuesday 10.00am St Joseph s, Chelsea First Wednesday 8.00pm St Clement s, Bulleen Fourth Sunday 6.30pm St Joseph s, Northcote (Ministry After) First Friday 8.00pm St Kevin s, Ormond First Friday Holy Hour For Priests First Sunday 2.30pm St Peter s Chanel, Deer Park 10.00am St Anthony s, Noble Park 10 September 7.30pm Praise & Prayer, 8.00pm Mass. St Francis Xavier, Frankston. Celebrant: Fr Wahid Riad 29 November 8.00pm St Peter s, East Bentleigh