RENEWAL. Catholic Charismatic CONTENTS. Marcia Cruse...p.2. Good Spirits...p.5. Calendar of Events...p.6. Stories of Easter...

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..Varied The Regional Service Team is committed to serve the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in our region

1 1 Catholic Charismatic RENEWAL Serving the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Diocese of Covington March-May 2008 Vol. 12, No. 2 CONTENTS Marcia Cruse...p.2 Good Spirits...p.5 Calendar of Events...p.6 Stories of Easter...Varied The Regional Service Team is committed to serve the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in our region by assisting Catholic prayer groups through networking, leadership training and encouragement.

2 2 LETTER FROM MARCIA CRUSE Member of the Regional Service Team. Gratitude One of the great things about being on a spiritual journey in life is seeing yourself grow because of your relationship with God. Recently, I had engaged in a new direction in my life, which required quitting an incomeearning job and going back to school for a master s degree. I had a purpose in mind to not hide my faith but certainly not risk engaging others in this program of 47 cohorts plus faculty and staff. I wished to quietly move through almost anonymously. Interestingly, God always has better plans. A professor randomly assigned us on a team and the group had to decide from a list of topics for a debate presented by the team. Seeing the first topic on abortion, I quickly scanned for others. That topic not only would place me in a risky engagement, it could lead me to expose many raw emotions that I had no intentions of exhibiting. To my utter disbelief my team members sought this topic and would not be dissuaded. Plus when I volunteered to take the prolife stand for the upcoming debate, I found myself with no one willing to work with me to present this side. Each debate team was supposed to provide 2 people pro and 2 people con, on an issue. One young woman, who is from a Catholic Italian family, boldly questioned me as to why I chose the prolife stand. Surely, I was only choosing it as an academic curiosity. I had heard her speak at lunchroom discourses previously so I was not taken by surprise that she would line up with the political winds of the day. She is young so hopefully she will in time encounter Truth. Inwardly, I chuckled at God s great prank on my plans, and assured her that I did stand against abortion. If she had any doubt, she would not after she saw the amount of homework I did and information that I had acquired that I ed to my team the night before this mini-debate. My greatest concern was to present this information logically and without losing my calm. Another great thing about having a relationship with God is that He usually provides the Body of Christ to network and support you. Most everyone that I knew, I asked for prayer support. I did not trust myself and I so wanted to be able to present legitimate concerns to people who had not totally thought this out but had accepted the media s opinion. I would be up against a formidable enemy-human pride. Also without seeking it, I was provided a meeting with Dr. Wilke where he gently listened to my ideas while providing his guidance. My daughter reminded me of Feminists for Life who are an incredible collection of women. They reclaim the original feminists and their writings which abhorred abortion, have written insightful essays themselves, talk on college campuses for prolife agenda and provide posters that use our culture s sound bite strategy. It is simple to locate on the internet Norma McCorvey s story of conversion to prolife (and Catholicism) who is Roe of Roe vs. Wade as well as Dr. Bernard Nathanson who helped spearhead abortion rights and also converted to prolife (and Catholicism). Abortion survivors are not represented in our press, so they too may not be a consideration to the general public. God provided abundantly. I was not able to present all the information I had. Ordinarily, one might consider the presentation unsuccessful, especially since the teacher displayed her distaste by asking immediately if anyone had changed their mind on this topic. I pointed out to her calmly after the class period, that she did not present that question to the class on any other debate topic. She had been (Cont'd on P. 3)

3 (Cont'd from P. 2) unfair and if anyone was considering the presented information, she was using the strategy to appeal to their pride that they were right all along and need not reconsider. Fortunately, I had made handouts for those who would be open as well as passed out posters. God had given me the grace to accept that my presentation would not be perfect. God had given me the grace to accept that I may never know what will grow from this. God had given me the assurance that His power would work to bring truth to my cohorts. God had given me the grace to present an issue close to the core of my being when I did not trust my emotions (you see I am one of those unwanted pregnancies and I can speak for those who are unborn-we want our life-our Father gave it to us). I am grateful that once again I am forced to grow, even though it involved risk. Thank you Father. Beyond the Cross Every year thousands of people climb a mountain in the Italian Alps, passing the "stations of the cross" to stand at an outdoor crucifix. One tourist noticed a little trail that led beyond the cross. He fought through the rough thicket and, to his surprise, came upon another shrine, a shrine that symbolized the empty tomb. It was neglected. The brush had grown up around it. Almost everyone had gone as far as the cross, but there they stopped. Far too may have gotten to the cross and have know the despair and the heartbredak. Far too few have moved beyond the cross to find the real message of Easter. That isthe message of the empty tomb. Lavon Brown There is an old legend of a priest who found a branch of a thorn tree twisted around so that it resembled a crown of thorns. Thinking it a symbol of the crucifixion, he placed it on the altar in his chapel on Good Friday. Early on Easter mornig he remembered what he had done. Feeling it was not appropriae for Easter Sunday, he hurried into the church to clear it away before the congregation came. But when he went into the church, he found the thorn branches blossoming with beautiful roses. Covington Offering a Spring Life in the Spirit Seminar. The Mustard Seed Community of Charismatic Prayer Groups in the Diocese of Covington will present a Life in the Spirit Seminar on March 15, April 1,8,15,22,29 and May 6, :15 P.M. Please encourage friends and family members to attend. This is great way to build up the Body of Christ. Can you think of a better way to evangelize? The Seminar will be held at St. Joseph Heights Dixie Highway across from Covington Catholic High School and in front of Notre Dame High School. Enter by way of Hilton Drive and proceed to the rear of the building facing Dixie Highway. To register please phone Joe at

4 THE CALL TO HOLINESS and THE CALL TO EVANGELIZATION Speaker: RALPH MARTIN Retreat Oct. 17 & 18th Ralph is the founding director of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office, currently located in Rome. He is president of Renewal Ministries ( ), an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization. Renewal Ministries is the sponsor of "The Choices We Face" a widely viewed weekly Catholic television and radio program distributed throughout the world. He is the author of a number of books and has many other accomplishments too numerous to list here. He and his wife Anne are parents of six children and reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Registration is required. Call Jerry & Charlene Schmitt at or 471-LITE Sponsored by Lignthouse Renewal Center

5 5 Jack loved watching the races on the TV at the bar, but he wasn't the brightest guy on earth: betting with one patron, he lost twenty dollars on a race and then lost another 20 on the instant replay. Then there was the moron who went to the track for the first time and knew his horse was a shoo-in. His animal was listed as starting at fifteen to one while the race didn't start until one. After crossing a parrot with a lion, the scientists weren't exactly sure what they had. But one fact was irrefutable. When it talked, people listened. "You've got to help me," the young man implored. " I can't stop thinking that I'm a goat!" His analyst asked, " and how long have you had this problem?" The man replied, "Ever since I was a kid." About 1930, the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. As last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" EASTER! Green the Grass. Ripe the bud. Yellow the flower. Blue the sky. Beautiful the butterfly. Risen the Lord! The Regional Service Team Newsletter is published four times a year by the Regional Service Team for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It is specifically designed for prayer group leaders and their members. It is supported by an annual subscription fee of $ Editorial Team Fr. Richard Dressman, Sr. Christine Edwards, SFP Regional Service Team Chairperson Sr. Christine Edwards, SFP Archdiocese of Cincinnati Liaison Southern Region Fr. Rick Dressman Archdiocese of Cincinnati Liaison Northern Region Veronica and Bruce Murphy Diocese of Covington Liaisons Harry Humpert Joseph Bessler Contributing Writers Veronica and Bruce Murphy, Sr. Christine Edwards, Joseph Bessler Treasurer Jerry Imsicke

6 6 Any area happenings may be placed on this calendar. The next newsletter will be in JUNE. So any retreats, seminars, days of recollection, or other special happenings from JUNE through AUGUST or later can be advertised here. HEALING SERVICES AND MASSES OF HEALING MARCH 5, (Wednesday) MASS OF HEALING 7:30 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, I-74 and North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by Lighthouse Community. Call (513) 47l- LITE for more Information MARCH 7, (Friday), Healing Mass, 7:15 p.m. Mother of God Church, Sixth Street, Covington Ky MARCH 17, (Monday), Healing Mass, 7:00 p.m. St. Patrick APRIL 2, (Wednesday) HEALING SERVICE 7:30 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, I-74 and North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by Lighthouse Community. Call (513) 47l-LITE for more Information. APRIL 4, (Friday), Healing Mass, 7:15 p.m. Mother of God Church, Sixth Street, Covington Ky APRIL 21, (Monday), Healing Mass, 7:00 p.m. St. Patrick MAY 2 (Friday), Healing Mass, 7:15 p.m. Mother of God Church, Sixth Street, Covington KY MAY 7, (Wednesday) MASS OF HEALING 7:30 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, I-74 and North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by Lighthouse Community. Call (513) 47l-LITE for more Information. MAY19, (Monday), Healing Mass, 7:00 p.m. St. Patrick JUNE 4, (Wednesday) HEALING SERVICE 7:30 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, I-74 and North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by Lighthouse Community. Call (513) 47l- LITE for more Information. JUNE 6, (Friday), Healing Mass, 7:15 p.m. Mother of God Church, Sixth Street, Covington Ky JUNE16, (Monday), Healing Mass, 7:00 p.m. St. Patrick St. Therese Church in Price Hill offers a healing Mass on the second Thursday of each month. Call St. Therese for more information. CHARISMATIC MEN S PRAYER BREAKFAST Pleas note new address March 8 (Saturday) 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, North April 12, (Saturday) 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, North May 10, (Saturday)) 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, North June 14,, (Saturday) ) 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, North LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR April 16 - May 28, 2008 (Wednesdays) 7:30 P.M. To 9:00 P.M. A Life in the Spirit Seminar will be held in thefr. Hilvert Hall at St. Ignatius Church, I-74 and North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH, sponsored by Lighthouse Community. For more information call (513) CHARISMATIC RETREATS October 17, 18, 2008 Internationally known Ralph Martin will be speaking on The Call to Holiness and the Call to Evangelization. Among many other accomplishments, Ralph is the president of Renewal Ministries, which sponsors The Choices We Face, a widely viewed weekly Catholic TV and Radio program distributed thoughout the world. Sponsored by Lighthouse Renewal Center. For information or to register call or April 4,5 Seek First the Kingdom April 7,8, 9 Hebrews April 11, 12 Life Style in the Spirit May 15, 16, Hours Devotion & Family Campout Sponsored by Presentation Ministries. For information or to register call or AREA WIDE CHARISMATIC MASS March 26 (Wednesday) Area Wide Charismatic Mass at Holvert Center at St. Ignatius Church, 7:30 P.M. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the service. Sponsored by Lighthouse Community. For further information call (513) Rock of Ages The heavy, ponderous stone that sealed Jesus in the confies of that rockwalled tomb was but a pebble compared to the Rock of Ages inside.

00 per year) Mail your subscription to: Catholic Charismatic Renewal Regional Service Team 1025 Carson Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45205 7 LIFE in the SPIRIT Seminar April 16 to May 28, 2008 St.

7 Pledges & Subscriptions The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Newsletter is a service provided by the Regional Service team. This team depends on your contributions to continue their work. Please pray and discern your gift. Make checks or money orders payable to: Regional Service Team. Prayer Group Street: Phone City: State Zip (Each person s copy cost approximately $10.00 per year) Mail your subscription to: Catholic Charismatic Renewal Regional Service Team 1025 Carson Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio LIFE in the SPIRIT Seminar April 16 to May 28, 2008 St. Ignatius Church, Father Hilvert Hall Montfort Heights, North Bend Road and I-74 REDISCOVER JESUS over Seven Wednesday Nights Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register call the Center LITE (5483) Or visit us at our website walcenter.org Sponsored by Lighthouse Renewal Center

Renewal. Contents. Catholic Charismatic. What Time Is It?

Renewal. Contents. Catholic Charismatic. What Time Is It? Catholic Charismatic Renewal Contents N The Regional Service Team is committed to serve the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in our region by assisting Catholic prayer groups through networking, leadership