Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

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1 November 2008 Proclaiming Jesus through Catholic Renewal and Evangelization Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, A letter from We recently graduated our first four students two priests from Nigeria, one from Cameroun and one from Ireland. They return to their own countries ready to be leaders in the New Evangelization. Another 28 students are currently enrolled in the program from various countries. Inside this Issue The Church Needs an Eternal Pentecost Page 3 Missions to Latvia and Poland Page 6 This has been a busy fall so far for Renewal Ministries and you will read about it, as usual, in the pages that follow. As I write this we are in the midst of our annual TV production and we are recording some very inspiring programs. Once we have completed the lengthy post-production process they will begin airing in March of Also, as I write this, Crossing the Goal the new EWTN program geared for men in which Peter Herbeck is a main participant, is entering its third month of airing and the response has been very positive. The Servants of God s Love, the order which Sr. Ann Shields belongs to, added another member this past weekend as Sr. Christina Frey made her final profession; it was a joyful occasion for all of us. There have also been a lot of surprising developments in my own life which I want to share with you. Earlier in the year I was asked by Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit where I teach part-time, if I would consider getting another advanced degree. The degree is called a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (abbreviated STL) and is all the course work that is normally done for the Doctorate, without the final dissertation. This is the degree program of which I am the Director at the seminary. We recently graduated our first four students two priests from Nigeria, one from Cameroun and one from Ireland. They return to their own countries ready to be leaders in the New Evangelization. Another 28 students are currently enrolled in the program from various countries. At first I declined the invitation as I felt that the Lord had given me some clear guidance on the 30 day retreat I did in the summer of 2007 about what I should be studying and writing as my contribution to the coming of the Kingdom. When I told my wife Anne that I had declined she asked if I ever considered the possibility that working on this additional degree would actually help me fulfill what the Lord had called me to do. She pointed out continued on page 2 Ralph and Anne are holding the two newest members of the Martin family Cosmas Damian von Stauffenberg (Rachel and Diego s second baby) and Nora Elizabeth Tovey (Maureen and David s first baby).

2 Dear Brothers and Sisters, continued from page 1 We are in the midst of taping some very inspiring new shows for The Choices We Face. Ralph is seen here with co-host Peter Herbeck and guest Fr. Jonathan Morris. that the study and writing I felt called to do may be able to be incorporated into the requirements of the degree. I talked to our Dean and he indicated that such indeed would be a possibility. So, since this past May I have been doing lot of study and writing in areas that I am very much interested in, concerning salvation and evangelization, in preparation for moving to Washington D.C. in January of 2009 to complete the work for the degree at the Dominican House of Studies there. I will be there for four months off and on (returning to Michigan periodically for short periods, fulfilling a greatly reduced speaking schedule, etc. ) and hopefully finishing the final three courses I need, as well as a 120 page thesis and a public examination in various areas of theology in May to complete the degree. This is a lot of work but I am very peaceful (and excited) to be able to work on these important truths that I feel will be able to help us in our work at Renewal Ministries, and wider. Through , phone and periodic visits I ll keep up my main responsibilities at Renewal Ministries and am sure the four months will fly by. Anne and I haven t quite figured out how and when we will see each other but we are sure it will work out. It will be made a little easier given that our two youngest daughters, Rachel and Maureen, Please Pray... recently moved to the DC area with their husbands, and they both had babies at the end of this past summer, the second for Rachel and the first for Maureen. I will be living with the Redemptorists at the same house as Fr. Tom Forrest during my time in DC but I m sure a lot of visiting will be going on. Anne and I are feeling very blessed these days as grandchildren number 7 and 8 have just arrived with the ninth on the way next month (it will be the second for Catherine, our third youngest daughter who lives with her husband Steve and first son Charley near Ann Arbor.) On another note, a few months ago I was diagnosed during a routine check up and biopsy on a suspicious spot on my forehead, with a very aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel Cell Carcinoma. I had surgery last week to remove the dangerous spot on my forehead and also to do a sentinel node biopsy on the lymph node where the cancer would spread to if it had spread. Just a few days ago we received the good news that the margins were clear around what was excised from my forehead and that no cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. There s still some consultation going on about whether it would be useful or not to do radiation treatment on my forehead to prevent recurrence, but the news was really good. More about how I felt going through all this next month. Anyway, all of us here at Renewal Ministries very much appreciate your ongoing prayers for us and for the work we are doing. We pray regularly for you. Your brother in Christ, 2 for a new Pentecost in the Church and the rediscovery of the beauty of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. for strength and courage for all those who are suffering with cancer and other life threatening medical problems. For Benedict XVI as he continues to shepherd the Church and proclaim a new Pentecost. For the prayer intentions of all our supporters and their family members. Thank you for your continued support through prayer as we labor together for the Gospel and the renewal of the Church.

3 From the Field Peter Herbeck, Missions Director The Church Needs An Eternal Pentecost Over the years the Lord has directed our attention, throughout our work in Renewal Ministries, and in the pages of this newsletter, to what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Through our books, conferences, radio and television programs, we ve worked hard to lay hold of it and to express the heart of the Spirit s words to the Church in our time. One of the most important sources of the Spirit s word to us over these years has been the prophetic and pastoral guidance of the recent Popes. We ve been greatly blessed by the quality and depth of spiritual leadership they have provided for us. Each of them, in their own way, have been able to read the signs of the times and to interpret what the Spirit is saying to the Church with deep insight and prophetic clarity. I believe the Lord is speaking a word to us through them, and he wants us to hear it loud and clear. One of the central words we have heard is that the Spirit is at work in our time to bring about a new Pentecost in the life of the Church. Each of the recent Popes have cried out to God on our behalf for a new Pentecost and they have urged us time and again to do the same. Beginning with Pope John XXIII s prayer at the Second Vatican Council, Lord, renew your wonders in our time, as though for a new Pentecost, they have sought to draw our attention to what the Church most needs in our time: More than once we have asked ourselves what the greatest needs of the Church are what is the primary and ultimate need of our beloved and holy Church? We must say it with holy fear because, as you know, this concerns the mystery of the Church, her life: this need is the Spirit the Church needs her eternal Pentecost; she needs fire in her heart, words on her lips, a glance that is prophetic. (Pope Paul VI, 11/29/72) With deep humility and fear of the Lord Pope Paul VI asked the fundamental question: What is our greatest need? The Church needs her eternal Pentecost! We need to live Pentecost, to be immersed in the reality of the Spirit s power and movement, we need our hearts to be set on fire with the Word of God, we need to be transformed into a prophetic people again. Pope John Paul II took that same theme to another level. Filled with prophetic fire and deep conviction he not only cried out for this new Pentecost, but he confirmed the Spirit s work in us on many occasions. He told us that we were experiencing, in our own day, the providential rediscovery of the Church s charismatic dimension, which had brought about the experience of a renewed Pentecost, instilling a renewed and unforeseen dynamism in many places in the Church. (6/98) For the Holy Father, this unforeseen dynamism produced a spiritual awakening in the laity, leading them to discover the fullness of their Christian vocation, and to help them accept the divine mandate of universal evangelization, the gift of the Holy Spirit, who seeks to Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XV1 (then Cardinal Ratzinger) have both proclaimed a clear word that the Spirit is at work in our time to bring about a new Pentecost in the life of the Church. continued on page 4 We need to live Pentecost, to be immersed in the reality of the Spirit s power and movement, we need our hearts to be set on fire with the Word of God, we need to be transformed into a prophetic people again. 3

4 From the Field The Chair of Peter in St. Peter s Cathedral in Rome, literally means the established seat of the Bishop from which, as teacher and pastor, he guides the journey of the faithful in faith, hope and charity with the unfailing aid of the Holy Spirit. The message is crystal clear: welcome the Holy Spirit, renewal of the Church is 4 and the renewal and transformation we seek in every parish and diocese will take place. The Lord s plan for the the Holy Spirit. accomplish in the world an ever new Pentecost. (3/94) The Spirit s work has begun to unfold. The new Pentecost is becoming a reality. These new signs of the Spirit s work are a great source of hope for the whole Church because they provide direction and understanding of what the Spirit is seeking to accomplish in our time. Our goal, our number one priority, must be to cooperate with what the Spirit is doing to renew the Church. The Holy Father knew that the Spirit was setting the agenda and our part was simply to cooperate with it. The Spirit alone has the answer, and literally everything we need to face the challenges of our time. What the Spirit needs from each one of us is a mind and heart open and receptive to the move of the Spirit: Be open to Christ, welcome the Spirit, so that a new Pentecost can take place in every community! A new humanity, a joyful one, will arise from your midst; you will again experience the saving power of the Lord and what was spoken to you by the Lord will be fulfilled. The message is crystal clear: welcome the Holy Spirit, and the renewal and transformation we seek in every parish and diocese will take place. The Lord s plan for the renewal of the Church is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit s strategy or desire is to bring about a new Pentecost. The renewal of the Church depends on our setting aside our own plans and taking up the agenda of the Holy Spirit. Benedict XVI s Cry Pope Benedict XVI has continued this same theme. In his recent visit to the United States he said he came to do three things. First he said, I have come to proclaim anew, as Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Second, I have come to repeat the Apostle s urgent call to conversion and the forgiveness of sins. And third, I have come to implore from the Lord a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in his country. (Homily at Nationals Stadium) The following day at St. Patrick s Cathedral he prayed, Let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost for the Church in America. May tongues of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal for the spread of Christ s Kingdom, descend on all present! Why are we hearing this constant, urgent call for a new Pentecost? Because Pentecost is not just a past event, a one- time occurrence, something God did to kick-start the Church. The Church lives by her eternal Pentecost because Pentecost defines her, it reveals the fact that the Church is born of the Holy Spirit, and therefore lives by Spirit. Pope Benedict reminds us that, Jesus whole mission was aimed at giving the Spirit of God to men and baptizing them in the bath of regeneration this was realized through his glorification, that is, through his death and resurrection. Then the Spirit of God was poured out in a super-abundant way, like a waterfall able to purify every heart, to extinguish the flames of evil and ignite the fire of divine love in the world. (5/11/08) That waterfall is still flowing today. It is the only source of life for the human race. It flows from a person, from the resurrected and glorified body of Jesus Christ. He is the super-abundant source of life for the world. He is God s provision. The Church has an infinite capacity for regeneration and renewal because the lifetransforming power of Jesus existence in glory is without limit. That life is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Father continued: Jesus himself ordered his disciples to stay in Jerusalem, saying, In a short time you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit descends upon you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1) The recent Popes are reminding us that to be Christian, to be Catholic means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. To live by this power, or as St. Paul termed it, to walk by the Spirit, is the essence of the Christian life. Again, In this baptism of the Holy Spirit the personal and communal dimensions are inseparable. The Spirit consecrates the person and at the same time makes him a living member of the mystical body of Christ, a participant in the mission to witness to his love. The baptism in the Spirit has a personal continued on page 5

5 continued from page 4 dimension. In order to walk by the Spirit we need to have a living experience of the Spirit s presence and power. Without this experiential knowledge life as a Catholic Christian will be dry and empty, without power and unable to bear fruit. Unfortunately, that is the condition of many baptized Catholics whose lives are void of power and zeal because the treasure they were given at baptism has gone undiscovered. This is the fundamental reason why the urgent call for a new evangelization by the recent Popes has fallen on deaf ears. They have called for a new Pentecost because they know that without it there will be no new evangelization. Mission is a work of the Spirit flowing through human hearts that are consciously and freely surrendered to the Spirit s power. There is no other way for the Church to fulfill her mission. All our plans and strategies will be dead-on-arrival if they are not fueled by the Spirit s power and priorities. For this reason Pope Benedict XVI has urgently called out to each one of us: Today I would like to extend this invitation to everyone: Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism and confirmation, sources of grace that are always present and let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a renewed Pentecost for the Church again today, a Pentecost that will spread in everyone the joy of living and witnessing to the Gospel. (Pentecost 2008) These are our marching orders. This is what the Spirit is saying to each one of us. Let s take these words to heart and commit ourselves to praying fervently and persistently for a new Pentecost. Let s commit ourselves to rediscover the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and to do all we can to help others experience this grace of a new Pentecost in their own lives. Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism and confirmation, sources of grace that are always present. THE GIFT THAT GIVES BACK THROUGHOUT THE YEARS The charitable gift annuity is a unique gift arrangement that can help both you and Renewal Ministries. This type of annuity provides our donors with fixed payments throughout the years, thereby helping them to find a measure of certainty in these uncertain economic times, while supporting Renewal Ministries at the same time. Two of our longtime donors, John, age 77, and his wife, Jane, age 76 (the names have been changed to protect the donors privacy, but the facts remain the same), funded a $100,000 charitable gift annuity for the benefit of Renewal Ministries that guaranteed a rate of 6.7%, or $6,700 annually for both of their lives. John and Jane were pleased to learn that $4, of their annual annuity income would not be subject to federal income tax. They were also happy to know that they would enjoy the benefit of a $31,535 charitable tax deduction for this donation. Because of these tax benefits, John and Jane realized that their effective rate of return was significantly greater than 6.7%! Most importantly, John and Jane were thrilled that Renewal Ministries was able to immediately use $28, of their gift to complete several evangelistic projects that they personally had supported over the years. As John and Jane observed, This program is a Give and Gain situation for everyone! For more information on how you can create a Give and Gain situation through a charitable gift annuity, contact: Gary Seromik at Renewal Ministries P.O. Box 1426 Ann Arbor, MI 48106, Tel: ext 21 Fax: gseromik@renewalministries.net. Ann and Joe Brennan, seen here in a special moment with the Holy Father, have provided great wisdom and support to Renewal Ministries both as board members and as well as to our donors who have benefitted from the Give and Gain Program. 5

6 Missions It has been four years and the depression has never returned. I feel peaceful and joyful. Mission to Latvia Don and Pat Turbitt just returned from Latvia where they led a weekend conference for fifty people, hosted by the Effata Community. Below are testimonies from some of the participants. My name is Anna and I am 39 years old. For 35 years of my life I have lived with depression. I was born premature and my twin sister died at birth. All of my life I experienced a spirit of death and depression. Twice I attempted to commit suicide. I felt that my only escape from all of this pain was to die. Four years ago when I was 35 I was in the midst of the deepest depression of my life. This depression was so heavy that I could not find any relief whatsoever. No medication or psychiatrist seemed to help. A friend of mine invited me to a women s weekend conference that Pat Turbitt was giving for 200 women. I really did not want to go but I went to please my friend. I did not have any hope for help from God at this conference. I did receive prayer however and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me in a very tangible way. The next day I felt as though something different had happened to me. I realized that all my depression was gone. I was completely free at last! From then on I was able to think clearly and make sound decisions for my life. It has been four years and the depression has never returned. I feel peaceful and joyful. My name is Daiga and when I first came to Effata Community in Riga I had many problems. I have attended many retreats in the past, but this retreat has changed something inside me. This retreat has truly helped me to grow. I am very grateful for what your words have taught me. Because of them I understand the spiritual life more. My name is Laura and this retreat really spoke to my heart, especially when Pat spoke about the New Springtime and the New Evangelization that John Paul II talked about. I am encouraged in my life in Christ. 6 Pat Turbitt (on right) speaks through an interpreter at a weekend conference in Latvia hosted by the Effata Community.

7 Mission to Poland By Don Turbitt This past August Pat and I traveled with a team of five to Poland to conduct various events. We led a three day conference in the city of Torun, attended by 270 people. There were reported healings and changes in people s lives. The second week we drove to Lanckorona, beginning our week with a women s three day retreat which was attended by fifty women. We then led a weekend retreat for men in the same city. The retreat house only holds seventy people, but seventy-two men attended and two slept in a tent outside! Here are some of the testimonies we heard from the men s conference in Lanckorona: I had back pain; it left when I received prayer. My parents divorced when I was twelve and I was under a lot of pressure. I started drinking and got hooked on pornography. I was prayed with two years ago and I am free from drinking and I had the courage to get married. Now we have two children. My relationship with my father was very bad but last year I received prayer and and it was healed. My father died five months ago and I was in a good relationship with him. Four years ago I came here and I found a relationship with God. God has changed everything in my life. I am free from the occult. I am totally different; I have trust and confidence. Yesterday I could lift my hands up over my head to praise God. I was not embarrassed to do that. The gift of common prayer is great. I have been transformed as a man. I have said goodbye to sin today. I can bring people to Jesus by being holy. God has invested in me; I want to fight for men in Poland. I didn t come here before because of money needs. This weekend I took time from work to come and I learned that money can be an enemy that can stop me from growing. Coming here cost me Four years ago I but I am happy I came and I am learning to tithe again. Peter stepped out of the boat and I came here and I found needed to do that to come here. Now I know I a relationship with can stand on water. The worship was great! I wasn t expecting much coming here. I God. God has changed was tempted not to come. I discovered much everything in my life. about being Catholic here. I felt the Spirit and I want others to experience the same. I prayed in I am free from the tongues for the first time. It is good to be with men. We also conducted the first Men of St. occult. I am totally different; I have trust Joseph men s conference at St. Joseph parish. One hundred men attended and Fr. Antone and confidence. Bednazz introduced the evening of worship, teaching and praying over the men. From this initial meeting we are hoping to have a large men s conference in In Torun, Poland 270 people, young and old, attended a three day conference of teaching, praise and worship, and prayer ministry. Many people were changed and healed. 7

8 On the Road If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross November 2008 Saginaw, MI Diocesan Deacons Retreat November 1 Marquette, MI St. Peter s Cathedral Parish Renewal November 7 8 Contact: or secretary@stpetercathedral.org Mission to Mexico November 9 15 Jim Murphy and Team Contact Jessica at ext 32 or jsherwood@renewalministries.net Omaha, NE Legatus Chapter Meeting November 12 Gaithersburg, MD, Mother of God Community Women s Retreat November Sr. Ann Shields Contact Mary Sykes at Diocese of Lansing, MI Catholic Lawyers Annual Retreat November 15 Mexico Priests Retreat November Mission to Kenya November 17 December 3 Peter Thompson and Team Contact Jessica at ext 32 or jsherwood@renewalministries.net Emmitsburg, MD Mt. St. Mary s Seminary Workshop for Theology Faculty November 21 December 2008 Toronto, Ontario December 8 Renewal Ministries Canadian Board Meeting, Peter Herbeck, Sr. Ann Shields, Gary Seromik Catch Peter Herbeck s new tv show Crossing the Goal on EWTN Global Catholic Nework Sundays at 6:30 pm; Mondays at 6:30 a m and Fridays at 9:00 pm Eastern R e n e w a l M i n i s t r i e s Chairman of the Board Bishop Sam Jacobs, Houma-Thibodaux, LA President In Canada Episcopal Advisors Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto Bishop M. Pearse Lacey, Ret. Auxillary, Toronto Renewal Ministries is a Catholic ministry committed to renewal and evangelization in the Church. It seeks to proclaim Jesus Christ through its TV and radio outreaches, as well as through books, tapes, conferences, retreats and other international evangelistic events. Editor Design Debra Herbeck Anne Martin 2008 by Renewal Ministries 8 P.O. Box 1426 Ann Arbor, MI phone In Canada P.O. Box 400 Station U Toronto, ON M8Z 5Y8 phone