Report

One hundred and eight brothers and sisters of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal from several states in the United States and countries like Colombia, Panama and Honduras, met at the Don Bosco Retreat House in New York, during the week of February 22 to March 2, 2014, to participate in the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) School of Formation, with its main offices at the Vatican. The instructors were: Michelle Moran, from London, president of this Organization, Jim Murphy, director of the School, Monsignor Joseph Malagreca, spiritual advisor for the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal of USA, and Andrés Arango, coordinator for the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal of USA. The official translator was Vicky Bunting, from Spain, with residence in London.
The training topics were focused on Ecclesiology, History of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), Evangelization, Prayer Groups, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Intercession and Leadership. The schedule included daily Mass, Holy Hour, reflections, time for fellowship, and rest; fulfilling the goal of forming the leader not only in nourishing our mind, but also nourishing and strengthening our soul and our community and human life.
Jim Murphy developed the theme of the Church, starting with models of it as Bride of Christ, Body of Christ, the New Jerusalem, and the New Covenant. He gave a short and deep overview of the history of our Church beginning with the early Church and ending with our Church today. He analyzed the heresies of the past and made a parallel with the present heresies and errors that are being committed today, or may be committed, particularly in the Charismatic Renewal.

Jim also talked about the elements of a Prayer Group or Prayer Assembly. He emphasized the importance of defining a clear vision of the group saying: “If you do NOT define yourself, someone else will do it for you.” He also analyzed six essential elements: welcoming, communicate the vision, praise/prayer, teaching, response and ministry among brothers and sisters. Jim also provided guidance on how much time to give each element, he stressed that praise and prayer should make the most of the time and should flow according to the action of the Holy Spirit. Teaching should be 20 minutes.

In terms of leadership, Jim emphasized the importance of leadership formation; and the dangers and pitfalls that you can fall into. He said, “If a wolf kills a sheep, he wins one sheep”, however, “If a wolf kills a pastor, ¡he wins all the sheep!” The leader, he said, should analyze his thoughts because these lead him to develop attitudes that will end in actions, which eventually become habits and a lifestyle. In the same vein, Michelle Moran discussed the qualities that a leader must have.
She also explained the steps on how to give a teaching so that it has biblical and catechetical foundations. As for Intercession, Michelle touched on several important points, including the importance of emptying out our personal agendas to hear the Voice of God and allow Him to work in us through the various charismas that must accompany this ministry. The elements of Praise and Worship were presented by Vicky Bunting.

Monsignor Joseph Malagreca developed the theme on the Theology of Mission: “Jesus is the Messenger”. At the same time, he called his disciples individually; He then sends them to “make disciples". This mission has been accomplished throughout the centuries by our Church, and has been emphasized by recent Popes. Most notably, this message is making lay people more conscious about their call to evangelize. Our current Pope Francis has five words in relation to this: "Initiate, engage, accompany, be fruitful and celebrate”. Complementing this theme, Andrés Arango gave techniques for evangelization, remembering that the central goal must be to bring others to have a personal encounter with Jesus.
And, for this encounter with Jesus to be powerful, Andrés spoke precisely about the principal agent for evangelization, the Holy Spirit. He developed the theme of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, based on the book with the same title, published by ICCRS. He made a biblical analysis of the action of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, in the early centuries of Christianity, and in people and renewal movements through the history of our Church. Today, through the CCR, the "experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit” should lead to a permanent Pentecost, and to promote a culture of Pentecost, above all, through our living testimony.
The week ended with a sending ceremony. One by one, each participant, supported by the imposition of hands of two brothers, approached the Blessed Sacrament and placed his hands on the Altar to give himself as an offering, with, and like Jesus.

The Glory is to the Lord! Michelle emphasized. The Glory is to the Lord! Let’s keep repeating this ourselves.

23 February - 2 March 2014

“Take strength from the grace which is in Christ Jesus. Pass on to reliable people what you have heard from me through many witnesses, so that they in turn will be able to teach others.”

2 Tim 2:1-2

The ICCRS Leadership Training Course is for people of all ages, from charismatic organisations worldwide who want to spend some time of their lives being formed in leadership within the CCR.

In partnership with local Charismatic realities, ICCRS provides this week–long programme that will call and empower new leaders as well as strengthen and encourage current ones.

The programme includes daily Mass, Eucharist Adoration and a time of Charismatic Praise and Worship. The teachings cover: the foundations and vision of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (Ecclesiology, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Histoy of the CCR, a Theology of Mission); and practical help and ideas for ministry (elements of a prayer meeting, basic techniques for evangelisation, the life of leaders). There is also time for reflection, sharing and ministry.

People of all ages from the host country or nearby are invited to participate!

Pilgrimage

Wednesday, 26th February

St Patrick Cathedral – Ground Zero – Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton

Evangelisation Rally

Friday, 28th February

Trilingual Evangelisation Rally (Spanish-English-Creole) · Immaculate Conception Church, Jamaica, NY

Language

The course will be held primarily in Spanish.

Teachers

• Jim Murphy (USA), Director of the ICCRS Formation Project
• Michelle Moran (UK), ICCRS President
• Andrés Arango (Colombia), Coordinator of the CNSH
• Msgr José Malagreca (USA), Advisor to the CNSH
• And others...

Venue & Accommodation

Don Bosco Retreat Center
174 Filors Lane
Stony Point, NY 10980

Closest airport: LaGuardia, NY.

Contact

Please contact Andrés Arango for more information.

Cost

• USD 850 in double room
• USD 1000 in single room (if places available)

The registration fee includes: accomodation, transportation from and to the airport (only LaGuardia Airport), meals, event material, pilgrimage and entrance ticket for the evangelisation rally.

The maximum capacity is 100 people.

Registration

Please download the registration form and send it together with the fee (before 1st December 2013) to the following address:

Renovación Carismática Católica Hispana
P.O. Box 557302, Miami, FL 33255-7302

Event Report