The Flame: July/August 2018
Dear Readers of The Flame,
Catholic Renewal Ministries moved its offices in June. We did
not move far. In fact, we are back in our old space-the third floor of
the Hoban Building. This is the building off the big parking lot on
the east side of the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. It
is the building with the large green awning and an elevator up to
the third floor. Our space in the Issenmann Building was needed
by the autism daycare center. Our old space was vacated when
the Diocesan Archives moved to the downtown offices of the
diocese. So this is a little bit like “back to the future” for us.
Of course the process of moving is a trip down memory lane.
I discovered accounting files from 36 years ago. There were also
outlines of days of renewal, old conferences and academic papers
from Liaison Conferences. As in every move, this was a time for
the office of Catholic Renewal Ministries to put into practice the
passage from Ecclesiastes 3:6b-“…a time to keep and a time to
cast away.”
I did come across the revised mission statement for Catholic
Renewal Ministries. This was prepared sometime around 1990,
shortly before I became the bishop’s delegate. This statement was
both an affirmation of what we are doing at CRM as well as a
summons to become more rooted in our mission.
It reads:
Catholic Renewal Ministries is the officially designated office
for charismatic renewal activity in the Diocese of Cleveland
that unites all prayer groups under the authority of the
Diocesan Bishop and his appointed delegate to the renewal.
Catholic Renewal Ministries, under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit and in the power of Pentecost, fulfills the command of
Jesus to evangelize all people, to make disciples of everyone,
to accept the challenge of the gospel and to acknowledge
Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Catholic Renewal
Ministries further believes:
-
That the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to be accepted as
central in the life of the Church and that the freely-given
gifts (charisms) of the Holy Spirit are to be sought after
and manifested within the Body of Christ.
- That the charismatic renewal exists to bring all people
into a personal and loving relationship with God through
a Life of holy living and faithful witness of the Christ life,
through active participation in the life of the Church and
its sacramental and prayer life, as well as in accordance
with the magisterium formed on apostolic foundations.
- That the diocesan office for charismatic renewal (CRM)
is to provide necessary opportunities for spiritual growth
of all through teachings, seminars, prayer services,
liturgies and other means of growth in accordance with
the tradition, directives and guidance of the Catholic
Church.
- That CRM is to provide such a place to serve people
with resources and materials that will enrich all on the
spiritual journey as well as encourage dialog, prayer,
common sharing and praise of God with all who profess
one Lord through one Baptism.
Over the years CRM has, in part, fulfilled this mission. However, as
the Lord told the prophet Habakkuk:
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony
to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will
surely come, it will not be late. See the rash have no integrity;
but the just one who is righteous because of faith shall live.
(Habakkuk 2:3-4)
CRM has sought to unite prayer groups, promote baptism in the
Holy Spirit, encourage people to seek and use the charisms of the
Holy Spirit. We have celebrated liturgies to build up God’s people,
provided conferences and seminars to evangelize people and
strengthen the faithful. We have provided resources to encourage
growth in the Lord.
However, I know that we can do much more. By faith, work and the
efforts of committed charismatic Catholics we can fulfill this vision
in a more complete manner, helping bring renewal to the Church in
these increasingly secular times. If you would like to assist CRM in
fulfilling this mission, please contact us at 440-944-9445. You may
also contact me at franco@stpeternr.org or 440-327-2201.
Let us pray, “Send forth your Spirit…renew the face of the
earth." (Ps104:30)
In Christ,
Fr. Bob Franco
Bishop’s Delegate to Catholic Renewal Ministries
Pre-registration for our conference ends on July 12. After that
it is registration at the door. I hope to see you there on July
20th& 21st at Magnificat High School so that we can Receive
and Rejoice in the Holy Spirit!