Yes, Peter and Dorothy's House of Hospitality is Really Going to Begin!!

By Monica      PDHOH    Columbus, Ohio

    God put into my hands two things within three days to point me in the directions of actually BEGINNING a community that lived as Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin lived: Peter and Dorothy's House of Hospitality!  Starting very small and aimed toward "street people," or those dwelling mostly outside, I finally am taking steps to start this mission, yayy!!
    The two thing that happened were these:   our St. Patrick's Benedictine Oblate organizer, Vicki Albright, said that the Vatican is wanting to step up the cause for sainthood of Dorothy Day, a Third Order Benedictine too!  We had all been praying and she asked us to continue since it was so close!  Msgr. Mottet always said that Peter Maurin should be canonized right alongside Dorothy because it was his idea, his push to be implemented, etc.  He only lived for the first 15 years, but Dorothy did it for almost 50 yrs!
    The second thing God used to point my attention to Dorothy was that my newly widowed 80+ year old neighbor, not a Catholic, gave me a book that her late husband had had and that she had never seen before going through his things.  It was the book, The Reckless Way of Love, Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day (2017)  Ha, ha!  They are not even CATHOLICS!  I am not sure many Catholics would have such a radical book, let alone an elderly Episcopal neighbor!
     I hope to eventually add the Peter Maurin House of Hospitality, Casa de Hospitalidad de Guadalupe, and Casa de Hospitalidad Oscar Romero.
    I encourage anyone who does not know much about this Mother Teresa of New York for nearly 50 years, as I have often called Dorothy Day, please read this newest pocket-sized book, The Reckless Way of Love, Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day (2017).  It is a compilation and summary of her very best inspirations!  Her life and shining witness were her greatest inspiration though, in the spirit of St. Francis of Assissi (another pacifist): "Preach at all times, only sometimes use words."
    PRAY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF DOROTHY DAY AND PETER MAURIN, please. :)

Homeless People in the Woods Here in Columbus Who Need Our Help

By Monica    Columbus, Ohio

       I was able to take a hike yesterday all around a huge area where a teacher friend (here at my new school) said an entire colony of homeless people live.  Last week, on beginning to explore it by car, or find the general vicinity, I stumbled upon a security guard who told me a sad story.  He said that several establishments (businesses) were tired of these people begging for money or food, and using their facilities for their bathroom and decided to cut down much of a forest they were in behind his building.

This was not what I found, but very similar

       I cannot begin to fathom this, toward people that cannot get any lower than they are, or can they?  He motioned that they just moved farther back, but yesterday I found that they seemed to not be where he pointed. I did stumble upon a small community of between 8 and 10 people though, one seeming very very agreeable to a few of us coming back to bring hot soup, a bonfire, Christmas cookies, and many necessities that we can get our hands on for them.  I gave, without a split second of hesitation on their part, a sleeping bag and comforter that we had extra and several pairs of Dory's old soccer socks, which cover the calf.
       My nephew, Dominic Evans, who is in his second year with Christ in the City in Denver, told me that they always always need socks, gloves, underwear, and hand-warmers that they just throw into to bottom of their sleeping bags.  My Fourth Grade students came up with many other amazing ideas, like an outhouse, a firepit and wood, hair and beard trimmer kit and haircuts, water, books (that they can then use for the fire - HA), and many other things.

       I found that this camp relied on propane ("about $17.00 per month) to fuel their warmth.  This is a bitter snap right now and I hope to help them get more. I just can't imagine the bathing and bathroom part, brushing the teeth, getting any laundry done.  I badly want to buy a house nearby and start a day center minimally, like from 10:00-4:00 where they have companionship, warmth, a great large hot meal for lunch, cleaning opportunities like showering, shaving, and laundering, and just a warm welcome place to take a nap.
       I also want to get one with land -- there's a lot around there -- and farm or garden a lot there!  Hopefully even get some or many of them into a full time community with me there, 24/7, where they are family.  AI am dying to garden, farm, harvest, and can everything!  When I worked the Appalachian Project I asked a 94 year old woman what the Depression was like.  She said, "Why we didn't even know there was a Depression!  We had everything we needed right here!  We had a couple cows, chickens, our garden, canned things, drinking water from our pump, everything.
        That always stuck with me and I buy canning things at every turn.  A teacher friend who commuted from the country about an hour every day from the country caned everything for her family's whole winter in a huge garden.  How cool it that!  Msgr. Mottet loved to, and Tony Gallenstein, when he lived as one with the poor!
     Pray for guidance!  Beg the harvest Master for more workers in the field, as Jesus said to do, please.  Dorothy and Peter, please pray for me!  St. Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres and Martin de Porres, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Vincent de Paul, please pray for me!!  St. Francis of Assissi and St. Pio too!  And especially, Mary St. Joseph, who embraces the homeless whole-heartedly! Come, Holy Spirit, come!

It Is Well With My Soul

by Monica  Columbus, Ohio

The following song is for those who have experienced immense long-suffering (one of the virtues) in waiting for God's Will to unfold in beautiful visions and dreams, especially ones for Him.  It is also for any suffering religious persecution, which can be the most painful. Moreover, this is also dedicated to those with huge and painful setbacks in life of all kinds --- cancer, job loss, money loss, family and friends' deaths, etc.  Christ's peace is at our fingertips, and His healing rays are on their way. Find someone to pray with you who has the gift of calling down the Holy Spirit in a mighty way.


This was written by Horatio Spatford in the late 1800's at the death of his four little daughters just after the loss of all of his assets and job in the Chicago fire. 

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know^a

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

A song in the night, oh my soul!^b

Background

This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first was the death of his son at the age of two and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.^[2] Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.^[3]

The Spaffords later had three more children. On February 11, 1880, their son, Horatio Goertner Spafford, died at the age of four, of scarlet fever. Their daughters were Bertha Hedges Spafford (born March 24, 1878) and Grace Spafford (born January 18, 1881). Their Presbyterian church regarded their tragedy as divine punishment. In response, the Spaffords formed their own Messianic sect, dubbed "the Overcomers" by American press. In 1881, the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Ottoman-Turkish Palestine. The Spaffords settled in Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony. Colony members, later joined by Swedish Christians, engaged in philanthropic work among the people of Jerusalem regardless of their religious affiliation and without proselytizing motives—thereby gaining the trust of the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. During and immediately after World War I, the American Colony played a critical role in supporting these communities through the great suffering and deprivations by running soup kitchens, hospitals, orphanages and other charitable ventures. The colony later became the subject of Jerusalem by the Nobel prize-winning author, Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.^[2]

 For those undergoing great setbacks in their ministries, particularly slanderous attacks and persecutions, here is a quote given to me by my good friend and co-teacher (of 4th graders) at my new building, Karol Carmen.  She handed me a mug with this quote on it and said, "I felt like God was asking me to give this to you."  She had no idea about all the religious persecution I have been going through because I had never mentioned it to her.

   It goes,

"The tallest Oak in the forest was once just a tiny nut that held its ground."

Thanks Karol!

I only knew Karol for 3 months because she just died of a massive coronary on Nov. 4.  Thank you, Karol, for this powerful message!  I thank you, Jesus, especially, for giving it to me through her.  Yes, I have finally begun to hold my ground, thanks to you, Karol, and God's message to me through you!  More inspirations about God's "permissive Will" below -- worth reading!

The following video, the holiest video on Youtube in my opinion, helps one to get through ANY kind of adversity!  Here is the link to the Litany of Humility with pictures from the movie, The Passion of the Christ:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2kfTwncbI

  

Does God ever cause or is part of actually causing suffering of His servants, His beloved, His closest followers? After reading several books such as Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure and St. Claude de Columbiere, as well as The Ascent to Mt. Carmel and Dark Night of the Soul (one of St. Teresa of Calcutta's all time favorites), by St. John of the Cross, I have come to believe that God allows the suffering of innocent and even holy people, called his "Permissive Will," I learned recently from a dear friend.  (the word, "demon" comes from "demean," especially in terms of good people wrongfully persecuted).

I recently had a long trip home with a very holy dear friend who believes that God never ever causes anything we would consider "bad" or persecuting to an individual.  We are in agreement that God never causes illness, disease, major accidents, and so forth, which are caused by everyone's free will bumping against each others' in addition to the human condition while here.

We talked about God's permissive Will too -- how God sometimes allows persecutions in order to forge us like metal into His tools, like Isaiah being forged into a ploughing tool and gold that is tested in fire, with others.  The following are a few Bible quotes.

Job 42:10   "They [friends, family, etc] consoled him and comforted him for all the evil the Lord had brought upon him."

Sirach 2:3-5   "Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient, for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation."  Does He then, or can He then, actively do the purifying without pain and suffering?  Can metals and elements that are not gold, (and other flaws), ever be separated out except for heat high enough to make metal a liquid?  Can this ever not involve suffering?  Does God do this intense purifying so that the final product is pure gold alone? 

Isaiah 41:15   "I will make of you a threshing sledge (large metal tool), sharp, new, full of teeth, to thresh the mountains..."  The strikes to hot metal in making tools are immense. 

Isaiah 50:6   "I gave my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pluck out my beard; I did not cover my face from buffets and spitting..."  Coming right after the above quote, it appears that Isaiah is spelling out the details of how God Himself actually made of him a sharp-edged tool, through these very things He willed for him, even in excruciating torment at the hands of other religious people.

Even with Christ Himself, the Father willed enormous suffering upon Him, fully human and fully divine, as shown in the following quotes.

Isaiah 53:5 "But He was pierced for our offenses; crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." 

Hebrews 5: 8-9  "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through suffering.  And having been made perfect, He became the source of salvation to all who obey Him."  Hebrews 5:8-9

Philipians 2:8   "And being found in appearances a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross."  Who is He obeying that is doing this to Him?  Could the Father ever not actively Will all aspects of His death for the salvation of the world?

St. Teresa of Calcutta was a huge St. John of the Cross fan, as many of us. His books mentioned above also propose God doing the purgations of our soul to bring us to higher levels of oneness with Him.

The nights which the soul experiences are the two necessary purgations on the path to Divine union: the first purgation is of the sensory or sensitive part of the soul, the second of the spiritual part (Ascent of Mount Carmel, Ch. 1, 2). Such purgations comprise the first of the three stages of the mystical journey, followed by those of illumination and then union.^[2]St. John does not actually use the term "dark night of the soul", but only "dark night" ("noche oscura").  

Below is the poem He wrote when imprisoned wrongly by his fellow Carmelite brothers for nine months in a "dungeon," beaten and nearly starved.  He came to heavily embrace the experience from God's own hand that lead to much deeper levels of mysticism and oneness with God.

The Dark Night 

St John Of the Cross

"On a dark night,
Kindled in love with yearnings–oh, happy chance!–
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.

In darkness and secure,
By the secret ladder, disguised–oh, happy chance!–
In darkness and in concealment,
My house being now at rest.

In the happy night,
In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught,
Without light or guide, save that which burned in my
heart.

This light guided me
More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me–
A place where none appeared.

Oh, night that guided me,
Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover,
Lover transformed in the Beloved!

Upon my flowery breast,
Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him,
And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

The breeze blew from the turret
As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck
And caused all my senses to be suspended.

I remained, lost in oblivion;
My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself,
Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies."

Does this idea make one want to run from God, or hate God?  Is He a good Father or not, one may think.  Do children run from a genuinely loving human father or Dad who has to sometimes harshly reprimand children or teenagers when their behavior is totally out of control?  Do they turn around and hate Him or eventually love him all the greater.  Especially when they realize he was so good for them at that time?

This is all the more true when they realize that he knows what he is doing from past history and they already have a trusting, tender relationship with their father, who must come down harshly from time to time.

Listen to the music and lyrics of the Hillsong, "New Wine," about the crushing and pressing God does to make us into new, powerful wine! This goes hand in hand with what one of my dear Benedictine monks, Brother Martin, says that God does to us to prepare us to be His bread and wine in the world.  

The song, "New Wine":     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxo-_SrV1q4&list=RDQxo-_SrV1q4&start_radio=1

Brother Martin explained that He did not come as grapes and wheat, but bread and wine, two man-made things.  HE NEEDS US to be His bread and wine in the world.  He first takes the wheat and pulverizes it to a fine powder.  Then he mixes is with ingredients and BAKES it at a high temperature.  The grapes he smashes to smithereens, liquifying them completely, then he ferments them over a long period of time in which there is a strong chemical change, making them into wine.

But what about when it is not to correct faults, but to strengthen and ready a soul for something big coming in their lives?  Is God the alchemist, then, starting and stoking the fires of purification or strengthening of metal, done in great love, as with Isaiah?

On a sidenote, St. Teresa of Calcutta once said that a turning the other cheek, also a painful persecution, is not a passive act, but a standing your ground in offering the other cheek.  It is a choosing to love, even those who strike you or crucify your character with slanderous words, to offer the cheek in staying within these scenarios, in standing the ground in the righteousness of God.

Finally, what did Jesus say about persecution.  At the end of my favorite all time Bible reading, the Beatitudes, He emphasizes the following (Luke 6:22-23).

"Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude you and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in just the same way." 

"Would that I might know Christ
and the power of His resurrection
and that I might share
 in His sufferings."
          -  St. Ignatius of Loyola

     Please, dear Pope Francis, dear Papa, assign a beloved new bishop to the Columbus, Ohio diocese who will be a voice for the charismatic renewal here, especially reopening Encounter Ministries U.S., and one with a heart and voice for the poor and for peace.  Here is the song and background information from Wikipedia.

  Please, dear Papa, if you will, could you go ahead and canonize Dorothy Day (and Peter Maurin), please.

Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe in Us the Fire of Your Love!

       By Monica      Columbus, Ohio

     The Holy Spirit is moving mightily in the Ohio Catholic Church as evident in many events!  First, it is in the many Columbus Catholic parishes hosting the ecumenical ALPHA series.  Second, it is in the birth of newer huge charismatic ministries associated with Ohio -- Encounter Ministries (and Urban Encounter) and the Damascus Faith Mission Camp ministries, all of which are deeply rooted in the Holy Spirit, evangelism, healing, and charisms of the Holy Spirit within the traditions and roots of our Catholic faith from its earliest years.

     New ideas and activities are sprouting including ADORE, a way to praise and adore Jesus in the Eucharist in the tradition of the Franciscans of the Renewal out of Steubenville, and Encounter weekends, by small groups hungry for a balanced prayer group of all the main components to make it healthy (see the end of this article) and through schools of ministry sessions (such as Encounters'), to equip for the real world and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through witness, signs, wonders, and living a life in the Spirit.

 

     This article is for the newbie across the world who has no idea what I am talking about but would like some information.
      First, the ALPHA program, is an ecumenical one endorsed within it by many priests and bishops that answers many of life's general questions on Christian faith.  There is even a quote from Pope Francis in it -- going forth into the Protestant world!  It is an 11-week program that usually meets weekly for dinner with a community-building "table" within a group of tables who grow in their Christian faith through viewing, sharing, and praying.  I happened to participate in two different multi-week sessions (it changes every five years) and can vouch for its truth and power to change lives.

      Part of this set of sessions is a time to be "prayed over."  I happened to be on the women prayer team for four ALPHA series, as well as to help train a prayer team in a different parish for their ALPHA retreat.  In the very first retreat for our parish, we prayed for two hours over women the first night and had to ask for a second unplanned night the next day when we prayed for over four hours the demand was so high!  Many actual miracles came about including with a neck, an ankle, deep inner healing nearly always manifested in tears, and numerous other aches and pains.

                                       

    When I gave a training for the teams at Our Lady of Peace the following is what I prepared for those who would pray over people for healings, conversions, and "bigger" realms. It is rooted in Scripture, which speaks for itself, although we did engage in each briefly.

John 15:7 -- "If you remain in me and my works remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you."

Mark 11: 23-26 -- "'Amen I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.  Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayers, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.'"

Matthew 7: 1-5 -- "Stop judging that you may not be judged.  For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.  Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in our own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in our eye?  You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from our brother's eye.'  [Note:  This may not appear to have much to do with healing, but it is -- only a few sentences later does Christ speak of facilitating healing and good things -- after we have stopped judging others].

Matthew 7: 7-11 -- "'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which one of you would hand a son a stone when he asks for a loaf of break, or a snake when he asks for a fish?  If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him'?"
        In my experience and training - having been "slain in the Spirit" at 11 years old and calling down Holy Spirit in the charismatic movement for over 45 years, and having prayed over a multitude of individuals, I further emphasized that in order to call down and "channel" the Holy Spirit to someone, in the laying on of hands either under their hands, or on their shoulder, or on their head, one needs to be an empty, humble vessel, that the Holy Spirit surges through, having Him do it all.  Try not to get in the way by "trying" too hard, but allow the Holy Spirit to inspire the words and come down through you, to actually perform the healings needed.

      I also emphasized to be brave!  If you don't believe in yourself being able to do it, this is good!  Just believe whole-heartedly in God's power to do this through you and He will never let you down!  Do not be afraid or put off if you must pray long, and you may have to several times (potentially in the future).  These are not signs of failure but of God's timing.
      Another immensely powerful and popular 13 session series on the charisms of the Holy Spirit is the Wild Goose series, but out by the TOR, or Franciscans of the Renewal.  When entering the Charismatic world for the first time, many churches will now use this series for the new person's "Life in the Spirit Seminar," which formerly had its own materials.  Powerful!

      Finally, Mother Mary's intercessory prayers are powerful!  Some of the most powerful healings I have been involved in with a group praying over someone has been when I pray a "rosary in the Spirit" and completely lose myself.  She is the one, I believe, who beaconed on the entire Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the U.S.

       2017 marked the 100th anniversary of Fatima and the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  During a rosary at the Mother Mary side chapel of St. Catharine's I was meditating on that and it hit me hard that at her 50th anniversary of appearing at Fatima, one of the very most famous apparitions of Mary in the world, when all eyes would be on her to see if she would visit the world again, I believe she elbow-nudged her Spouse, the Holy Spirit and asked, "Please Go, in a big way, to the United States and FILL the Catholics there with You in the manner of the very first Pentecost!!"  This, in turn, spread throughout the entire Catholic Church, the world over!  See the end of this article for a section on Mary from St. Ignatius, St. Bernard, and St. Cyril form The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
     While these are good ideas from my background, I was about to learn far more in the world of the charisms of the Holy Spirit at the Encounter Ministries Summer Intensive School of Ministry classes in August, 2017.  It was their first ever inaugural "School of Ministry" set of classes.  This course was loaded far beyond what I can convey with the wisdom, insight, inspiration, training and practice necessary for any Catholic or Christian to become empowered and equipped for an evangelical life in the Spirit!  It has a solid, rich, theological foundation, rooted in Truth itself, which is Christ.
     I learned and practiced many of the other gifts and areas of a life in the Holy Spirit that I felt more unexperienced at -- prophetic word, visions, words of knowledge, etc, etc, etc.  I strongly feel it is a must for all Catholics (and other Christians), especially those who want to work with the poor and forgotten.

     Nearly immediately after this course began an intense persecution welled up against it, which is a sign that it is of Christ, according to Jesus and St. Ignatius.  In the end of the beatitudes Jesus emphasized: "Blessed are you when they hate you, reject you, insult you, and denounce your name as evil all on account of me..." (John 6:22).  St. Ignatius, in his Spiritual Exercises, repeatedly emphasized embracing persecution, such as when he describes the "highest degree of perfection.  It consists in preferring, for the sole love of Jesus Christ, and from the wish to resemble Him more, poverty to riches, shame to honor,... Christ could have destroyed His enemies, and yet He spared them, and freely gave Himself up to their hate ... to inspire us with the desire to prefer with Jesus ... contempt to reputation and the esteem of men..."  p. 140
     Yet, ... this rock solid mountain of Encounter Ministries has not skipped a beat and has continued in many other states as the Holy Spirit moves!  We are all praying and fasting for our next bishop and those decision makers on that choice, that the Holy Spirit lead them to another faithful shepherd who will reopen powerfully, this exquisite community and ministry in Columbus and in our diocese again.  Online please go to "Encounterministries.us" to witness all they have to offer the world.  Come, Holy Spirit, come!  A newer extension from Encounter is Urban Encounter, a model for living in the Spirit with the poorest in the inner city, which sounds like the Early Church of the first century, living in "profound poverty and profound joy."  Please support both ministries in your prayers and in any other manner possible!

 This quote of the day gives a feel of the entire experience:

my speech and my message were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Saint Paul 1 Corinthians 2:4-5Books on these subjects that I would highly recommend are:Healing, by Dr. Mary Healy and Healing, by Francis McNutt
       Recently a newer friend said to me that she tried the charismatic stuff and did not like it.  When I explained my experience with it for approximately 43 years - my best experiences having come from the West and Central sides of Columbus, Ohio in the first 25 years - she said, "I WOULD LOVE THAT."

Prayer Meetings of

 Our Roots

(Roots of the Charismatic Renewal for parish prayer groups)                                                                Approx. Times

                                             (Some nights the Holy Spirit

                                                                  wants more in one area)

1.  Praise and Singing         20 min.
2.  Silence                          7-8  min.
      A teaching can be inserted for 2 and 3
3.  Group Sharing                 13-15 min.
4.   Praise Mode                10-15 min.

5.  Praying for Self and Others   10-15 min.

 Final Song and A Few Shared  Miracles/prayers Announc.          5-10 min.

Fellowship after         15-20 min.
 

What each looks like:

1.                Leadership: 

         This could be one or two people, and in a spirit of the genuine humility that Christ speaks of about a true leader (“servant of all”).  The idea is to call down the Holy Spirit nearly constantly upon others – for praise, sharing, revelation, inspiration, love, peace – in addition to listening to God.  The leader rarely speaks, nor any other one person repeatedly.

          To maintain this spirit of humility, there is a round-robin style of leadership where there are about 4 leaders (or sets of leaders) who take turns leading, a different one each week for about four weeks.  How humbling for them and beautiful for the group to be served in this manner! 

2.                Praise, Singing, and Music Ministry:  

       There may be one or two pre-planned songs, but then the Holy Spirit inspires all of the others, through any person, as to what He wants sung at this and that time for the singing, or murmuring of tongues, etc.  Each person present can be utilized by the Holy Spirit to name a song He wants sung during those designated times at the beginning and in the sustained praise time (mainly).  After the sharing time, the songs continue to be sprung from the witnesses, testimonies, and types of miracles or lessons that took place and were expressed from that week.  If the music ministry cannot play it, we just sing it.  Very beautiful, and led by the Holy Spirit in great trust. 

       All the singing has space between songs for the Holy Spirit to speak to us, mainly absolute silence.  The silent times are powerful times!!  It requires much patience and restraint of the leadership and on music ministry people. 
      New songs are welcome, if they copy music for people to see.  The music is always fresh and alive, sprung from the Holy Spirit and from lessons and inspirations of the Holy Spirit for that particular week's theme that is revealed at the prayer group through the sharing.

3.                Sharing Time is Brief:  During #3. Sharing, each person keeps their sharing to two or three minutes and only a few share each week (5 or 6).  If someone quotes a Scripture during another part, and someone has a confirmation of that (exact same scripture or theme that week), they can confirm that on the spot (pretty exciting when this happens like popcorn!).  This lends to much greater praise and worship!
          * NOTE -- It is very critical that this not be the time to “discuss” with each other things shared.  It is basically one-sided and very brief, and if an inspiration comes for that person (to help them) during Sharing, write it down and tell them during fellowship after, or in small groups of three if that is offered during the praying over time (and they are in their group).  Sharing time is not a therapy session.

4.                 What it looks like:

    The leader of that night will open with a short prayer of the Holy Spirit, something like “We come before you God with our hearts open to praise you, learn from you and bring each other to greater holiness of life.  We lay our burdens at the foot of Your Cross” - wait a little – “and give them completely over to you.”

                      It is easier to begin to praise when we are unburdened when our

               thoughts are unburdened.  

                       The leader then does not speak much only gently steers toward the

              next component of a balanced prayer meeting/group if necessary.  “How

              has the Lord been moving in your lives this week?” “Now let’s have some

              silent time to listen to the Holy Spirit.”  Most of these do not even need to

              be said eventually.  People get used to the flow of all components of a

              balanced prayer group center.  There’s a feel and a flow that is natural and

              balanced.  Too many songs, verbally expressed prayers or comments, or too 
              much talking can kill community.  The leader prays constantly for  
              discernment as to when to step in or hold back.

                       Totally quiet and silent times are welcome and not a sign of failure or

             dead air!  Those are the most powerful times of the Holy Spirit speaking

              back to us stirring us to the soul!

                       In the ALPHA training they emphasized this point true in old-time

             charismatic prayer meetings:  that when praying with someone, [and

             leading a charismatic group] you don’t keep repeatedly talking and talking,

             no matter how  strongly you want to:  “If you find your mind saying, ‘and I

             just feel that the Lord wants,… and just… and I just… and just… [because

             you think you’re feeling it so strongly] there’s something wrong.”  You are

            doing too much and the Holy Spirit is not allowed to do it Himself within                       people's souls.  Let go and let God.

                        Rarely there is a short prayer over everyone, inspired by the Holy

              Spirit, for anyone to pray out loud over the people.   All are welcome

              provided it is not coming too often from one person, even the leader.

           A Scripture is welcome at any point even during the singing time.

            The gift of tongues is welcome at any point (aside from a microphone).  Scripture speaks of “different kinds of tongues” so some may be the joyful shout as done sporadically in the history of the Israelites but more often it is at the speaking level sometimes the soft level, words and phrases that are not English, repeated ones like melodious soft singing and murmuring in tongues, (Fr. Cantalamessa, four popes’ priest, his favorite too!) lauds etc. this sung at varying levels – whatever the Holy Spirit decides to stir in His sweeps.  It is more a receptical experience of the Holy Spirit within coming out through us and not us doing it consciously (speaking or singing).  It is a beautiful experience to be caught up and enveloped in the Spirit, with soft, lovely murmurings and singing to Him.

           We never had a microphone, even with 60-70 people.  We sat in extremely close proximity and could hear the faintest murmuring of tongues, 

      4.  Praying Over, Praying With, and Praying For:

I.                    Praying Over:  This is the laying on of hands (usually over a head), with full and partial healings, conversions, life-changes, and other major happenings in a person's life (in other words, not often).  A person may fall backwards because the rush of the Holy Spirit is so intense.  The person or prayer team for this prayer has a special and rarer gift (of calling down the Holy Spirit in mighty stirrings down upon people, sort of like the first Pentecost).

II.                  Praying With: This is a more often/common form of praying at prayer meetings and is done in threesome – everyone has this gift – and you get to talk a little longer for explanation (2 min.) about the problem or person needing prayers.  The other two lay a hand(s) on you somewhere and pray with you.  Sometimes a vision or word of insight, etc. comes to any three.  Then they rotate if prayer is needed, to another in the group.  The whole thing is fairly short and takes place as another option during the praying over people time.  Mighty things happen here too!

III.                Praying For: This is done at the very end, in a large circle, for a couple of bigger things such as the nation, etc. It can also be a mini-thanksgiving for this or that resolved problem, miracle, etc., that was not conveyed during the sharing time.

    5.  Final Song and Fellowship After:  We come together in a circle and do a few wider prayers (and a couple of thanksgivings), sometimes hand-in-hand and sometimes arm-in-arm.  We then sing a final song.  The fellowship after is crucial, as mentioned in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office pamphlet.  All hands on deck for this critical fellowship for each and every member. This is the opportunity to bond a community in love, which is God.  A special outpouring is toward newcomers, with time spent talking with them. Members also know that this is available when they had been wanting to talk too long perhaps during the prayer meeting – knowing that all members will gladly take part.

    Below is an official Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office pamphlet, very wise and consistent to what I have experienced, mailed to me about four years ago by Jackie Temple, former director. I cannot scan it in, and so, I will retype it line by line.
  
WHAT IS A PRAYER MEETING?

A "PRAYER MEETING" is a weekly gathering of Christians to give honor, praise, thanks and love to Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior.  It is a time we gather in community to praise God on a one-to-one basis.  A "Prayer Meeting" is not a discussion club, a therapy session or a time for counseling, but a time to give our full attention to Jesus through the help of the Holy Spirit (who will teach us all truth).
A Prayer Meeting has 2 purposes
     1.  To praise, worship and honor God
     2.  To build up the Body of Christ (as brothers and sisters)

What is the Content of a "Prayer Meeting"?
Opening prayer, praise and worship; prophecy (God speaks to us through one of His children); tongues, interpretation of tongues; scripture reading; teachings; testimony and sharing.

How long do the "Prayer Meetings" last?
Usually about 1  1/2 hours (counting fellowship after). Matt 26:40, "How is it that you were not able to watch with me for one hour?"

Do I have to raise my hands and pray like others do?
NO!  You should pray in the way in which you feel comfortable, as if you were alone communicating with Jesus.  Pray as you feel comfortable, but respect others' way of prayer and praise.

Is a prayer group a parish organization?
Yes, a prayer group is made up of individuals who come together weekly as a family for the purpose of giving Jesus the praise He deserves.  The first and primary purpose of all prayer is to praise and honor God, who created us and gives us all the gifts and blessings we enjoy each day.  The prayer group is under the authority of the parish pastor and should keep him informed periodically.

What are the spiritual gifts we pray for?
See 1 Cor. 12-14.  Word of Wisdom; Word of Knowledge; Faith; Gifts of Healing; Miracles and Interpretation of tongues; Prophecy (2 Peter 1:20-21); Discernment of Spirits and tongues (Acts 5:12-16).

Is the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" a new sacrament?
No.  It is not a Sacrament, it is merely a RELEASE of the POWER of the Holy Spirit already received in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation helping us to know Jesus, the Bible, our daily prayer life, our faith, etc. in a deeper way.

Do we have to speak at a prayer meeting?
NO -- the ones that speak, prophecy or read are usually moved to do so by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you."

What is a testimony?
Telling how the Lord is working in your life.  One's testimony should be short and to the point. [This gives great glory to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit]

How can I grow spiritually?
Attend the "Prayer Meeting" each week.  Have a regular prayer time each day (taking time to listen) 10 minutes to an hour and talk to the Lord throughout the day.  Read the Bible at least 15 minutes per day.  Short courses will be offered; "Life in the Spirit Seminars and Growth Seminars, etc."

Who can give a teaching at a meeting?
A teaching is reserved to one who has cleared it through the leadership or core group.  This is to insure proper teaching.

Is a prayer meeting based on scripture?
Ephesians 5:18-19.  "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with you heart to the Lord."  Yes, Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in My Name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:19-20); 1 Cor 14:26; Acts 2:42; Revelations 3:20-21; Revelations 22:17.  Covenant Community (one step further) Acts 2:46.

Why do we sing?
(Colossians 3:16)  Singing is a way of praying, praising, and worshipping God.  St. Augustine said, "he who sings prays twice."  It should not turn into a songfest.  We should PAUSE between songs, readings, prophecy, etc., and LISTEN.  This is the time the Holy Spirit can speak to us.  We need silence to reflect and allow the Spirit to work.

Why do some greet others with a hug?
This is just a sign of brotherhood.  See 1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thes. 5:6 and 1 Peter 5:14.

Where can I read about the Holy Spirit in Scripture?
John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16: 7-14, Acts: 1,2,4, 8, Acts 2:3, 17; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:5-6; Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8: 1-17; 26-27; 1 Cor. 2:6-16, 3:16, Gal. 5:16-26 and many more.

Is Satan real?
See Ephesians 6:10=18, 1 Peter 5:8 Matt. 4: 1-11, Matt.10:1-8, Matt. 13:36; Mark 1-4.

What is the importance of prayer and fasting?
See Matt. 17:20-21; Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22-26; Mark 14:37-38; Luke 6:12; Luke 11:1-11; John 8 42-47; Luke 4: 1-2, Luke 6: 12-16; John 11: 41-42; Matt. 26:36-46; Acts 2:42.

What should I keep in mind as I attend a prayer meeting?

• Come at least 4 or 5 times before making a decision.  It takes that long to understand how the Holy Spirit is working.
• Pray as you feel comfortable and let others do the same.
• Praying alone we are easily distracted.  We support each other at a Prayer Meeting.
• Pause between songs, reading and teaching to allow the Spirit to work.
• Don't concentrate on others, concentrate on Jesus and YOU.
• All ages are welcome, we are all children of God.
• Prepare for the meetings through prayer and sacrifice.
• Don't be afraid; you are with friends.  Don't let the devil, the evil one, discourage you.
• You will experience the "fruits of the Spirit" as you progress. (Gal. 5:22 and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12).
• If you do not have an opportunity to speak or share at meetings, you may do so after the meeting with others during the time of fellowship. (There may be one before in some groups).
• If you have questions, please don't leave until you get an answer.  We love you and together we love God and HELP EACH OTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Inc., 4207 East Broad St., Ste. C, Columbus, Ohio 43213-1200 Jackie Temple [note: the new director is Linda Pelino at a different address, this is four years old).

Final Thoughts: 

·         Bring an open heart and spirit for something completely new, and your Bible!

·         Have a pencil or pen and paper to write down inspirations, prophetic words, Scriptures or spiritual reading shared that speak to you (it is not necessary that they are shared when they touch you; it may be for your private walk of holiness).

·         You can stop and write at any time when something hits you, but please, if the sharing time has gone on for about 15 minutes, pray about waiting to share it afterwards during the critical fellowship time.

Life-Changing Quotes Honoring Our Mother, Mary

from The Spritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. These are workouts for the soul, just like hard exercise and weight training are for the body.  -- The soul "exercise" of meditating on her pregnancy and beyond:   ".. the blood of Mary became the blood of Jesus: Jesus is flesh of her flesh; He lives with her, breathes with her breath; He is in her, of her entirely.  Thus the angels says, 'The Lord is with thee.' (Luke 1:28)"  p. 185, -- "... Mary is soon placed on His right hand, that is associated with His glory and His all-powerful action and salvation in the world..." pp. 185-186-- "... And what creature is more like to Jesus as Mary?  The laws of nature ordain that the son should resemble the mother..." p. 187-- "... Her perfect charity which made her so prompt in visiting Elizabeth, .. so attentive at the marriage of Cana, so devoted, so heroic during the labors and sorrows of her Son, so useful to the Apostles ["John, behold thy mother.."], so dear to the infant Church." p. 188

-- "... Jesus Himself God, obeyed her for 30 years ... What lesson does the docility of this teach to us sons by adoption ..' -- St. Bernard" -- "... Giving us Jesus through Mary was to give us the authority of the Queen of Heaven, how extensive the power of the Mother of God! ... How safe are those she protects!' -- St. Bernard" 

-- "... by you the Trinity is glorified, ... the holy cross is celebrated and adored throughout the universe, .. the heavens joyful, ... angels tremble with joy of Him, ... devils put to flight, ... idolatrous, [given] incarnate truth, ... faithful ... baptism, churches raised all over the world, ... gentiles repentence.." pp. 188-189-- This "exercise" of the soul is to meditate with Mary at the foot of the cross looking up at Jesus: "See Mary at the foot of the cross; hear Jesus saying to you [personally], 'Behold, thy Mother.'"

-- "Jesus who lavished the blood He derived from Mary...  His mother and yours, should serve as your advocate, your refuge, and your mediatrix with Him.. for a mother always loves her child; and Jesus, Son of God, will always love His mother." p. 190-- " ... [Have] love for her, ... gratitude, ... filial affection, ... confidence, -- that your trust in her might be unlimited, that we might know that she would always be able and willing to help us." -- "If the winds of temptation blow .. a sigh towards Mary.  If waves of pride, ambition, jealousy ... seek to swallow of the would, ... a prayer to Mary.  If anger, ... love of pleasure ... seek the eyes of Mary ... If trouble of conscience ... attach your heart to Mary.  In your dangers, anguish, your doubts, think of Mary, call on Mary.  Let Mary be on your lips and in your heart ... You have nothing to fear while she protects you ... you will reach the harbor of safety without weariness..' -- St. Bernard" pp. 192-193
      From my Benedictine Oblate newsletter is part of an article below.

Set Aside Your Own WillAnd Walk Alongside the Lord
"It is only three words: 'dying to self.'  It seems disarmingly simple, but in reality, andespecially in today's world, the idea of dying to self is confoundedly complex...Image if we oblate, and the whole world,chose to obey God -- and each other --casting aside our own concerns, abandoningour own will, and stepping away from whatever we are doing at the moment, leaving it unfinished -- and leaving it toTod:  choosing to 'empty ourselves out sothat the presence of God can come in,tangible and present and divinely human'(Joan Chittister, Rule of St. Benedict, ASpirituality for the 21st Century)... To the Corinthians, Paul declared, 'Do notdeceive yourselves. If you think you are wisein this age, you should become fools so thatyou may become wise.  For the wisdom ofthis world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3: 18-19)."