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THERE IS A TIME FOR TEARING DOWN AND A TIME FOR BUILDING UP
by Deacon Dennis Chitwood
Some of you may recall the prophetic vision that the structure of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in St. Louis would be different. Over the past 25 years the Renewal has gone through much change, some minor while others are more significant. Recently the evolution of the ministry has taken new form and at the same time appears to be somewhat the same. There is a closer affiliation of the various healing and teaching ministries commonly associated with the center, which appears to be like it was originally. The substructure, which few see, is what has changed the most.
We now have a steering committee made up of deanery representatives and representatives from the various ministries as well as representatives of some of the ethnic groups in St. Louis. The service committee still is in existence as part of the steering committee as well as serving as a working committee. What I mean as working is that the committee is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the center. Those who have been serving on this committee have done so for two years beyond their original commitment. At the beginning of this year, some of them chose to step aside to let others serve the needs of the Catholic Charismatic Center. We now have vacancy for a person from St. Charles County, Jefferson County, North County/City and the Central City. Our current needs are for someone who is excellent with Microsoft Word and Excel, someone who has the talents to be the webmaster, someone who can coordinate the Life in the Spirit seminars. These candidates must have an openness to discernment of spirits and the good will for those who are in authority in the Church. If you feel that you are called to submit your name to this working service committee, please send a letter describing your gifts.
A very interesting evolution and large part of the new structure is the monthly leadership summits. These are gatherings of anyone who chooses to come, but in particular those in leadership of the more than 60 prayer groups, to help discern the action of the Holy Spirit. We have had two powerful gatherings at Blessed John XXIII Center where many experienced the anointing of the Spirit and then departed with a revived spirit. We also have seen clear direction to have a pool of teachers and more monthly gatherings, for the Catholic Charismatic Center. The next gathering is March 16th with a focus on giving Life in the Spirit Seminars
We are in need of gifted spiritual teachers to share with others the good news in designated areas of concern. Because of the many Life in the Spirit Seminars, there is a need for teachers to help develop prayer groups and also help to explain how the Spirit works in everyday life. We are compiling a list of teachers for the monthly gatherings and as a resource for prayer groups. If you are a gifted spiritual teacher or know of a gifted spiritual teacher, please send a letter about the topics you can teach or call the office 314-633-2570.
"Now is a time for planting and a time for harvesting"
Please accept this letter as a personal invitation to the monthly leadership summits. All are welcome. The next meeting, March 16 at the new Blessed John XXIII Center, 8300 Morganford, St Louis, 63123.
Mass at 8:30 a.m. and meeting following. We should finish around noon.
Call and make a reservation 314-633-2570
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