A day of grace and mercy

“Come and join me once a year for a day of teaching” was the call Archbishop Christopher Prowse sent out to Catholic Charismatic Renewal members in the Archdiocese.

Following the inaugural teaching day last year, about 150 people gathered to celebrate the 2016 theme of “Rich in Mercy”.

Archbishop Prowse’s teaching centred on the grace of the Renewal and the richness it has brought to the church over the years.

He strongly encouraged people to reach out in mercy to those on the peripheries, to meet them where they are at, and to minister to them in love as Jesus would.

Many expressions of the Renewal were represented on the day, including Couples for Christ, Community of the Risen Lord, Disciples of Jesus covenant community, Missionaries of God’s Love and Jesus Youth.

Members of charismatic prayer groups and others keen to learn more about charismatic spirituality gathered from Cootamundra, Crookwell, Goulburn, Moruya and Canberra.

Organised by the CCR Service Committee for the Archdiocese, the day featured praise and worship, two teachings from the Archbishop, a video and intercessory prayer to help families deal with the impact of the Safe Schools program.

The day finished with a charismatic Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Prowse, Fr Ken Barker MGL and Fr Chris Eaton MGL. Fr Bernie Patterson administered the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Several attendees shared their testimonies in the afternoon. “Now I understand that the Charismatic Renewal is an integral part of the Catholic Church,” one remarked.

“The Archbishop has helped me to understand it is simply a fuller expression of our Catholic faith.”

Archbishop Prowse also recognised Br Matt McKeon for his many years of faithful service to the Renewal.