jesusyouth magazine July 06

40 Spiritfilled years

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In 2007, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. What has itscontribution been to the Catholic Church and what is the way forward? Some of these questions wereexamined at the recent international conference organised by ICCRS (International Catholic CharismaticRenewal Services) in Fuiggi, a spa town outside Rome from 5th-9th June 2006, and the international leaders’meeting that followed.

These can be hard questions to answer, as CCR is a little different from the other lay movements in theChurch in that it has no founder or formal membership or all encompassing structure. Cardinal Suenens,one of the moderators of the Vatican II Council and an early champion of the CCR called it “a move of theSpirit” and simply normal Christianity. As the 20th century progressed, the hierarchy had become concernedabout the phenomenon in the Church of “baptised pagans”, those who had been baptised but showed noevidence of a living relationship with Christ. Suenens saw the CCR as a response of the Holy Spirit to this.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL AND ITS ENDURING INFLUENCE

HEART TALK

AROUND 120 MILLION PEOPLERENEWED, AWAKENED BY ANEWFOUND RELATIONSHIP WITHTHE LORD, ENTHUSED BY THE JOY OFPRAYING, AND INFUSED WITH A NEWLOVE FOR THE CHURCH.

LAY PEOPLE IMBUED WITH ANINTENSE DESIRE TO KNOW, STUDY,AND LIVE BY THE SCRIPTURES.

GREATER AWARENESS OF ANDDEVOTION TO THE SACRAMENTS.

RESURGENCE OF SHARING,SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES ANDPRAYER GROUPS, AS IN THE EARLYCHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.

RESTORATION OF CHARISMS,HEALING, PRAYER TO THE HOLYSPIRIT, ETC., INTO THE MAINSTREAMLIFE OF THE CHURCH.

ADVENT OF A JOYFUL SPIRITUALITYWITH ROOM FOR SPONTANEITY ANDCREATIVE EXPRESSION, WITH THEREVIVAL OF PRAYER FORMS AND USEOF CONTEMPORARY FORMS OFMUSIC IN LITURGY.

NEW IMPETUS FOR EVANGELISATIONIN THE CHURCH BY LAY PEOPLE WITHA GREAT ZEAL FOR MISSION.

EMERGENCE OF YOUTH MOVEMENTS,CREATING A PEOPLE WITH ADESIRE TO BE HOLY AND TO SERVETHE CHURCH.

COUNTLESS VOCATIONS TO THEPRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE.

RISE OF NUMEROUS SOCIALCONCERN INITIATIVES.

BIRTH OF ECUMENICALINITIATIVES TO RESTORE UNITY TOTHE BODY OF CHRIST.

CURBED THE FLOW OF CATHOLICSTO OTHER DENOMINATIONS.

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It was around 11 p.m. one night in Fiuggi, a picturesque hill town in Italy.I was with a small group of participants of the Leaders’ Colloquium organisedas part of the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. We wereseated in a wayside cafe, chatting over coffee. Suddenly Bishop ChristopherProwse from Australia, wearing just a collar like any ordinary priest, got up fromour midst with a smile and walked to the next table. He smiled at the peopleseated there, said something and smiled again. Soon he was seen talking toeveryone in the cafe - and later blessing them with a genuine concern. Wecontinued to watch as the Bishop moved into the next cafe, praying for apregnant woman, joking with a couple and blessing everyone in there. Soonthe cafe was filled with smiles. This simple, loving, unexpected gesture of theBishop opened my eyes to a different dimension of pastoral care. With theexemplary presence of such Spirit filled pastors and leaders in our midst, howmuch more should we Jesus Youth be challenged and inspired to reach out topeople beyond the borders of our inhibitions and comfort levels !

Personally, the last three months, though hectic, have been extremely blessedfor me. I had the privilege of being invited to two meetings organised by thePontifical Council for the Laity: the World Youth Day Consultation meeting,and also the meeting of members of the Ecclesial Movements and NewCommunities with the Pope, a highly enriching ceremony attended by around400,000 young people. As I stood among the throng of youngsters, I wasamazed at the influx of young people to the throne of St. Peter - the heart ofthe Church - from the time of Pope John Paul II and continuing unabated tothat of Pope Benedict XVI.

Like the Church and other movements, Jesus Youth is also gearing up forWorld Youth Day. The South East Asia Leaders’ Conference, a preparatoryconference for the WYD is scheduled to be held in Singapore from 21st – 24th

Oct. During my last visit to Sydney, the venue of WYD 2008, the initial plansfor hosting the JY delegates were worked out with the local Australia JY team.The Jesus Youth pilgrims will fly to Brisbane for the Youth Arise InternationalFestival on the 10th of July 2008, and move to Sydney on the 14th for the WYDfrom the 15th – 20th, and continue to stay there for the Jesus YouthInternational Conference to be held in the parish of Liverpool from the 21st - 23rd.

For our movement, this is indeed a time of tremendous grace. The training ofthe first international batch of full time volunteers is in full swing in Sri Lankawith 24 participants from 9 countries. Besides this, an in-depth leadershipprogramme covering 350 participants across four continents is also under way.There are four major conventions lined up for Europe and Asia to be held in theUK, Jordan, Singapore/Bangkok, and India in 2007. All the lively happenings ofour times brings to my mind the words of Mark Nimo, a renowned speaker andformer ICCRS member from Ghana, as he addressed the Jesus Youth Conferencein Bangalore, India. Pointing to the joyful approach of Jesus Youth to life, ourfaithfulness in prayer and fellowship, our commitment and missionary zeal, ourreadiness to take risks, and the rise of new initiatives, he said, “You do notknow the value of these graces that have been showered on you. Many othersare trying hard to gain them, but they are showered naturally on you”.

Yes! Grace is flowing in and I believe the time is ripe for us to recieve it freely,live in its fullness and share it with others. This living and sharing will bepossible only if we are ready to pay the price in an extraordinary way. It isheartening to see this happening already in the lives of many people I know,like two young couples in the US - Sunil and Sindhu, Georgie and Sunita. Thefour of them and their five children live together in the less spacious floorupstairs so that they can offer the ground floor and basement for JY gatheringsand activities. Recently I met George Devassy, a zealous young man headingthe JY activities in Thailand, who has rented a two storeyed building and liveson the first floor with his friends so that the Jesus Youth there can have anoffice in the floor below.

Let us like them take to heart Isaiah 54:2 - “Enlarge the place of your tent;let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back...”

Manoj SunnyJesus Youth International Co-ordinator

COVER STORY

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Instead of it beingsimply a matter ofhead knowledgeabout doctrineand beliefs,the CharismaticRenewal helpedthe Christian faithto become a realand living reality inthe every day livesof people.

40 Spirit filled years

Underpinning the CCR is a shared spiritualexperience known as “Baptism in the Spirit”.This is a renewal of the experience of Pentecostin the life of the believer, who begins toexperience the Holy Spirit empowering himwith the same gifts and power as the firstapostles had, as well as a great love ofScripture, prayer and praise of God.Spontaneous examples of this began to ariseamong Roman Catholics in the 1960s. Anacknowledged key event for the start of theCCR in the Roman Catholic Church was theDuquesne weekend in 1967, when a group ofstudents from Duquesne Universityexperienced the Baptism of the Holy Spiritwhile on a retreat. One of the key vehicles tohelp spread the understanding of the Baptismin the Spirit was the ‘Life in the Spirit’seminars initially developed by the Word ofGod community in Ann Arbor in the US.

Part of this new move of the Holy Spirit was there-emergence of the charisms, which St. Paultalks about in his letters, including speakingin tongues, healing and prophecy. (cf. Rom. 12& 1Cor. 12) These were considered normal inthe Christian life in the early Church but hadgradually disappeared from normal Churchpractice or had become institutionalised. Theirrestoration into the mainstream life of theChurch has been a key contribution of the CCRover the last 40 years.

The Catholic Church has always believed in theuse of extraordinary charisms, but in the past,they tended to be seen as restricted to specialpeople, ‘saints’. The CCR showed, however thatthe Holy Spirit was showering these on veryordinary lay people, who had no theologicalformation, equipping all kinds of people toevangelise and serve the Church.

A sign as to how much the CCR has influencedthe attitude of the Church in regard to thecharisms can be seen in the Pentecost 1998address of Pope John Paul II. Here he publiclyacknowledged the importance of the“charismatic dimension” in the Church, whichhe said had tended to be forgotten, and which,

he affirmed, was “co-essential” to its“hierarchical dimension”. He went on to urge thewhole Church to open itself docilely to the giftsthe Holy Spirit was wishing to bestow on it.

The CCR initially spread so quickly and so far,precisely because there was no particularstructure or controlling authority or entryqualifications. Instead, the personal witness ofthose touched by the Holy Spirit encouragedtheir listeners in their turn to committhemselves more fully to Christ and hismessage. Instead of it being simply a matter ofhead knowledge about doctrine and beliefs,the Charismatic Renewal helped the Christianfaith to become a real and living reality in theevery day lives of people. The CCR thus becamea huge impetus for evangelisation in theChurch both on a one-to-one level and throughevents and programmes.

At a time when Vatican II was in its infancyand Catholic practice tended to be confined tothe rosary, benediction, and Mass going, this

was all heady stuff. As there was noprecedent for this in Catholic liturgy, thesegatherings initially tended to be modelledon those of the Pentecostal Church orcharismatics of other persuasions with praiseand worship, personal witness, Bible sharingand prayer for healing. Many of the earlyCharismatic meetings were ecumenical, andbeing non-Eucharistic gatherings, it wasrelatively easy for those of differentdenominations to be united. Fr. PeterHocken, a historian of this 20th century moveof the Holy Spirit, believes these ecumenicalroots are intrinsically linked to its callingand that the CCR has been sent by the Lordas part of his plan to restore unity to thebody of Christ to prepare for the SecondComing. This call to unity seems to be atcentre stage once again for Pope Benedict XVIhas also signalled unity to be one of the keyfocuses of his pontificate.

The CCR has given rise to countlessvocations to the priesthood and religiouslife. It has prompted many lay people to wantto know more about their faith and attendBible studies or to do more formal theologicalstudies. One of the changes brought aboutby Vatican II was a new understanding ofwhat it meant to be Church. Instead of thetwo tier system that had existed before,whereby the professionals - priests andreligious - were called to be holy and servethe Church, it was now understood to be theresponsibility of all the people of God, andthe CCR has helped create a people who werewilling to take on this challenge.

Charismatics are known for their ability topray spontaneously and for their beautifulworship songs, many of which have filteredinto normal parish life, without peoplerealising where they have come from. Thishas happened because of the lack ofstructure within the CCR generally, whichhas meant that once people have beenbaptised in the Holy Spirit, they have tendedto return to the parish situation and servethere. A survey undertaken by the EnglishNSC in 2005 shows that those who have hadtheir faith awakened through the CCR areamong the most committed in the CatholicChurch. In the UK many of the diocesanteams evangelising young people, as well aspaid lay youth chaplains and lay youthworkers in parishes, often come from aCharismatic background. The survey alsorevealed that many chaplains, spiritualdirectors, pastoral assistants, and deaconsfelt they owed their vocations to the CCR.

In countries like Brazil, where the hierarchyhas really backed the CCR, the effect on theChurch has been phenomenal. Today it isreckoned that 12 million people have beenbaptised in the Holy Spirit and there are20,000 prayer groups. It is generallyrecognised that in Latin America the CCR has

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that happened to a few private individuals butto the whole group of apostles and disciples ofthe time! Pentecost created a new reality(previously non-existent), namely, theChurch! And throughout salvation history, thefocus of the work of the Spirit has been thebuilding up of this Church.

That is why, if the CCR is genuinely of the HolySpirit, it cannot but be an ecclesialphenomenon, IN the Church, and FOR theChurch! Over 120 million Catholics, havingexperienced in new and deeper ways the loveof God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and thefellowship of the Holy Spirit, have become morefaithful members of the local and universalChurch, and have helped to build it up inSpirit-filled and Spirit-led creative andcourageous ways. The testimony of threePopes, of numerous National Conferences ofBishops, and of hundreds of thousands of thelaity, confirm this fact. For example, Pope JohnPaul II said: “As you celebrate the 25th

anniversary of the beginning of the CatholicCharismatic Renewal, I willingly join you ingiving praise to God for the many fruits whichit has borne in the life of the Church. Theemergence of the Catholic Charismatic Renewalfollowing the Second Vatican Council was aparticular gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church…” (L’Osservatore Romano, March 14, 1992).

At an earlier audience granted to theInternational Leaders’ Conference (of which Ihappened to be the Chairman), the Pope usedvery strong language. “The vigor andfruitfulness of the CCR certainly attest to thepowerful presence of the Holy Spirit at work inthe Church after the Second Vatican Council…Because of the Spirit, the Church preserves acontinual youthful vitality, and the CatholicCharismatic Renewal is an eloquentmanifestation of this vitality today, a boldstatement of ‘what the Spirit is saying to theChurches’ as we approach the end of theSecond Millennium…”(Ibid., May 14, 1987).

KRISTINA COOPERKristina Cooper is a well known

Catholic journalist. She was baptisedin the Holy Spirit in Panama in 1983and has worked full time for the CCR

in the UK editing the Good Newsmagazine since 1986.

stemmed the haemorrhaging of Catholics toother denominations.

In India the CCR saw the birth of severalpowerful ministries such as the Divine RetreatCentre at Potta, with thousands of peopleattending retreats, being converted, healed,and prompted to serve the Church and societyin new ways. The renewed understanding ofthe power of prayer has affected the wholeChurch and led to a huge increase inintercessory prayer towers at many retreatcentres and parishes and in Mass attendanceamong young people in Catholic states suchas Kerala. Here CCR has given rise to youthmovements such as Jesus Youth, which

evangelise and disciple their contemporariesvery effectively, and which have spread all overthe world. It is difficult to quantify exactlyhow many people are involved in the CCR,because it depends how you define what CCRis. Missionologist David Barrett, however,claims that 120 million people have beentouched by the CCR worldwide over the past40 years.

In conclusion, the CCR is essentially abouttransformed people rather than a growing andpowerful movement. The problems that one cansee - divisions, dying of the charisms,diminishing fervour and commitment, groupsor individuals going off track, are humanfailings, which have happened since the

beginning of the Church. The CCR has helpedto make contemporary the book of Acts and theLetters of St. Paul in a Church that had becomeinstitutionalised and legalistic. And the callremains to each one of us to continually keepopen to the Holy Spirit and to what he mightbe calling us to do in the new situations wefind ourselves in so we can best serve him andour fellow men and women.

So too, the Catholic Bishops Conference of theUSA, in its “Pastoral Statement on the CCR”(1984) declared: “Since our last twostatements, we have seen the CCR mature inits grasp of the core of the Gospel and thoserealities which belong constitutively to theinner nature of the Church... many lives haveundergone a deep conversion, and haveradically re-oriented their lives toward God...Many have rediscovered the meaning ofChurch, Eucharistic life, Mary’s role, and theancient discipline of fasting... Many too haverediscovered the centrality of the cross, whichremains at the heart of Christian discipleshipeven after the glory of the resurrection and theoutpouring of the Spirit...”

In conclusion, I would like to suggest an areain which the Charismatic Renewal must makemore efforts to foster a genuine “newPentecost”, in the Church and for the Church.It concerns teaching our people genuinelysanctifying Catholic ways of praying – forexample, lectio divina, the ancient prayermethod of using the Scriptures. In just oneyear since his election, Pope Benedict XVI hasbeen recommending this repeatedly. I amconvinced that such scriptural prayer will helpus in a very powerful way “to live, no longer forourselves but for him...” We will then fulfillthe prophetic words of Pope John Paul II(Message for the World Youth Day 2002), “Dearyoung people, let the Gospel be the measureand guide of life’s decisions and plans! MayGod make you too the saints of the ThirdMillennium!”

FR.FIO MASCARENHAS SJFormer International CouncilChairman (1984–1987) and

Director (1981-1984) of ICCRS.He has also served as the

Chairman of the Renewal Servicesin India for several years.

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THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRITUPON SO MANY MEMBERS OF THECHURCH HAS ONE MAIN PURPOSE:TO ENABLE THEM TO LIVE, NOLONGER FOR THEMSELVES BUT FORTHE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HISBODY THE CHURCH!

CHARISMATIC RENEWALIN, AND FOR, THE CHURCH!

“And that we might live, no longer for ourselvesbut for Him, he sent the Holy Spirit from you,Father, as his first gift to those who believe, tocomplete his work on earth, and bring us thefullness of grace.” (4th Eucharistic Prayer of theMass, based on 2 Cor.5:15).

There is no better description of the purpose ofPentecost, and of the Charismatic Renewal(which has been personally experienced bymillions as a “new Pentecost”), than this text.The coming of the Holy Spirit upon so manymembers of the Church has one main purpose:to enable them to live, no longer forthemselves but for the Lord Jesus Christ andhis Body the Church! The Acts of the Apostlesshowed what Pentecost means in practice,namely, the inner experience of God’s lovepoured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit(through the life, death and resurrection ofJesus Christ), and the outward ability to shareit in practical and steadfast ways. Today’smembers of the CCR, among them cardinalsand bishops, priests and religious, laity bothmarried and single, and innumerable youth(like Jesus Youth) likewise, give evidence ofthe same fruit of the Spirit.

In his splendid Apostolic Letter, Novo MillennioInuente (nos.30-41), Pope John Paul IIsituated the whole programme of Christianactivity for the Third Millennium (and thereforeof the CCR too) in the context of the call toholiness. “Since Baptism is a true entry intothe holiness of God, it would be acontradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity,marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallowreligiosity... The time has come to re-proposewholeheartedly to everyone this high standardof ordinary Christian living: the whole life ofthe Christian community and of Christianfamilies must lead in this direction.” Noticethat, as the Popes often point out, theteaching of Scripture is that Jesus does notwant only some individuals to be renewed, butthe whole Body of Christ, the whole Church!Pentecost was not just something wonderful

retreat in an upper room chapel of a retreathouse in the outskirts of Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. And the first event of theretreat was the meditation on our Lady.The Professor who presented it wassomeone I had as teacher in class. Thatnight he seemed different. What none of usstudents knew at that moment was thatthis professor and three others (professorsfrom Duquesne University and one of theirwives) for months had been praying thatthey could experience the Holy Spirit in adeeper way. They were praying and hopingthat something would happen to us duringour weekend retreat. Well in fact it did.

On Saturday, one of the young men, DavidMangion had a wonderful suggestion. Hesaid, “Each year we Catholics renew ourBaptismal promises at the Paschal vigil. Whydon’t we close this retreat by having aceremony where we renew our confirmation?Now that we are young adults, we can makereal these graces we received when we wereyoung people.” But before even we could getto that point, the Holy Spirit intervened in avery sovereign way. Saturday later in theafternoon I wandered into the Chapel; therewere just a few students there. I didn’t haveany intention to pray. I was just going to tellany students up there to come down for abirthday party we were having that night.And when I entered the Chapel that

AS I MADE MYPREPARATION FORTHE RETREAT, I FOUNDMYSELF WONDERINGWHY AS A CATHOLICI DID NOT EXPERIENCEMORE OF THE POWEROF THE HOLY SPIRITIN MY LIFE.

Q: THE DUQUESNE EXPERIENCE IS TODAYWELL KNOWN AS THE STARTING POINT OFTHE CHARISMATIC RENEWAL. CAN YOULEAD US THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCE OFTHOSE EVENTFUL DAYS?

A: I was part of a Scripture Study group ofabout 20-25 students from the DuquesneUniversity. In February 1967 this groupmade their annual retreat based on thetheme of the Acts of the Apostles. Toprepare for the retreat, we read the firstfour chapters of the Acts and the book‘The Cross & the Switchblade’. As I mademy preparation for the retreat, I foundmyself wondering why as a Catholic I didnot experience more of the power of theHoly Spirit in my life. And so before leavingfor the retreat, I knelt down in my room(I was a third year University student) andI prayed a very simple prayer. I was aloneand I said, “Lord as a Catholic I believeI have already received Your Spirit inBaptism and Confirmation. But if it ispossible for Your Spirit to do more in mylife than He has done until now, I want it.”And I am sure now 40 years later that Goddid hear my prayer.

It was interesting that each time we leftfor a session we used the ancient hymn ofthe Catholic Church, ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’to invoke the Holy Spirit. We began our

Relivingthe DuquesneExperience

In the Catholic Church, the famous prayer of Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council are viewed as precursors to a new revival. A revivalof the ‘charismatic’ experience witnessed in the lives of the early apostles and saints like Teresa of Avila, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, FrancisXavier and Antony of Padua. This renewal, which in the course of time would touch the lives of an estimated 190 million Catholics in over 235countries, had its first manifestation in what is today referred to as the ‘Duquesne weekend’ or the ‘Duquesne experience’.

The Duquesne experience was a weekend retreat, where a group of students and professors of Duquesne University, Pennsylvania experienceda fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s gifts. It was initiated by a small scripture study group in the university that had for over a year been prayingfor a powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit within the Catholic Church. Today, this weekend retreat is recognized as the starting point of theCharismatic Renewal within the Catholic Church – a renewal that has been the launchpad for a host of diverse movements including our youngmovement, the Jesus Youth.

IN THIS THREE PART SERIES, MS. PATTI MANSFIELD, A SPIRIT FILLED SPEAKER AND ONE OF THE FIRST STUDENTS WHO WAS PART OF THE HISTORIC‘DUQUESNE WEEKEND’, SPEAKS TO DR. EDWARD EDEZHATH IN DETAIL ABOUT THIS HISTORIC EXPERIENCE AND ITS COUNTLESS FRUITS.

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particular night, February 18th 1967, for thefirst time in my life I knew why we Catholicscall Jesus in the tabernacle ‘the realpresence’. Because I really began to tremblewith the sense of the majesty of God and Hisgreatness. I remember thinking “If I stay herein the presence of Jesus, something is goingto happen to me”. I felt somewhat afraid andwanting to kind of run and hide myself. Muchgreater than my fear of a total surrender toJesus was the need that I had to do just that.I just prayed a prayer like this –” Father I givemy life to you and whatever you ask of me –I accept it. And if it means suffering, I acceptthat too. Teach me to follow Your Son Jesusand to love the way Jesus loved.” The nextmoment I found myself prostrate beforeJesus in the tabernacle. And I was flooded,from my fingertips down to my toes, with theincredible mercy of God’s love. I rememberonly one word of prayer that came to mymind, “Stay, stay, don’t ever leave me!”.I tasted and I saw for myself the sweetnessof the Lord. I didn’t know then that David hadbeen into the Chapel a few hours before meand had an identical experience.

Q: AT THAT POINT DID ANY OF YOU REALIZETHAT THE EXPERIENCE WOULD RADICALLYREVIVE THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE CHURCH INTHE COMING YEARS?

Neither of us knew that what had happenedto us that night February 18th 1967 wouldbegin a movement in the Catholic Churchcalled the Charismatic Renewal. All weknew was that we wanted to renew ourConfirmation, we wanted to accept Jesus asour Lord, Master and Saviour. After myexperience there was a sovereignoutpouring of the Spirit. Not all but half thestudents wound up in the Chapel before thetabernacle. Some were weeping, some werelaughing. Some others said they wanted topray but they knew it wasn’t going to comeout in English. We all prayed in tongues butwe did not know it was the gift of tongues.Some, like myself, found their arms tinglingand burning. One of the professors walkedin, and witnessing this scene he said,“What’s the Bishop going to say when hehears that all of these kids have beenbaptized in the Holy Spirit?” I heard thosewords ‘Baptized in the Holy Spirit’ for thefirst time. I still had no idea that what washappening would be a grace that wouldtransform millions in the coming years.

It took some time for us to kind of stumbleinto the Charismatic gifts like healing,discernment of spirits, prophesy and the like.We did not have any teachers; only thesebrothers and sisters from different

OF THE SPIRIT GROW? TELL ME, WAS THEREANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU PLANNED AS ACOMMUNITY OR IN A PRAYER MEETING ?

A: There were prayer meetings that existedprior to the outbreak of the CharismaticRenewal and many young people who madeit to the weekend were part of it. They hadgroup reunions where they gathered forreviewing how their week went, prayingwith one another. But once we werebaptized in the Holy Spirit, it was natural towant to be with one another - not to discussbut to be with one another to pray. And as Iwas saying, the gifts of the Spirit were justbeginning to blossom, we didn’t even knowthat they were the gifts of prophecy, prayingin tongues, interpretation and the like.So we were just going to begin a mode ofdiscovery of these wonderful things. Someof the marvellous leaders like Ralph Martinand Steve Clark who experienced theCharismatic Renewal put together a shortcourse which came to be known as the ‘Lifein the Spirit Seminar’, an experience of 7weeks where there were very basicpresentations on the love of God, salvationin Jesus, the gift of the Spirit, receiving theCharismatic gifts. There was a week whenpeople were prayed with, that they mightcommit their lives to Jesus as Lord andallow the Holy Spirit to baptize them. Thelast topic was ongoing transformation,about how the Lord uses trials, difficulties,sufferings of this life to really conform usmore and more to His image. So it was avery basic course called the ‘Life in theSpirit Seminar’ which has been adapted indifferent locales, cultures, gone by differentnames…but that has been a vehicle formillions and millions of people beingbaptized in the Holy Spirit. In many places ithappens spontaneously, I know in our areawe give weekend Holy Spirit retreats – manypeople have been baptized in the HolySpirit. There was also this desire from thevery earlier days to form ecumenicalrelationships in community. And thesecommunities have been formed in differentways all over the world. There are somehere in my country - sometimes calledcovenant communities. There have beenothers like the Emmanuel community inFrance which alone I think, has given birthto 130 priestly vocations.

AND SO THEREWAS THE CHURCHIN ITS DOCUMENTSGIVING ME THEASSURANCE THAT ISHOULD OPENMYSELF UP TO THEHOLY SPIRITALONG WITHTHESE WONDERFULSURPRISES, WHICHWERE THECHARISMATICGIFTS.

denominations. They were helping us but ofcourse there were no Pentecost Gatheringsin Rome with the Holy Father! It was reallyjust a matter of being led by the Holy Spiritday by day. As I commented in the presenceof the Holy Father at the Vigil of Pentecost,my immediate reaction after the experiencewas to take up the documents of Vatican IIand seek references to the Holy Spirit andCharismatic gifts. I said to myself, “What ifthe Church does not approve of such athing? “ And I knew that I would soonerdeny my personal experience than everthink of leaving the Church. So it was withgreat joy that I read in Lumen Gentium that“Charismatic gifts are the tools that areexceedingly useful for Catholics of everyrank”. And so there was the Church in itsdocuments giving me the assurance that Ishould open myself up to the Holy Spiritalong with these wonderful surprises, whichwere the Charismatic gifts.

Q: I WAS ALSO WONDERING, DID YOURECEIVE ANY HELP OR HAVE ANY PLANFOR FORMATION TO HELP THIS RENEWAL

PATTI GALLAGHER MANSFIELDFrom the early days of the Renewal she

has served as a leader through teaching,writing and pastoral ministry.

Patti is married to Al Mansfield,Co-ordinator of the Catholic Charismatic

Renewal of New Orleans, Louisiana,and has four children.

Photo Coutesy L’Osservatore Romano

(To be continued.)

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“… you are striving inunion with the wholeChurch for renewal -spiritual renewal, authenticrenewal, Catholic renewal,renewal in the Holy Spirit.[…] Yes, dear sons anddaughters, this is the willof Jesus that the worldshould see your goodworks, the goodness of youracts, the proof of yourChristian lives and glorifythe Father who is in heaven(Cf. Matt. 5, l6). Thisindeed is spiritual renewaland only through the HolySpirit can it beaccomplished. And this iswhy we exhort you earnestlyto “desire the higher gifts”(1Cor: 12, 31).”

POPE PAUL VI at the 3rd

International Congress ofthe Catholic CharismaticRenewal (May 19, 1975)

“The Church and the worldneed saints! And all thebaptized without exceptionare called to be saints! (...)Let your communities,therefore, be more and more“genuine schools of prayer,where the meeting with Christis expressed not just inimploring help but also inthanksgiving, praise,adoration, contemplation,listening and ardent devotion,until the heart truly “falls inlove”. For this is what thesaints are: people who havefallen in love with Christ. Andthis is why the CharismaticRenewal has been such a giftto the Church: it has led ahost of men and women,young and old, into thisexperience of the love whichis stronger than death.”

POPE JOHN PAUL IIat the 7th InternationalMeeting of the CFCCCF,Rome (22 June 2001)

“The vigour andfruitfulness of theRenewal certainly attestto the powerful presenceof the Holy Spirit at workin the Church in theseyears after the SecondVatican Council. Ofcourse, the Spirit hasguided the Church inevery age, producing agreat variety of giftsamong the faithful.Because of the Spirit, thechurch preserves acontinual youthfulvitality, and theCharismatic Renewal is aneloquent manifestation ofthis vitality today, a boldstatement of what “theSpirit is saying to thechurches” (Rev. 2:7).”

POPE JOHN PAUL II atthe 6th InternationalLeaders’ Conference,Rome (15 May 1987)

“The Catholic CharismaticRenewal has helped manyChristians to rediscoverthe presence and power ofthe Holy Spirit in theirlives, in the life of theChurch and in the world,and this rediscovery hasawakened in them a faithin Christ filled with joy, agreat love of the Churchand a generous dedicationto her evangelisingmission. In this year of theHoly Spirit, I join you inpraise of God for theprecious fruits which hehas wished to bring tomaturity in yourcommunities and, throughthem, in the particularChurches.”

POPE JOHN PAUL IIat the 9th Leaders’Conference, Fiuggi,(30 October 1998)

MATURINGIN THE SPIRIT

Allan Panozza, President of ICCRS addressing the Leaders’ Colloquium at Fuiggi

Bishop Christopher Prowse & Bishop Joseph Grech greeting the delegates of the ‘Open Conference’

As one borne by the waves of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal over the last 15years, it was with great expectation that I joined Manoj Sunny to attend theInternational Leaders’ Colloquium organised by the International CatholicCharismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) at Fuiggi, Rome from 9th to 11th June 2006 inconnection with the 40th anniversary of the CCR. As nearly 200 key leaders of theCCR from all over the world came together for the event, the excitement in the airwas tangible.

The Colloquium was an opportunity for leaders, to share, pray, discuss and reflecttogether. The presence of veteran Charismatic leaders, Archbishops and Bishops fromaround the world enriched the programme and lent depth to the event. What struck memost while in the presence of luminaries like Bishop Joseph Grech, Jim Murphy, AllanPanozza, Charles Whitehead, Sr. Nancy Keller, Patti Mansfield, Michelle Moran andothers, was the way they listened prayerfully and allowed themselves to be directed bythe promptings of the Spirit throughout the sessions. In fact, the whole focus of theColloquium was on tuning oneself to the voice of God through prayer and arriving at aclearer vision for the CCR in the coming years as summed up in the theme of theColloquium - ‘Maturing in the Spirit’.

It was uplifting to note that in all the sessions special mention was made of the role of youth and how they need to be continually encouraged toparticipate in Renewal activities. Great importance was given to ecumenism. Another constant reference made (one close to my heart) was concerning theevangelisation of Asia. The Colloquium gave me a greater awareness and a deeper conviction that India, and in particular the Jesus Youth movement, hasmuch to contribute towards this cause. It came as a pleasant surprise that the majority of people I met at the Colloquium already knew something aboutJesus Youth, mostly through the Rexband. As I listened to the ways the Lord has led different movements and communities around the world, my heartleaped with joy, for I realized that God has been leading Jesus Youth along the very same path. Participating in the Colloquium has given me greaterclarity regarding the special God-given call of Jesus Youth to work for evangelisation and of the long road that lies ahead.

RAIJU VARGHESE, Co-ordinator, JY India

“I therefore say to you, dearfriends of the Movements: act so as to ensure thatthey are always schools ofcommunion, groupsjourneying on in which onelearns to live in the truthand love that Christrevealed and communicatedto us through the witnessof the Apostles, in the heartof the great family of hisdisciples. May Jesus’exhortation ceaselessly re-echo in your hearts: “Letyour light so shine beforemen, that they may see yourgood works and give gloryto your Father who is inheaven” (Mt 5: 16). BringChrist’s light to all thesocial and cultural milieusin which you live.”

POPE BENEDICT XVI at the2nd World Congress onEcclesial Movements and NewCommunities (22 May 2006)

POPES ANDTHE RENEWAL

5 Questions on Visual Media and Christian ValuesCROSS QUESTIONS

When did you realize that your talent lay in the areaof visual media?Right from childhood, I used to have a group of friendswho were very interested in theatre and drama. Inschool, we spent a great deal of time in writing andstaging plays. In College too we were very passionateabout acting, theatre and the arts, often winning prizesin University level competitions.

How did your personal experience of Jesus influenceyour talents?I come from a non-Christian background and myexperience of Jesus was life changing. I was not sure asto where my talents would fit into this experience until Ifound Jesus Youth. Here with a group of like-mindedfriends I discovered that theatre, plays and dances canall be effective vehicles to express the beauty of God’spresence in our lives. I also discovered the power of thevisual media to attract young people. Thus togetherwith many other talented people, we were able todevelop a unique style that became characteristic of theJesus Youth Audio Visual ministry.

All the films and plays that you have directed havevery strong messages – both social and spiritual. Isit part of a conscious decision?Whether we like it or not, visual media, unlike otherprofessions, influences, inspires and communicates tothe audience. So whenever I have had a choice, thereforeI have always insisted that the message be anexpression of some angle of my faith – often not directly,but indirectly. Personally, I get deeply involved in everyindependent project of mine – from conceptualizing tofilming and editing. The themes have also beencontroversial topics like abortion, evangelization,divorce, and the like. And for me, the highest reward iswhen viewers call me up to say that a film ordocumentary has in some way changed their negativeattitude to life.

That’s not an easy stand to take. How has thataffected your career?Well, if I look at it financially, it’s been very hard. Ofcourse it helps that my family understands my vision andsupports me. And God has been faithful in more waysthan I ever imagined. Recognitions from the StateGovernment and even International awards have come in– most often when I needed an affirmation about mydecisions. Anyway, over the years, people in the industryhave also come to respect my attitudes and haveunderstood that there are certain things I will do andsome that I will not.

How does your faith make a difference as anassociate director in the secular film industry?The secular film industry in India is built on hierarchies,and those in the lower rungs are treated with contempt.Here I often try to treat everyone on the set with respectand spend time with the ones who are mostly ignored.I’ve noticed that even actors and directors sometimesfeel open enough to share their problems and seekprayer. Today there are many people of faith entering thisfield that was neglected so far. Lets pray that their faithand values permeate their projects and creations.

FR. JOSHY MAYYATTILFrom the Diocese of Cochin, currently pursuing a doctorate in

Biblical Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome.Former Pastor, JY Campus Ministry, India.

LEO THADDEUSA senior JY leader, Leo completed his visualmedia studies from the Gregorian University

of Rome and from ICPE Poland. His recentproject for JY, a short film, ‘ Tree of Life’,

recently won the Niepokalanow 2006Grand Prix Award. He lives with his wife

Shaly and son Jasrel in Kochi, India.

PENTECOST VIGIL 2006A JY-READING OF THE PAPAL HOMILY

“The wind blows where it wills… No one knowswhence it comes and whither it goes!” Theorganizers of the Pentecost Vigil of 2006 inSt. Peter’s Square probably did not foreseesuch a great multitude of people being drawnby the enigmatic blow of the Spirit. Two daysprior to the event the Italian newspapers hadreported that the Vigil would bring togetherabout 30,000 people. But on the following daythe same journals reported of about 400,000 participants! It was a mega event fullyfalling in line with a similar meeting that took place in the same Square with belovedPope John Paul II in 1998. About 45 Jesus Youth, representing Europe, were amongthe joyous crowd that thronged the square experiencing a fresh outpouring of theSpirit.

The Holy Spirit we have received is a Spirit of Life, Freedom, Unity and Mission –this is the essence of the Holy Father’s message to the members of the EcclesialMovements and New Communities. “Where the true source of life no longer flows,where people only appropriate life instead of giving it, wherever people are ready todispose of unborn life because it seems to take up room in their own lives, it is therethat the life of others is most at risk.” A life indulged in corporal and material wellbeing alone renders life “empty” and “useless” as in the case of the prodigal son.This Petrine message reminds us of our basic commitment to transmit the real beautyand worth of life to the young people around us. Perhaps a Jesus Youth should putthis question to himself/herself: Is mine an empowering presence?

The Pontiff closely links the terms ‘life’ and ‘freedom’ and goes on to say, “Theecclesial movements want to and must be schools of freedom.” The Holy Spirit “teachesus to look at the world, others and ourselves with God’s eyes”. He is the liberatingSpirit and only through Him can Jesus Youth go beyond racial, ritual, cultural,linguistic and national barricades. Our commitments need to be evaluated in the lightof the words of the Holy Father. Let us not forget that Vatican was the hill on whichPeter was crucified head upside down. In the face of this formidable memory everyJesus Youth must sincerely reflect on his/her sense of complacency regarding personalfaith and ecclesial commitment. Let one thought haunt us: I am still not a martyr!

“The Spirit blows where he wills. But his will is unity”, we are reminded by the Pope whois known as the theologian of Communion. True exercise and experience of freedom fostersunity. The Holy Spirit never scatters, rather, unites as was witnessed on the day ofPentecost. His “breath is not wasted but brings us together because the truth unitesand love unites”. Perhaps we need to seriously examine our efforts in the field ofEcumenism. Even after many years of presence and experience of Jesus Youth in placeslike Taizé, we still seem to be wary of ecumenical moves in the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI lays great emphasis on mission: “Anyone who has come acrosssomething true, beautiful and good in his life-the one true treasure, the precious pearl-hastens to share it everywhere, in the family and at work, in all the contexts of his life”. Hesays too that the presence of the Holy Spirit “is finally shown above all in missionary zeal”.This reads to me as an appreciation of the missionary zeal of all Christians, especially of theJesus Youth. Missionary spirit has proved to be the mark of our identity all through the pastyears. Let all of us in the Jesus Youth respond wholeheartedly to the call of our Holy Father:“Dear friends, I ask you to collaborate even more, very much more,in the Pope’s universal apostolic ministry, opening doors to Christ.”

JULY 2006 PAGE 9

‘Da Colonia A Sydney ’ was nothing less than a perfect occasion to convene, observe, share andbond with numerous eminent individuals representing diverse countries and varied walks of life.Hundreds of youth delegates from around the world gathered in Rome, Italy for the InternationalGathering of World Youth Day Organisers - from the 7th to the 9th of April 2006, organised by thePontifical Council for the Laity. Manoj Sunny and I represented Jesus Youth.

The three-day programme began with an evaluation of WYD 2005 in Germany, which received anoutstanding response and was hailed as a great success on many fronts. Germany had succeededin delivering the WYD mission to reach out to the next generation of Catholics, demonstrateconfidence in them, rejuvenate the Church, and carry forth its teachings.

Presentation of the WYD Sydney logo and other logistics by the Australian WYD Organising Team headedby Most. Rev. Anthony Fisher (Auxilliary Bishop of Sydney) along with Msgr. Francis Kohn (Secretary,Youth Section, Pontifical Council of Laity)

FROM COLOGNE TO SYDNEY

The Sydney management team presented thelogo for WYD 2008 to start the countdown tohosting the world’s largest youth event in2008.

With a youth styled tag line - WYD SYD 08- the inspiring, energetic and highlyspiritual image unveiled for the Sydneyevent encapsulates five separate storieswithin the one logo, representing Christ ourSaviour, the Catholic faith, the Pilgrimagethat is World Youth Day, the youthparticipants (Pilgrims) and the host citySydney.

PROMINENT IMAGES:The Flame in red and yellowrepresents the fire in the heart ofGod and the gifts of the HolySpirit.

The white Cross represents JesusChrist the light of the world, andthe life of witness, which the HolySpirit enables.

The shadow of the Opera House, aninternationally renowned symbol ofSydney, the host city for WorldYouth Day 2008.

The blue colour of the text reflectsthe oceans that surroundAustralia, the pilgrimage acrossthe oceans, the waters of Baptismand the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The unveiling of the WYD08 logoalso heralds the launch of the newwebsite for World Youth Day 2008-www.wyd2008.org

“YOU WILLRECEIVE POWERWHEN THE HOLYSPIRIT HAS COMEUPON YOU; ANDYOU WILL BE MYWITNESSES”.(ACTS 1:8)

SYDNEYAUSTRALIA15 - 20 JULY2008

More than 500,000 young people, including 135,000 international pilgrims, are expected toattend the forthcoming World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia from 15 to 20 July 2008 that willfocus on the theme, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you willbe my witnesses”. (Acts 1:8)

The Archbishop of Sydney, His Eminence George Cardinal Pell, led an Australian delegation ofWorld Youth Day organisers to Rome. It included Federal MP Malcolm Turnbull representing thePrime Minister of Australia and the New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma. 70 young peoplerepresenting all the Australian Dioceses received the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady atthe close of the Papal Mass on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

BIJU THOMAS, Former Co-ordinator, JY UK

Papal Mass on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square

MissionEurope

It was a joyful occasion for us the Jesus Youth leaders of Europe as wegathered in Rome for prayer, fellowship, and pilgrimage from 30th May to5th June. We stayed in the beautiful campus of Roma Camping, which isreasonably close to the centre of the city.

The JY from Ireland were the first to reach the camping village. Though theministry there is still in its infancy, eleven leaders represented Ireland.Then arrived the delegates from Germany. As the university exams weregoing on, many of the active JY from there could not make it to Rome thistime. The UK delegation was the last to arrive. There were nineteen ofthem, and baby Daniel aged 9 months was the youngest pilgrim from UK!

JY E U R O P E A N G A T H E R I N GREPORT

The programme was divided into three parts - a3-day pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, the PentecostVigil in St Peter’s Square with the Holy Father, and theJesus Youth Leaders’ gathering at Pontificio CollegioUrbano. The days spent in Rome, visiting great sitesand praying in places where the champions of our faithgave up everything including their lives for the sake ofthe ‘treasure they found’, were enriching, andspiritually challenging. One of the most memorableevents for me was when we gathered in St. Peter’sBasilica and went in procession to celebrate Holy Massin a chapel very close to Pope John Paul II’s tomb.

The pilgrimage to Assisi was a great experience.Though nearly eight hundred years have passed sincethe birth of “the second Christ”, the spirit of Francisand Clare is still powerfully felt in the narrow alleysand serene valleys of Assisi. The pilgrimage to Assisisaw all of us taking time for confession, prayer andreflection. The presence and guidance of Msgr. AntonyKollamparambil was an added blessing during thesedays.

Around noon on Saturday, 3rd June, with greatenthusiasm and expectation, we joined the hundreds ofthousands of Catholics from across the world for thePentecost Vigil with the Holy Father in St. Peter’sSquare. The place was so filled with crowds of young

J E S U S Y O U T H L E A D E R S ’ G AT H E R I N G

Delegates of the European Gathering at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano

JULY 2006 PAGE 11

and cheering Catholics singing and praying that for manyof us, it was a sort of ‘unexpected World Youth Day ’!

On the last day, we had the Jesus Youth Leaders’gathering. We were blessed that our programme wasorganised at Pontificio Collegio Urbano, that shares itsboundary with St. Peter’s Square! Though many JesusYouth from Rome made themselves available throughout the pilgrimage days, it was on the last day thatevery one was present. It was a beautiful time offellowship, prayer and of course, fun and many photosessions!

The long day ended with a planning session at CampingRoma, where the ministry representatives from fourcountries – UK, Ireland, Germany, and Italy - discussed

Rejoicing in the Lord with action songs in the typical JY style.

JY E U R O P E A N G AT H E R I N G

“The pilgrimage to Rome helped me understand that thefaith that we have today is the result of the toil andmartyrdom of many early Christians. I have come to realizehow much we need, in our own humble way, to contribute intaking the faith forward. From a Jesus Youth perspective,the European gathering was a tremendous experience ofthe JY fellowship.”RAJESH JOSEPH, Co-ordinator, JY Ireland

“Our visit to the holy places, specially the place whereSt. Paul was beheaded, and the climb up the Holy Steps onour knees, was a touching experience. We were enriched bythe many facts we learnt about our faith, which has led to adeeper awakening of our call in life. We feel privileged tobe part of God’s wonderful plan.”ANIL ISRAEL, Co-ordinator, JY Germany

JOSE MATHEW, UKCo-ordinator, JY Europe

“I felt it was my responsibility to work for the renewal ofEurope through a deeper commitment and personalholiness. We need to make a more creative and unitedeffort as we strive to revive the Church.”GRINSON GEORGE, Co-ordinator, JY Rome

“ I could feel the blood of the martyrs speaking to me,challenging me to greater commitments and leading me tostronger decisions. Since then my only prayer and desire is tobe led by the Spirit, not according to my plans but accordingto His will in my life.”PRADEEP MATHEW, Co-ordinator, JY UK

the future of the ministry in Europe. We all felt thepressing need to have more combined programmes forthe ministry in Europe, to reach out to those countrieson the continent where Jesus Youth is either notorganised or has not reached out yet. In order tostrengthen the communication between the Jesusyouth leaders from various countries, it has beendecided to form a mailing group. There was also asuggestion that we have a Jesus Youth Europeconference next year. We left with the hope ofmeeting again in UK for the forthcoming Leaders’Training Programme in July.

At St. Peter’s Bascilica after celebrating Holy Mass with Fr. VargheseKelamparambil CMI, Fr. Sony Palathara CMI and Fr. Sebastian Arikat.

>>>>

>>>>

“It was the fulfillment of a long cherisheddream. The Rome pilgrimage enabled us totouch the very heart of Christianity. At the nightvigil with Pope Benedict XVI and 400,000pilgrims from all parts of the globe we felt aclose bond with Catholics of other nations. TheJesus Youth gathering was a wake up call filling

everyone with enthusiasm and implanting in all a dream forEurope. We left convinced that we belong to one family.”FR. SEBASTIAN ARIKAT, UKAnimator, Jesus Youth International Team

“I was very happy to be part of the Jesus YouthEurope gathering held in Rome. It was a goldenopportunity to be with a group of youngsterswho have a passion for the person of Jesus andwant to be “different” for the Lord in the highlysecularized society of today. It was encouragingto see that they long to communicate the love of

the Lord to as many as possible, even when they are all busywith their own commitments. I am sure that the Lord haswonderful plans for the Jesus Youth in Europe. I hope we will beable to open our hearts to the inspiration of the Spiritand respond to the call the Lord is placing before us. Let usremember the tremendous graces we have received from theLord and always keep in mind that the more graces we receive,the greater our responsibility before the Lord.”FR. GEORGE KUMBLUMOOTIL OP, ROMERenowned speaker and JY Animator, currently pursuing a doctorate inTheology at the Pontifical Institute, Angelicum, Rome.

The National Nurses’ Conference, thefirst of its kind, saw 1200 nursesfrom across India come together for alife-changing encounter with Jesusat Christ College, Bangalore from 12th

to 14th May 2006. The objective ofthe conference was to enlighten theparticipants about the potential oftheir profession as a vocation toextend God’s healing ministry. Thepresence and blessings ofArchbishops Ignatius Pinto andAlphonsus Matthias (both EmeritusArchbishops of Bangalore) addedsignificance to the programme. Theprogramme based on the theme ‘Tobe His Healing Hands’ was akaleidoscope of activities with

TO BEHIS

HEALINGHANDS

“Every nursing school is aformation centre - a ‘seminary’for nurses’. With the correctformation and training,nurses cannot but go across theworld and give Jesus to thosewho need Him.Since you find nurses inevery corner of the world,it is important to give themfaith formation and a vision forevangelisation.”ADV. RAIJU VARGHESECo-ordinator, JY India

“We give you our facilitiesand you pray for us.I have noted theenthusiasm with whichyou pray. This hall is filledwith the fragrance ofyour prayers and theeducation we impart isblessed by your prayers.”FR.THOMASCHATHANPARAMBILPrincipal, Christ College,Bangalore

“220 nurses from Tumkurattended the Nurses’ Meetand now we have fiveprayer groups in our place.Through the programme,we all got a deeperconviction about our callto this profession. Werealized that we are theHealing Hands of JesusChrist in this world!Praise the Lord!”ARUNA, Tumkur,Karnataka

“For the first time in my lifeI saw prayerful youth takinginitiatives for the Lord. It was anew awareness for me becauseusually I see religious peopleorganizing programmes likethis. The world can changethrough people like this who arevery committed and prayerful.The way they prayed touchedme. I am very much interestedin their working style.”SR. SANCTA, Hyderabad

panels, skits, testimonies, music,and powerful input sessions byeminent speakers like Fr. FioMascarenhas, Colin Calmiano,Mario Joseph, Dr. Br. MathewAbraham, Dr. Edward Edezhath,Alex Njavally, M.A. Joshy andC.C. Joseph. Throughout theprogramme, issues like abortion,the increasing apathy of healthprofessionals for the suffering, andthe need to encourage the cultureof life, were strongly emphasised.The young participants left deeplyconvinced about their role andmission, and with a joyful zeal touse nursing as a channel forevangelisation in India.

JESUS YOUTH NATIONAL NURSES’ CONFERENCE12TH - 14TH MAY 2006, CHRIST COLLEGE, BANGALORE

GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

USA��JY RetreatFifty-one young participants fromGainesville, Tampa, Miami and FortLauderdale gathered for a retreat at theMorning Star Renewal Centre, Miami from14th – 18th June 2006. It was conducted bythe Florida Regional Service Team supportedby the National Team, based on the theme“Therefore go and make disciples of allnations – Mt. 28:19”. There was 24 hoursadoration before the Blessed Sacramentthroughout the retreat. Fr. John, Vicar of theSyro Malabar Church, Florida extended hisfull support for the retreat. Prayer groupshave been initiated in all four places.��JY ConnectJY Connect - an initiative to build strongfellowship between the youth and the elders,was launched on 29th April 2006 at the St.Thomas Syro Malabar Church, Bronx. Duringthis informal gathering, small groups ofyouth of the same gender and age wereformed and then linked with one elder fromthe region. ��Night Vigil On the first Friday of every month three JYgroups comprising of adults, youth andteens, come together to spend twelve hoursin prayer, intercession, and reflection in thepresence of the Blessed Sacrament. Thisnight vigil begins and concludes with thecelebration of the Holy Mass.

��Youth FestThe Mid-Atlantic region hosted thissummer’s Youth Fest in Baltimore, Marylandon 17th June 2006. The main speaker for theprogramme was Pete Ascosi, who spoke onthe day’s theme -‘The Holy Body and Bloodof Christ‘. During the afternoon session,small group discussions were held, basedon a passage from ‘Deus Caritas Est’.- Jyothini Malaickal

IRELAND��Ephatha 2006The first JY programme in Ireland ‘Ephatha2006’ was conducted on 25th March 2006with 125 participants at St. Joseph’s Schoolfor the Visually Impaired, Drumcondra,Dublin, based on the theme ‘Listening toGod’s voice and answering His call’.Mr. Gerard Gallagher (Co-ordinator, CatholicYouth Care - Archdiocese of Dublin),Fr. James George, Jose Mathew (Co-ordinator, JY Europe) and Fr. Sony PalathraCMI were the main resource persons.- Rajesh Joseph

UK��South Zone GatheringAfter the formation of zones in JY UK, thefirst ever zonal programme was held on 13th

May 2006 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church,Dagenham for UK South Zone based on thetheme ‘Living in Him’.

JULY 2006 PAGE 13

��Day of Re-renewalThe Jesus Youth in London celebrated 17th

June 2006 as a ‘Day of Re-renewal’. With anattendance of 60 participants, the programmewitnessed the coming together of JY prayergroups from different parts of London forMass, Praise & Worship, input sessions,planning, reflection and a time of powerfulintercession.��Discipleship Formation ProgrammeThe second gathering of the DiscipleshipFormation Programme took place inBirmingham on 6th - 7th May 2006. Thesessions focused on growing in relationshipwith Jesus, tackling problem areas inChristian growth, Biblical basis of Catholicfaith etc. ��JY Teens GatheringJY Liverpool had its first teens gathering on23rd June 2006 at the Holy Name Church. Theprogramme included interactive sessions,group discussions, and a time of prayer andreflection.��JY Family GatheringAround 30 JY couples gathered at Holy NameChurch, Liverpool on 25th June 2006 toparticipate in the Family Gathering organisedby JY Liverpool. There was a session onChrist-centred family life by Dr. Julio and hiswife Dr. Anju.- Pradeep Mathew

JY Retreat, Florida, USA ‘Youth Fest’, Baltimore, USA

JY Family Gathering, UK‘Ephatha 2006’, Ireland

CANADA��Input sessions & Night vigilJY Canada organised several input sessionsby Fr. Alex Tharamangalam and Ms. Philowhen they visited Canada in April 2006. Anight vigil was also organised on 28th April2006 during their visit. Philo inspired manyby her testimony while Fr. Alex conducteddiscussions on the life of Christ in thecontext of present day Christian challenges. ��Guests from Divine Retreat CentreThe regular Friday prayer meeting on 26th

May 2006 was blessed with the presence ofFr. Augustine Vallooran, Glen La’rive andTresa La’rive from the Divine Retreat Centre,Kerala. The uplifting session of prayer andmusic included a testimony by Glen and aninspiring message by Fr. Augustine. �� National Team Re-constitutionThe National Team of JY Canada was re-constituted on 13th May 2006. The new teamwith Leny Veliyathuparambil as Co-ordinator,Sindhu Michael as Asst. Co-ordinator and Fr.Jose Thaiparampil as Pastor include BijuDavies, Bosco Jerome, Joy Kittan, TonyChiryinkalam, Manju Francis, Bobby Jose,Roy David, Johnson Irimban, Binu(representing Hamilton) and Mathew(representing Ottawa). JY Canada expressesits heart-felt gratitude to Bosco (former Co-ordinator) for his inspiring leadership during

visited the Jammu prison. A culmination ofthis mission was the ‘Teens Meet’ held at St.Peter’s School on 30th April with over 210teenage participants.- Soji K. Joseph

UAE��Penuel – JY GatheringA one-day gathering ‘Penuel’ held on 21st

April 2006 with 120 young participantsmarked the beginning of Jesus Youth in theEmirate of Ras-Al-Khaimah. The gatheringwas blessed to have Fr. Joy - SpiritualDirector, JY Dubai for the EucharisticCelebration. A weekly prayer group has alsobeen initiated in the Emirate.��Devotion to Mother Mary &the Sacred Heart of JesusThe months of May and June saw the JY ofAbudhabi gathering in almost 60 homes, andthe JY of Fujairah in around 15 houses, forpraying the Church’s traditional devotions toMother Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.Many miracles and healings wereexperienced during the days.��New MinistriesA Liturgical Ministry was formed in Abudhabito support the parish in the EucharisticCelebrations. JY Dubai has a new Pro-Lifeministry. JY Fujairah’s involvement in parishactivities has led them to initiate a musicministry during the Holy Week and lead theadoration in English for the parish.

the past 2 years and solicits prayers for thenew team.- Leny Veliyathuparambil

INDIAINDIAINDIAINDIAINDIA��Full time Volunteers’ TrainingThe 15th batch of the JY Full time Volunteerscomprising of 21 participants from differentparts of India, completed their 40-daytraining period and were commissioned on25th June 2006. ��Teens 2006‘Teens 2006’- an initiative of the JY TeensMinistry, was conducted at Nagpur from 8th

to 9th June 2006 based on the theme ‘A NewWay, A New Generation’, There were 520participants (including 80 volunteers) fromdifferent parts of India like Bhopal, Nagpur,Amravati, Chandrapur, etc.��Koinonia‘Koinonia’, the joyful celebration of SouthIndian Campus Leaders was held inAshirbhavan, Cochin from the 30th June to2nd July. 200 Campus Leaders from morethan 25 zones across 4 South Indian statesand Pondicherry participated.��Chalo Kashmir‘Chalo Kashmir’ - a unique project initiatedby the JY Teens Ministry, saw 17 teenagersfrom Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Naduoutreach to Jammu & Kashmir in April 2006.After a 3-day training in Bangalore, theywere divided and sent to 5 different parishesin Jammu to conduct programmes. They also

GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

‘Chalo Kashmir’, India ‘Koinonia’, Kerala, India ‘Penuel’ - JY Gathering, UAE

JY Full time Volunteers’ Training, Kerala, India ‘Seeloha’, UAE

GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

KUWAITKUWAITKUWAITKUWAITKUWAIT��Weekly GatheringJesus Youth in Kuwait began its weeklygathering at Holy Family Cathedral on 1st April2006. Fr. Joseph Edappullavan OCDinaugurated the gathering and Fr. MathewKunnelpurayidam OCD delivered a talk on thevision and mission of the JY movement. Thegathering continues to be held regularly eachSaturday with prayer, group discussions,workshops, Bible study, music, etc.��Prayer on the day of PentecostAdoration of the Blessed Sacrament andanointing prayer was held on 3rd June 2006to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Theprayer service was led by Fr. ThomasVadakedam.��Jesus Youth GatheringA J Y Gathering was initiated at Our Lady ofArabia Church, Ahmadi on 19th June 2006.Fr. Antony Pulluvila OCD inaugurated thegathering. This gathering will be held on thethird Monday of every month.- Biju Antony

MALAYSIA��One-day programme‘Shine Jesus Shine’ , a groundbreakingprogramme in Malaysia organised with thesupport of JY Singapore, was held for 150participants at St. Joseph’s Church, KualaLumpur on 2nd April 2006 under the guidanceof Fr. Abraham Pallivathukkal - one of the

��Post Marital CourseJesus Youth together with the MalayalamCommunity in Abudhabi, conducted the firstever Post Marital Course in Malayalam forthe parish on 23rd June 2006. The coursedrew around 500 couples, some of whomhave been married for the last 15 years, torenew their relationships with the Lord.��Seeloha - JY SeminarA one-day seminar ‘Seeloha’ was conductedin St. Michael’s Church, Sharjah on 23rd June2006 for about 700 youth. Fr. Angelo (Vicar,St. Michael’s Church) inaugurated theprogramme while Fr. Joy Menachery and Dr.Joseph Lukose gave the main input sessions.� AdieuA farewell function was arranged forMr. Joseph Lonth, the Animator of the JesusYouth National Team for the last two years,who is returning to Kerala after a longinvolvement with Jesus Youth from itsbeginning in Dubai. He is actively involved inJoynet - the JY e-mail fellowship.��ThoolikaThe Newsletter of Dubai - ‘Thoolika’ hasseen an increase in content and pages overthe months, evolving into a highlyanticipated weekly inspiration. The 100th

issue was released on Easter Sunday.- Prejomy Jose

JULY 2006 PAGE 15

founder members of Jesus Youth and ananimator of the JY International Team. Fr.Abraham and Mr. Pius conducted the inputsessions.- Biju Joseph

NEW ZEALAND��Youth AliveA retreat for youth and teens was held on13th-14th May 2006 at Our Lady of SacredHeart Church (OLSH), Epsom, Auckland ledby Manoj Sunny along with Mayrose Pius andKaren Hopkins on the theme “I came thatthey may have life, and have it abundantly”.Fr James Mulligan, Asst. Parish Priest ofOLSH and Spiritual Director of JY NewZealand was a constant support during theretreat. - Liza Johnson

AUSTRALIA��Leadership Training ProgrammeA Leadership Training Programme was heldon 6th May 2006 at the All Saints Church,Sydney. Following the programme the JYSydney team met with Manoj Sunny to form aservice team for Sydney. StephenRatnakaran was chosen as the Co-ordinatorwith Noby Joseph and Jaison Thomas as theAsst. Co-ordinators.��National MeetingRepresentatives from five states of Australia- South Australia, Victoria, New SouthWales, Queensland and the Australian

The new JY National team, Australia ‘Youth Alive’, New Zealand‘Shine Jesus Shine’, Malaysia

JY Gathering, Kuwait National Leaders’ Gathering, AustraliaPost Marital Course, UAE

Printed and Published by Mr. Manoj Sunny on behalf of Jesus Youth International Office, 6F Thadikaran Centre, Palarivattom P.O., Cochin-682 025, Kerala, INDIA, Ph: +91 484- 3295859 / 4054870, Fax: +91-484-2346084, Email : jyglobal@jesusyouth.orgWebsite : www.jesusyouth.org �Editor-in-charge: Shelton Pinheiro �Editorial Team: Beena Manoj, Anu Pinheiro & Deepa Sabu �Layout: Sanil C.A.�Printed by SR Graphics, Kottayam, Ph :+91 481-2301142

Capital Territory (ACT) - came together inSydney for the first National Meeting on 5th

May 2006. Manoj Sunny animated themeeting while Fr. Mathew Thekkedath,Chaplain to the Syro-Malabar community andJY Sydney, concelebrated Mass along withFr. John Aravankara, Pastor, JY Australia.A national team was formed with RajeshThalappillil as Co-ordinator, Mayrose Pius asAsst. Co-ordinator, Fr. John Aravankara asPastor, and Dr. Preshy and Gene Thallappillilas Animators. Other members includeSuzette Morris, Milan Chacko, Cicily Ponnor,Stephen Ratnakaran, Ajith Lobo, Maria Paul,Cinnil Thomas, Tito Jose and Bony Abraham.Following this there was a meeting withelders and families of the Kerala CatholicCommunity (Sydney) to discuss WYD 2008and present the role of Jesus Youth in WYD2008.��Couples’ MeetA Couples’ Meet based on the theme of‘Becoming a true Christian in our familylives’ was held at Liverpool on 3rd May 2006.��Leadership WorkshopA one-day workshop on leadership was heldon 7th May 2006 at McKillop Conference Hall,St. Francis Church, Melbourne, with 20participants who had earlier attended the‘Yes Lord’ retreat in December.��Children & Teens’ WorkshopA three-day workshop ‘Jesus for Me’ for 25children and 20 teens was carried out alongwith the church community retreat at BoxHill, Melbourne from 10th to 12th June 2006.-Mayrose Pius

SINGAPORE�� National Team Re-constitutionThe new Jesus Youth National Team was re-constituted during a 3-day programme heldfrom 18th to 20th May 2006 at Choice RetreatCentre, Boon Lay. 50 key leadersrepresenting the different JY ministriesattended the programme. Two delegatesfrom JY Thailand were also present. The keyspeakers for the programme included

Fr. William Goh (SACCRE Spiritual Director),Oka (Asst. Co-odinator - SACCRE Youth),Edwin D‘Souza (Singapore Diocesan YouthIn-charge), Mathew Jacob and Manoj Sunny.The new National Team members are BijuJoseph (Co-ordinator), Lejen James (Asst.Co-ordinator), Roy Peter (Ex-offcio),Thomson (Animator), Andrew (Animator), JoyThomas, Rosmy, Joshy, Jays John, MichaelKoshy, Ajith Jacob, Davis, Dexon J Netto,Seema, Minto and Jeril Joseph.��Growth Retreat for LeadersA Growth Retreat for 60 leaders was heldfrom 7th to 9th April 2006 at the ChoiceRetreat Centre, Boon Lay led byRev. Fr. Abraham Pallivathukal SJ.��Jesus NetJesus Net - JY Singapore’s central prayergathering which was started in April 2006 isconducted on the first Saturday of eachmonth in the Novena Church. It includes aninput session based on the JY Bible calendarand concludes with the general Novena heldin the Church.- Biju Joseph

THAILAND��Training ProgrammeThe Jesus Youth in Bangkok organized andconducted a training programme for potentialleaders and the music ministry on 9th and 10th

July 2006. Students of different nationalitiesstudying in Assumption Universityparticipated in the trainings. Manoj Sunnywas the main resource person for both thedays. The participants left with a deepconviction of the love and mercy of the Lord.-George Devassy

ITALY��Youth RetreatJesus Youth in Rome organised a half-dayretreat for 65 participants on 18th June 2006.The retreat was led by Fr. GeorgeKumblumootil and Fr. Joshy Mayattil. Therewas also a farewell ceremony for Fr. Mathewand Fr. Macqwin.- Siju Chacko

GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

Jesus Youth congratulates CardinalIvan Dias, Archbishop of Bombay, onhis appointment by Pope Benedict XVIas the Prefect of the Congregation forEvangelization of Peoples. His Eminencehas always been an inspiration to JesusYouth. We gratefully acknowledge hisencouragement and support, and speciallycherish the catecheses he led for us at theWYD 2005, held in Cologne, on the theme‘Searching for truth, the deepest meaningof human existence’. We pledge ourprayers as His Eminence takes charge ofhis new office at the Vatican.

Bouquetsof blessings!

O Mary our Mother,teach us to wait upon the Spiritand to go wherever he leads us.Help us on our journey to discernthe signs of God’s powerful hand.Lead us in joyful proclamation of faithin Christ our Saviour. Pray for us,your children, now and always!

JY Retreat, ItalyThe new JY National Team, Singapore JY leaders at Bangna Campus, Thailand