Just Turn Up As with almost all our events this year, the CCR Brisbane Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held via Zoom on 22 August. We thought that perhaps this year the attendance would be even better than in previous years. After all, members would not have to get into their cars and drive all the way to Northgate and even better, they would not even have to get out of their pyjamas or casual home clothes to attend the AGM. All they had to do was click a link on their computer / i-pads / mobiles and they were at the AGM. It could not get any easier than that!! The reality was that we barely made the required quorum with a number of apologies minuted.

Was it discouraging? Most definitely.

How many of us have planned, organised and run courses, Life in the Spirit Seminars, retreats, prayer meetings, rallies, workshops, training sessions where just a handful of people have turned up when we had hoped for many, many more? More often than not, this sadly seems to be the norm.

So then we start soul searching… was there insufficient advertising… did we not pray enough beforehand… did we not discern correctly what the Lord’s will was… was it not attractive / exciting / relevant enough… did we pick the wrong date / day / time… etc… etc… etc…

It is especially discouraging for prayer group leaders when sometimes they may be the only people present at the prayer meeting along with the ever decreasing band of faithfuls. But I am reminded of a talk that Fr Francis Onwunali (former CCR Brisbane Chaplain) presented to us a few years ago. He said that “even if I am the only person who turns up to the prayer meeting, then perhaps that meeting was meant for me and me alone. What I am required to do is to be faithful to my task at hand and just turn up every week and the Lord will see my faithfulness and He will reward it.”

You are not alone in discouragement but you are also not alone in the desire to persevere and to remain faithful. The CCR Brisbane Service Team will continue to be faithful to our responsibility of fostering the growth of Catholic Charismatic Prayer Groups and Ministries in the Archdiocese of Brisbane; providing the service of leadership, encouragement and direction when required. Together with all our members, we will “be a vibrant Holy Spirit-guided ministry serving the Church through evangelisation and healing prayer” by providing opportunities for all within the Archdiocese and beyond to “foster a personal conversion and relationship with Jesus Christ through the release of the Holy Spirit.”

We are here for you, just reach out if and when you need to and we will continue to turn up along with you.

Newsletter of Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Brisbane

“ Face to Face”

Vol. 207

Audrey Chan-Seow

President of CCR Brisbane

SEPT. 2020

The 2019 - 2020 Annual Reports can be found on the CCR

Brisbane website: .https://www.ccrbrisbane.org.au/

So my dear prayer group leaders and members who may be feeling discouraged, I echo the words of Fr Francis, “…just turn up…”

St Paul & the Spirit

This time I would like to share with you some thoughts from Pope Benedict regarding the Holy Spirit. Actually, what follows will be direct quotes from his book – ‘THE APOSTLES’ – Chapter 16 on St Paul with the subheading ‘St Paul and the Spirit’.

In his letters St Paul also spoke to us of the Spirit from another angle. He did not end by describing solely the dynamic and active dimension of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, but also analysed his presence in the lives of Christians, which marks their identity. In other words, in Paul’s reflection on the Spirit he not only explained his influence on the action of Christians, but also on their being. Indeed, it is he who said that the Spirit of God dwells in us and that ‘God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.’

In Paul’s opinion, the Spirit stirs to the very depth of our being…. ‘For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death….you did not receive the spirit of slavery…but the spirit of sonship…as children we can call God ‘Father’…

It is as if to say that the Holy Spirit, that is, the Spirit of the Father and of the Son, is henceforth as it were the soul of our soul, the most secret part of our being, from which an impulse of prayer rises ceaselessly to God, whose words we cannot even begin to explain.

In fact, the Spirit, ever alert within us, completes what is lacking in us and offers to the Father our worship as well as our deepest aspirations.

This, of course, requires a degree of great and vital communication with the Spirit. It is an invitation to be increasingly sensitive, more attentive to this presence of the Spirit in us, to transform it into prayer, to feel this presence and thus to learn to pray, to speak to the Father as children in the Holy Spirit.

… St. Augustine; ‘If you see charity, you see the Trinity’ … and I continued by explaining; “The Spirit, in fact, is that interior power which harmonises (believers’) hearts with Christ’s heart and moves them to love their brethren as Christ loved them”. … Furthermore, however, it is also true that the Spirit stimulates us to weave charitable relations with all people. Therefore, when we love we make room for the Spirit and give him leeway to express Himself fully within us.

… Finally, according to St Paul the Spirit is a generous down payment given to us by God Himself as a deposit and at the same time, a guarantee of our future inheritance.

Words of encouragement from me: If possible buy or borrow the book and read all about it.!!!

Sr. Carmel pvbm.

2

2

On each of the six Fridays we’ll present one of the 6 DVD’s including testimonies from laity & clergy. Teachings are relaxed, personal, informative and rooted in the Bible, the Catechism, Evangelii Gaudium and reflections on the Holy Spirit from His Holiness Pope Francis. There will then be opportunities for group discussion after each talk held in individual Zoom “Breakout rooms.”

The Father’s Loving Plan The Joy of the Gospel The Gift of the Spirit Unwrapping God’s Gift Encountering the Holy Spirit Living in the Spirit

How will it work? After you have registered, we will send you the necessary link to join the Zoom meeting each week, either by email or a text to your phone. How to register & make any further enquiries? Call Kris on mobile 0414 481 506 OR email gemnkris@gmail.com What to bring for each session?

A notebook and pen A Bible An openness to learn new things!

You’ll love it! One big family on the screen together! We can have 100 participants at Zoom sessions. DON’T DELAY – REGISTER NOW!

What have people said about “The Gift”?...

”We had 85 people to our opening night! No Parish program has ever been so well attended… the atmosphere was amazingly positive and Spirit filled.”

”The course made me realize the importance of praying to the Holy spirit, which I seldom used to do. Since then I have experienced a desire within me to pray fervently to the Holy spirit… more and more… every day of my life.”

”A great experience for me! The small group sharing & the anointing of the Spirit was a powerful experience. The talks, especially the talk on the Holy Spirit, were really inspiring giving me new insight on the ‘The Church’s best kept secret’.”

”It was fantastic to feel the power of the Holy spirit in our lives and to meet lots of people who were open about their faith.” Many of us have probably attended one, if not more “Life in the Spirit” Seminars (LSS) where we have experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and encountered Jesus in a personal way. Instead of making “The Gift” just another LSS that you will attend, how about making it a real GIFT to someone who has never attended one before. Someone who has not met the Holy Spirit and is yet to have a very real, deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Why not invite that person to attend this online event with you in the comfort of your own home every Friday starting 2 Oct at 7.15pm. There is a limit of 100 attendees on Zoom, but if we all had 2 or more of us connected on one screen, then we could have many more participating!! It could be someone who is already in your home with you… your spouse, parent, daughter, son, house-mates, maybe even a friend… just grab a cup of coffee, grab a loved one and enjoy an evening with Jesus and His family!

3

Archdiocesan Monthly Prayer Meeting

The Word coming through the prophecies both at national and local levels is about change and calling us to renewed ways of being;

deep holiness deep repentance humility unity & a different lens through which to see

what the Lord is doing in the world. The Lord says, “These are times of uncertainty; it is time to be led by the Spirit; to listen and hear His voice for these are times of opportunity to see My Spirit at work. What seems like a annihilation is the means of great victory. I am resetting the spiritual boundaries,” says the Lord. The Lord also says, “Get the invitations out.” (Matt 22/9) Against a backdrop of messages like these, CCR Brisbane sought to create the opportunity to bring its members together across the Archdiocese through a monthly online prayer meeting, the aim of which is to create greater connection and unity in

response to the Word,

provide spiritually enriching events;

expand the mind to think about what is

possible during a time of crisis;

refresh and resurrect dry bones and

allow the opportunity for the Spirit to blow

in from the north, the south, the east and the

west and unify God’s army in this part of the

world. (Ez. 37)

The prayer meeting will generally consist of praise, worship, prayer, teaching/talk by a guest speaker and group discussion in break-out rooms. The first online Archdiocesan Monthly Prayer Meeting was held on 13th August and will now be held on the second Thursday of every month from now into the future. A notice of how to log on will be distributed before each meeting date. JOIN IN FOR SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT!

Len Airey Ministry Co-ordinator

4

To Connect just press Ctrl and click on the link to get to ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82994526309?pwd=UTJKNUlma05Cb1dGZ2kyYW1UZENtdz09 Meeting ID: 829 9452 6309 Passcode: 369420 Enquiries: 0435 558 390 Audrey

MONTHLY ONLINE PRAYER MEETING

SEPT. 10th

OCT. 8th

NOV. 12th

DEC. 10th

T H U R S D A Y

7.30 - 9PM

2020

MARY MILDRED JURIANSZ

In loving memory of Mary Mildred Juriansz, who left this world to meet her maker on 21st August 2020. Mildred will be fondly remembered by many people who crossed her path of faith and holiness. She had a deep and profound faith, having entered into the Carmelite Order for two years when a teenager. God, however, had a different plan, and she had to leave the convent as she was needed at home to raise the family. Mildred’s journey was filled with hardship and challenges, but her faith and trust in her beloved Lord helped her to overcome all difficulties. Mildred had a personal relationship with Jesus through Catholic Charismatic Renewal, firstly at Bardon Prayer Group, then at Coorparoo Prayer Group and finally helping to establish and run Upper Mt Gravatt Prayer Group in its early years of formation. Mildred also served on the Brisbane Service Committee for Catholic Charismatic Renewal, touching many lives with her wisdom and discernment in making right choices regarding mission and ministry. She was deeply gifted in the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Her personal prayer ministry and intercession were a gift to many people and her passion and love for Jesus was a blessed gift to all who knew her. Fr. Jack Soulsby (RIP) openly and publicly named her ‘Saint Mildred,’ as humility, faith and holiness shone in and through her. Mildred has fulfilled her mission here on earth and has gone to share in her eternal reward. Gone but not forgotten, Mildred was deeply honoured by her family at her funeral Mass, where they shared her faith and their love and memories of her. We send our deepest sympathy to Mildred’s family and friends and pray that our loving God will comfort, strengthen and watch over all.

May She Rest in Peace!

Prayer for Catholic Charismatic Renewal

God Our Father, Pour out Your Spirit on us as You did at Pentecost. We pray that You will bless with Wisdom, Strength and Vision all who hold authority in the Church, and especially the Leaders of Charismatic Renewal within our area and throughout the world. May their loving ministry strengthen us in unity, prayer and service. Renew the depths of our hearts, fill them with praise, prayer and power for service for others. Help us in the Charismatic Renewal to become a Prophetic People who are able to love as Mary did, and so, renew the Church for Your glory and honour, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5

(Please pray this prayer together in your prayer groups)

5

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Brisbane

Fostering a personal conversion and relationship with Jesus Christ through the release of the Holy Spirit

MONTHLY PRAYER MEETING ST. STEPHEN’S CHAPEL

(in the grounds of the Cathedral in Brisbane City Centre)

1st Wed. of every Month 10.45am-12.15pm

(after 10am Mass in Cathedral) You will need to ring the Cathedral to book for the Mass

Join us for Praise and Worship in the CBD

Personal Prayer Ministry available

To book Ph. Maureen 0403002199 Ph. Helena 0405321901

Email maureenallison43@gmail.com

EVERYONE WELCOME!

The Spirit of Hope

5

Jesus Our Redeemer Our Lady of Lourdes Annual Retreat

My dear friends, a warm “Hello”, during this trying time of restrictions, due to Covid-19. On Saturday 29th of August, Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group had our annual retreat with Fr Ray Sanchez. Glory be to God, that even with all the obstacles and restrictions that were in place and had to be adhered to, we were still able to hold the retreat face to face!

As always before a retreat, Satan puts up obstacles to try and block the retreat from happening. He always tries to interfere so as to prevent God from being glorified! Three days before the retreat my dear brother-in-law, Augustin Rodriguez passed away in El Salvador. We had been in constant prayer for the past two weeks, praying for his life. This brought a great sadness to my husband and our family. With great faith in Jesus Christ, we know that He is the giver of life, the Beginning and the End. (Revelations 23:13) By faith we believe that Augustin has passed on to eternal life. It was a true test of faith for me as well as for my husband, who is always supportive and worked along with me towards the success of the retreat. It wasn't until Friday 28th of August, only one day before the retreat, that we received confirmation that it would go ahead. The teachings given by Fr Ray Sanchez were full of wisdom and enabled us to understand and to liberate us from the fears, anxieties and doubts caused by this pandemic and time of trials. The teachings were centered on the deliverance of the demoniac by Jesus (Mark 1:21-28) and determining the chains that bind us, what can break the chains and what does freedom mean? Fr Ray also proposed that the time of isolation created by the pandemic was a kind of retreat to rediscover what it means to be the “Church.”

He then challenged us to use the many creative and new ways that have evolved as a result of these unprecedented times to live out the mission of the Gospel. I thank Fr Ray for being available, for his commitment to serving the Lord and blessing us with his words of encouragement and hope based on the scriptures. Just as we spent the day constantly sanitizing our hands, we also had the opportunity to cleanse our minds and souls through the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. I am very grateful to Fr Dan, Fr Enoch & Fr Raju from Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunnybank Parish who supported this retreat by giving of their valuable time to make the retreat a success. A big thank you to Audrey and LP Seow for their continued support as well.

God bless you all,

Marta Rodriguez Co-leader of Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group

Note from Editor: Thank you for sharing this article with us Marta, it immediately made me think of the song by Keith Green – “There Is A Redeemer.” If you don’t know it, just press Ctrl and click on the link below, and if you do know it, then click on the link and sing along once again to this very beautiful song of praise and worship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_YM_hYzcPo

6

Together, let us pray to the Holy Spirit until the end of the Coronavirus epidemic!

The consequences of the continuing Coronavirus

epidemic around the world are already very

serious. Vulnerable people are the most exposed.

The consequences on the functioning of the

economy and the daily life of millions of people are

also likely to have a severe impact on people in

precarious conditions. We invite you to join this

call to a great prayer of intercession offered

by CHARIS, the International service of

Charismatic Renewal. Let us pray the Veni

Sancte Spiritus every day until this epidemic

stops!

Dear friends of the Renewal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

You all know that we are experiencing an

unprecedented crisis in our world today with

the Coronavirus epidemic. The situation is so

serious that in some countries, such as Korea or

Italy, religious gatherings, including Holy Masses,

can no longer take place.

Many of you are certainly already praying for this,

but we would like to widen the circle of prayer to all

the members of the Renewal throughout the

world. Let us all together raise our prayer to

Heaven!

Jesus healed the sick by the power of the Holy

Spirit. We propose that we turn to this same

Holy Spirit to ask for the end of the epidemic,

the healing of the sick and the salvation of the

souls of those who die from it.

For this, we suggest to pray every day until the

end of the epidemic, the Pentecost Sequence

in which the Church prays for the healing of

the sick, followed by three Hail Marys’.

Let us ask with faith that the Holy Spirit may

descend upon our wounded world and

manifest the Father’s tenderness for those who

suffer. Let us ask Mary to spread her maternal

mantle of protection over all men.

Thank you to all those who will join us in this

campaign of intercession. Jean-Luc Moens Moderator of CHARIS

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS

Come, Holy Spirit send forth the heavenly radiance of Your light

Come, Father of the poor, come, giver of gifts, come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter, sweet guest of the soul, sweet consolation.

In labour, rest, in heat, temperance, in tears, solace.

O most blessed light, fill the inmost heart of Your faithful.

Without Your grace, there is nothing in us, nothing that is not harmful.

Cleanse that which is unclean, water that which is dry, heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible, fire that which is chilled, correct what goes astray.

Give to Your faithful, those who trust in You, the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue, grant the deliverance of salvation,

grant eternal joy. Amen. *

https://emmanuel.info/en/together-let-us-pray-to-the-holy-spirit-until-the-end-of-the-coronavirus-epidemic/

7

* THREE HAIL MARYS’

There is no gain saying the fact that the world we live in has turned upside down due to the prevalent cases of the COVID-19 that caused a global pandemic. Everyone has been hit really hard by this unseen enemy, but some harder than others. The situation has left many in shock, confusion and anger as we deal with the lockdown and quarantine. One can even feel the sense of frustration and wonder what the future holds for humanity. Amid this uncertainty and fear, there is still an oasis of hope and faith propelling us as a people to dream and hope for a better future. That hope is seen and felt in our solidarity, belief and faith in God who from time to time in our history had always shown that He is with us, that He cares for us and loves us. God is aware of our struggle and He is not far off, rather He is nearer to us than we could ever imagine. According to prophet Hosea, the Lord leads his people into the desert to speak to their hearts, Hosea 2:14. At the moment, it seems that the entire world has been led into a desert. But our consolation is that God is still the God of the desert and of the valley. However, the pandemic with its effects is calling us in a sense, to listen and reassess our priorities and to see clearly our feebleness and on the other hand how interconnected we are as a people regardless of our differences. If not for any other thing, the experience from the Crisis has shown the need of solidarity, relationship and love, for wherever there is love there is God. At a time like this as the world is gradually though with trepidation reopening, trying to rebuild and heal, we are encouraged to look onto our loving God more than ever. In our hearts the eternal words of God, which were proclaimed thousands of years ago resonates and is still true today, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Again, His promise of a new future and to journey with us reverberates too, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11. As charismatics, we have to be in the forefront in this call for conversion, prayer and love. In their own time of struggle and challenges, St. Paul reminded the church in Rome of the love and care of God when he said: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Rom.8:28.

And to the Philippians he said; “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:6-7. My dear friends, in the darkest time of people’s life, God manifests His love, care and grace as His light shines from the heart of darkness, thereby giving birth to hope and a new future. Let us not let the voice of prayer die down, let us not allow ourselves to be consume by fear and anxiety in the face of uncertainty as God always make way where there seems to be no way. God bless you.

Fr. Ihemelandu Leonard Uzuegbu

Important Dates 2020 OCTOBER 7th

CCR Brisbane Prayer Group Meeting St. Stephen’s Chapel, Brisbane City (in grounds of St. Stephen’s Cathedral)

10.45am-12.15pm (after 10am Mass)

You will need to ring Cathedral to book for Mass Ph. Maureen 0403 002 199

Helena 0405 321 901

OCTOBER 8th CCR Brisbane Monthly ONLINE Prayer Mtg.

ZOOM 7.30-9pm

Ph. Audrey 0435 558 390

NOVEMBER 4th CCR Brisbane Prayer Group Meeting St. Stephen’s Chapel, Brisbane City (in grounds of St. Stephen’s Cathedral)

10.45am-12.15pm (after 10am Mass)

You will need to ring Cathedral to book for Mass Ph. Maureen 0403 002 199

Helena 0405 321 901

NOVEMBER 12th CCR Brisbane Monthly ONLINE Prayer Mtg.

ZOOM 7.30-9pm

Ph. Audrey 0435 558 390

8

Message from the Chaplain