ARTICLES

Pentecost celebration draws 300

By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian

“Immersed in the Fire of His Love” was the theme of the Pentecost celebration sponsored by the Tidewater Catholic Conference Charismatic Renewal Service Committee.

The May 27 event, which drew more than 300 people to St. John the Apostle Church in Virginia Beach on Pentecost Sunday, celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in our lives.

Prayer and song, banners, dancing and yards and yards of whirling fabric added to the festivities that commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal. A Eucharistic Procession through the church was the climax of the festivities which also included praise and worship, and personal witness.

“We’re doing what the Pope asked, which is to bring the Eucharistic procession back into church” said Lory Clements, who chaired the committee for the event.

“The fact is God does not send his Word without sending his Breath” said guest speaker, Walter Mattews, executive director of the National Charismatic Renewal Service Committee. He challenged those present to be immersed in the fire of God’s love like the first disciples who waited for the Spirit in Jerusalem.

“We celebrate the Nativity and the Resurrection of the Lord with great festivity but we do a terrible job of celebrating this day,” noted Mr. Matthews.

Referring to the support which Pope John Paul II had given to the renewal he said, “Thanks to the Charismatic Renewal, many have rediscovered Pentecost as a living daily experience in their lives”.

Deacon Darrell Wentworth, liaison to the bishop for the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Richmond, explained, “Each person needs to be docile to the spirit of action in their life so that charisms given in Baptism and sealed through the sacrament of Confirmation remain active in renewing the Church.

“The Charismatic Renewal allows people to come out of an introspective faith and see that they were created for good works.”

Flora Carrington, a member of the New Creation prayer community, explained the biweekly gatherings offer praise, worship, prophecy, fellowship, teachings and the love of God.

When asked what drew her to the Charismatic Renewal, 79-year-old Mary Carty said, “A man called Jesus. You’ve got to have a personal relationship with him and I haven’t found anyone I can love like him.”

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