It was a grace for ICCRS in the person of its President, Michelle Moran, and its Director, Oreste Pesare, having celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its recognition by the Holy See. ICCRS celebrates two decades of Pontifical Recognition At the celebration were present other important figures in the history of ICCRS, who delivered a brief testimony and thanksgiving for such a significant commemoration: H. E. Rev. Card. Joseph Cordes (former Episcopal Adviser of ICCRS), Charles Whitehead (former President of ICCRS), Sr Nancy Kellar (former Director of ICCRS) and Matteo Calisi (former Vice-president of ICCRS). Others, however, took part in a spiritual way, conveying by various means their good wishes and promises of prayers for the mission of ICCRS. The celebration began with the Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, presided over by His Eminence and followed by a reception in the Pius XI hall of San Callistus Palace. Around 150 people were present to celebrate the selfless work of ICCRS along this 20 years that, as the Statutes express, focuses on the “service and promotion of the CCR all over the world, under the Holy Spirit’s action, in close contact with the Holy See” (art. 1). Among those present were also Vatican members, former and current members of the ICCRS staff, members of the Catholic Fraternity, members of charismatic Italian communities, participants of the V Leadership Formation Institute and volunteers and friends of ICCRS. Glory be to given to our Lord who “has anointed us, marking us with his seal and giving us his pledge, the Spirit that we carry in our hearts”! (2 Cor 1:22). We share with you a video message from Ralph Martin (first president and director of ICCRS): Claude Lopez (former Director of ICCRS) sent the following short message: Dear brothers and sisters of ICCRS, One of the most significant and memorable days of my life was in January 1985 when Miralda and I landed in Rome to join the small and faithfully dedicated team serving CCR worldwide. I soon discovered the significant importance of serving the Church through CCR, and to remain united to her, sharing her faith, obeying her laws and collaborating in her mission, quite a unique grace and privilege for me. I witnessed, week after week, day after day, hour after hour, the selfless and unconditional service and toil, so lovingly and freely offered and given by the small office team and volunteers, 10 to 14 hours days, six days a week and often Sunday mornings. This humbling experience constantly reminds me of St Francis of Assisi. It is often said that the Charismatic Renewal is not so much a movement, as it is an experience, a spirituality, or better still a way of life based on the Bible. As the Charismatic Renewal grows and spreads into all parts of the world, we often hear reports that people are experiencing the freely given Spirit. So I say AMEN to Fr Cantalamessa’s OFM Cap. statement: ”The Charismatic Renewal is for the whole church, not just a particular part of it, and so it must remain… as such.” Indeed we thank God for the following statements of support, encouragement and blessings received from three Popes: a) In 1975 Pope Paul VI pronounced his blessings on the Charismatic Renewal, welcoming 7000 participants to St Peter’s in Rome. b) On 30th April 1984, Pope John Paul II addressed the fifth International Leaders Conference: “I ask all members of the Charismatic Renewal to continue to cry aloud to the world with me…”open the doors to the Redeemer”. c) On 14th March 1992, again Pope John II, in an address to the ICCRS Council Members meeting in Rome said ”As you celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. I willingly join you in giving praise to God for the many fruits which it has borne in the life of the church. The emergence of the Renewal following the second Vatican Council was a particular gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church”. d) On June 3, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of the eve of Pentecost said: “The Ecclesial Movements want to and must be schools of freedom and life”…”I ask you to collaborate even more, very much more, in the Pope’s universal apostolic ministry, opening doors to Christ.”… Such affirmative and encouraging words would surely help dispel any shyness, doubt or even embarrassment about what we are about. In closing, I wish to refer to one of the many great teaching documents of the papacy of John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, which appeared in 1989 and which dealt with the vocation and ministry of the Laity. Pope John Paul Il stressed that as such the laity shared in the “priestly, prophetic and kingly mission of Christ”. CLAUDE LOPEZ (AUSTRALIA) • 3 SEPTEMBER 2013
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:28:55 +0000
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