Dear Members of the Charismatic Renewal in Oregon and Southern Washington

On October 19, 2019, Bishop Peter Smith will be our guest at Our Lady of the Lake Parish Center, at 650 “A” Avenue, Lake Oswego, OR.  The theme of the day is “Build Unity in the Power of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis named Bishop Peter to the International Service of Communion of CHARIS (Charismatic Renewal International Service). This service was inaugurated by the Pope on Pentecost 2019, as a Vatican-based service providing pastoral support for the unity of all expressions of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) worldwide. In his new role, Bishop Peter has oversight of the English and French speaking Catholic Charismatic Renewal in North America and the Caribbean.

Bishop Smith will be giving four talks.  For the first three talks, he will pick from the following list of topics:

1. Being of One Mind and One Heart.
2. The Charismatic Renewal as a current of Grace — Pope Francis and St. Pope John Paul II.
3. We are fire on the Earth — Luke 12:49-53.
4. Growth – There is always more.
5. How to keep people in the Church.
6. Various ways to bring the Baptism of the Spirit to people other than seminars.
7. Follow up.
8. The Charism of Ecumenism.

The last talk will provide information about CHARIS.  The agenda for this Day of Reflection is here.

Day-of-Renewal-with-Bishop-Peter-Smith-agenda

This Day of Renewal will begin at 8:00 a.m. with registration.  We will break for an hour lunch at 11:30 a.m.  There are restaurants around, but keep in mind this is Lake Oswego, OR.  It may be cheaper and easier for you to bring your own lunch.  We will provide coffee, tea, hot chocolate, breakfast snacks and probably some fruit.

The day will end in prayer at 3:30 p.m. There will be confessions in the Church from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. and the vigil Mass begins at 5:00  p.m., if you would like to stay. Bishop Smith will not be able to participate as he has a commitment that evening.

I know many of you live a long way away.  There are hotels in Tigard, Tualatin, Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR where you could stay.  Please come if you can.  Bring your prayer group members with you, if you belong to one.  Many people don’t and so really need these moments of grace.

July 19, 20, and 21^st were the dates of a really powerful Vietnamese Conference at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Portland, OR. Their guest speaker was Fr. Jose Maniyangat. He was originally from India and is currently living in Florida.

His story is amazing about dying in a motorcycle accident, going to heaven and on the way his guardian angel showed him Hell, Purgatory.  When in Heaven, Jesus commissioned him to go back to Earth and tell his story wherever he was sent.  In November 1986, he came to the U.S. as a missionary priest.  Since 1999, he has been the Pastor of St. Mary’s Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida.

Fr. Jose spoke in English. However, many of the participants could not understand, so an interpreter was arranged. Fr. Tjanh-Quang Le not only did an excellent job (with the help of Mrs. Hoa Nguyen) but also gave a talk of his own.

I attended on Saturday, but the conference began on Friday night with a beautiful Mass and wonderful music.  It ended Sunday with the Mass.

Those who went all three days thought it an amazing experience with a truly great message — Be vigilant and be ready for we never know when the end will come.

About 200 people attended this free event. All were fed for each meal during the conference. It reminded me of the fishes and loaves and the continual food supply.

Fr. Maniyangat’s message to us is to stay alert. Obey the commandments and seek God’s face every day. Love one another. Go to confession regularly. Pray the rosary every day. Build your relationship with Jesus. HEAVEN IS REAL.  So is Hell.

God Bless you,

Jackie Morgan and the WOCCR Service Team