Western Oregon
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The “Life with the Holy Spirit Retreat” is designed to take place on a Saturday. The retreat consists of a series of teachings, personal testimonies, small group discussion, and prayer. Each session builds upon the preceding session. The format we use has been developed by The Word of God Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and endorsed by the Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop Emeritus of Houma-Thibodeau.
CHARIS sponsors a special opportunity to be formed in spirit and in truth with the most outstanding preachers of the Integral Formation Program, followed by thousands of people in more than 100 countries. It covers topics both from the Charismatic spirituality, as well as those emphasized by the Church. The course has been recommended by Pope Francis who will be with us together with Fr Raniero Cantalamessa O.F.M.Cap., among others.
A Celebration of Regathering. The gathering of the Church community is a joyful and visible expression of how we were created to be…united in God’s love. Believers are one family, all children of our Heavenly Father, called together to stand strong in faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ There will be over 20 popular catholic speakers; spiritually enriching presentations; reconciliation service; confessions; prayer ministry; three separate liturgies; healing services; and live praise & worship
The Archdiocese of Portland is collaborating with the John Paul II Healing Center to offer a “Healing the Whole Person” conference, Thursday and Friday evenings and all-day Saturday. Fr. Chuck Wood, the Archdiocesan Liaison for Charismatic Renewal, is on the Core "Prayer and Planning" Team for these events.
The Pentecost Novena is the first of all novenas, nine days of prayer. After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, He commanded His disciples to come together in the upper room to devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1: 14). They prayed for nine days before receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
The image from the Gospel is that of Jesus breaking the bread. This is the Eucharistic gesture par excellence. It is the distinctive sign of our faith and the place where we encounter the Lord who offers himself so that we can be reborn to new life. This gesture also challenges us. Up to that point, lambs were sacrificed and offered to God. Now Jesus becomes the lamb, offering himself in sacrifice in order to give us life. In the Eucharist, we contemplate and worship the God of love.
Pentecost is celebrated as the birthday of the Catholic Church. It marks the day when the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles in the upper room. After that, the Apostles went out into the streets and boldly proclaimed the Gospel of the Lord.
As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Scriptures teach us that genuine faith is a way of life in community. The feast of the Ascension reminds us that our vocation is to continue being and seeking God with us, "until the end of the age."
The Easter Vigil is the “Mother of All Vigils. “Easter Sunday, then, is the greatest of all Sundays, and Easter Time is the most important of all liturgical times. Easter is the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection from the dead, culminating in his Ascension to the Father and sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church.
Every year on this day, Ash Wednesday, the Church begins a spiritual journey, a renewal of her existence and a rediscovery of her life with God. The journey is rooted in the words that we will hear in a few moments when ashes are placed on us: "Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel." It is the message of Christ himself: turn away from darkness, evil and death and begin walking towards light, goodness and life.
