When the Charismatic renews the Catholic
When we introduced our monthly 'New Fire Mass' at All Saints Church about two years ago, reactions were inevitably mixed. Some members of our congregation instantly loved it, others hated it, whilst the majority weren't sure and adapted to it over time. Fortunately, the fact that the liturgy remained firmly Catholic seems to have held these three groups together.
Two years on, I think it's fair to say that 'New Fire' has become an integral and valued part of our monthly round of worship. To many, it's simply a more contemporary 'take' on the Eucharist with lively modern music (or 'a jazzed up Mass' as one old timer calls it). A smaller group of worshippers, however, recognise that there is much more to it than that. This group (which is steadily growing) is gradually embracing a Charismatic spirituality and opening itself to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Lent groups over the last couple of years where subjects such as praying in tongues have been raised, members have expressed a genuine interest and not an eyebrow has been raised, whereas years ago there would have been consternation at the very mention of such a thing.
A number of our folk have now attended the annual On Fire Mission Midlands Renewal Day, which has been a great way of gently initiating them into something more overtly Charismatic. (More such days would be really helpful - hint, hint!) Again I have been pleasantly surprised at how they have taken it all in their stride and have clearly been left wanting more. Indeed last year, one of our most devout Catholic ladies with a very strong personality amazed me - and, I think, herself - by falling and resting in the Spirit during prayer ministry. She is hungry for more.
Interestingly, Charismatic renewal - slow and steady though it is - is clearly bringing with it Catholic renewal.
When I first arrived in the benefice five years ago, our other parish (St Thomas South Wigston) had two Quiet Days a year, attended by about fifteen or so people. When we opened this up to the newly formed benefice, only one or two folks from this parish (All Saints and St Wistan, Wigston Magna) attended. This year we had over a dozen people from this parish. When I first took a group to the annual Pilgrimage at St Albans three years ago, we had about fifteen or so people, but it is now well established as an annual event with increasing numbers wanting to attend each year. When I suggested organising a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham a year or two ago, I met with a very negative response. A few months ago, I was 'lobbied' by several people who were very keen that we should go to Walsingham this year! So fifteen people will go on a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham - most of them for the first time - in July. Finally, the number of people using the Confessional has increased significantly, with others making enquiries about how it works.
None of this, of course, is headline-grabbingly dramatic, but God is clearly at work here steadily deepening the faith of his people, and this in turn is prompting them to be more outward-looking and mission focussed, and that is quite a turn-around from the situation I inherited five years ago. I'm delighted too that - as On Fire Mission demonstrates so effectively - the Catholic and Charismatic traditions can not only co-exist but can also feed and sustain one another.
I believe that the growing interest in Charismatic spirituality within the Catholic wing of the Church of England could be a source of renewal within the Catholic movement and could both balance up and complement the HTB-style Charismatic Evangelical model that seems to be perceived by many as the only source of new life in the Church.
For this to happen, however, Charismatic clergy in non-charismatic Catholic parishes (of whom there seem to be quite a few) will need to be encouraged to venture out of the closet and to introduce their parishes to the potential of renewal. This won't always be easy, and I suspect there is perhaps also an important role for On Fire Mission here. For my part, I know from experience that grasping the nettle of renewal is scary, but I also know from experience that God is very faithful in his response. Finally, I would also want to reassure those who are hesitant that these things can (and perhaps even should) happen in a gentle and gradual way. The Holy Spirit can do subtle as well as dramatic and the resulting renewal can be Catholic as well as Charismatic.
Two years on, I think it's fair to say that 'New Fire' has become an integral and valued part of our monthly round of worship. To many, it's simply a more contemporary 'take' on the Eucharist with lively modern music (or 'a jazzed up Mass' as one old timer calls it). A smaller group of worshippers, however, recognise that there is much more to it than that. This group (which is steadily growing) is gradually embracing a Charismatic spirituality and opening itself to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Lent groups over the last couple of years where subjects such as praying in tongues have been raised, members have expressed a genuine interest and not an eyebrow has been raised, whereas years ago there would have been consternation at the very mention of such a thing.
A number of our folk have now attended the annual On Fire Mission Midlands Renewal Day, which has been a great way of gently initiating them into something more overtly Charismatic. (More such days would be really helpful - hint, hint!) Again I have been pleasantly surprised at how they have taken it all in their stride and have clearly been left wanting more. Indeed last year, one of our most devout Catholic ladies with a very strong personality amazed me - and, I think, herself - by falling and resting in the Spirit during prayer ministry. She is hungry for more.
Interestingly, Charismatic renewal - slow and steady though it is - is clearly bringing with it Catholic renewal.
When I first arrived in the benefice five years ago, our other parish (St Thomas South Wigston) had two Quiet Days a year, attended by about fifteen or so people. When we opened this up to the newly formed benefice, only one or two folks from this parish (All Saints and St Wistan, Wigston Magna) attended. This year we had over a dozen people from this parish. When I first took a group to the annual Pilgrimage at St Albans three years ago, we had about fifteen or so people, but it is now well established as an annual event with increasing numbers wanting to attend each year. When I suggested organising a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham a year or two ago, I met with a very negative response. A few months ago, I was 'lobbied' by several people who were very keen that we should go to Walsingham this year! So fifteen people will go on a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham - most of them for the first time - in July. Finally, the number of people using the Confessional has increased significantly, with others making enquiries about how it works.
None of this, of course, is headline-grabbingly dramatic, but God is clearly at work here steadily deepening the faith of his people, and this in turn is prompting them to be more outward-looking and mission focussed, and that is quite a turn-around from the situation I inherited five years ago. I'm delighted too that - as On Fire Mission demonstrates so effectively - the Catholic and Charismatic traditions can not only co-exist but can also feed and sustain one another.
I believe that the growing interest in Charismatic spirituality within the Catholic wing of the Church of England could be a source of renewal within the Catholic movement and could both balance up and complement the HTB-style Charismatic Evangelical model that seems to be perceived by many as the only source of new life in the Church.
For this to happen, however, Charismatic clergy in non-charismatic Catholic parishes (of whom there seem to be quite a few) will need to be encouraged to venture out of the closet and to introduce their parishes to the potential of renewal. This won't always be easy, and I suspect there is perhaps also an important role for On Fire Mission here. For my part, I know from experience that grasping the nettle of renewal is scary, but I also know from experience that God is very faithful in his response. Finally, I would also want to reassure those who are hesitant that these things can (and perhaps even should) happen in a gentle and gradual way. The Holy Spirit can do subtle as well as dramatic and the resulting renewal can be Catholic as well as Charismatic.
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