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News News from the British Isles and around the world
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PENTECOST FOR THE NATIONS
This exciting project the ‘Pentecost of the Nations’ is in response to both Pope John Paul II (in May 2004) and Pope Benedict XVI (in September 2005), who have expressed desires to spread the “Culture of Pentecost”. The idea is that each NSC and other Catholic Charismatic Communities should organise a variety of Upper Room events nationally, regionally and locally during the 9 days of the novena. These would be special prayer meetings or prayer vigils or talks or suitable films or plays with programmes that would be coordinated to form a countrywide network of prayer and praise. Then on the day of Pentecost itself all participating groups or communities would connect up internationally using 21st century technology and call on the Holy Spirit to come and renew the face of the earth. This is a unique opportunity for Catholic Charismatic Communities throughout the world to unite and proclaim the Good News together in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is an invitation to return to the original Upper Room in Jerusalem and join together in constant prayer (Acts1:12-14) with a single global heart. How will it all work? Here’s how to find out more and details about how to get involved: See the ICCRS web site for short downloadable promotional video and for details of how to participate in various ways within your own nation. To register your event: Part I Operation Upper Room 08 2nd–10th
May, Part II Pentecost Day Celebration 08-11th
May
liveit Conference Manchester 14th – 15th March The Live Simply project grew out of the Make Poverty History Campaign and now claims dozens of both Catholic and Non Catholic member organisations throughout the UK including the CCR. It is based on the call of Pope Paul VI in 1967 in his encyclical “On the Development of Peoples” (Populorum Progressio) to share and conserve the world’s resources for the benefit of all peoples. In the developing world many are forced to live simply because of their impoverished economic circumstances. The Live Simply challenge for us is to identify what we really need rather than grasp for more: to consume less, give more (not just money, time as well) and be happier as a result. The Conference will take place in New Century House. All the information you need can be found on the web-site www.livesimply.org.uk/event08
Frances Graham (Chairman NSC Wales) and Sheila Smith (treasurer NSC Wales), attended a course led by Fr Laurence Brassill O.S.A. and Mrs Pauline Edwards at the Augustinian Priory of Clare in Suffolk. These courses run over three weekends spread over a period of about 6 months, starting on Friday evenings and finishing on Sundays after lunch. The setting is the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the Augustinian Priory of Clare in Suffolk where participants are invited to share community life with the sisters including morning and evening prayer, daily mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as mealtimes. The purpose of the course is to equip participants to pray over others and ask the Holy Spirit to heal childhood memories, some remembered, some forgotten, which interfere with and diminish their spiritual lives. To be able to do this the prayer guides need to have their own troublesome memories healed too. As Frances Graham says, ‘Often, we are not aware of the hurts that bind us, but by allowing God’s Spirit into the situation, we become transformed. Time and time again, we saw the result of God’s healing power on the course!’ Fr Brassill and Pauline Edwards lead the course both in the open sessions and in individual counselling or personal ministry. Fr Brassill also hears confessions for those who wish to go. Participants pray for each other as well and are encouraged to use the gifts of the Spirit as they are prompted. Sheila Smith comments ‘Personally I had so much healed from childhood, in great calm (I am not usually!). The Lord is gentle, compassionate and understanding. I have prayed with others since and seen them healed instantly.’ For more info, contact: Clare Priory, Ashen Road, Clare,
Suffolk, CO10 8NX Tel: 01787-277326, Fax: 01787-278688
JOHN PRIDMORE EVANGELISING IN THE ENDZ
Between 130-140 people showed up for the evening which was very blessed. Members of the Westminster Cathedral Prayer Group healing team prayed with people afterwards, and the Cenacolo community, which ministers to drug addicts sent several young men to be available to talk to anyone interested in their mission afterwards. Most of the people who turned up were already church goers, but all kinds of other people arrived who had heard about the event from friends or family. Among these was the printer of the advertising posters, who was intrigued to find out what it was all about. Seven teenagers from the estate, also came. They spoke to John Pridmore, afterwards, who gave them copies of his book “Gangland to Promised Land”. Kristina comments, “I suppose I was a bit disappointed that not more local people came, but since the event, I realise there have been more fruits than I thought. Several of the boys, have told me they are reading John’s book. This is a big step forward. Also just going round the neighbourhood publicising the event beforehand, brought me into contact with people I wouldn’t normally talk to and I was amazed how positive people were about it, even if they didn’t come themselves.” She adds, “I was really touched by the generosity of Fr Patrick, the priest of the Ascension church where we had the event and for the support of several parishioners, which I felt was a great gesture of solidarity in the lead up to the week of prayer for Christian unity.” For further info about John and his ministry tel 00 353 87 362 3996
PROMOTING BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT IN IRELAND
Aiden McMorrow of the Community of Nazareth has done trojan work over the last six years or so in promoting and distributing the Goodnews magazine in Ireland. The Irish National Service Committee wish to express heartfelt appreciation for all Aiden’s work and sacrifice during this time. The Goodnews team would like to add their good wishes as well. Thank you so much Aiden and may God continue to bless you in all that you do. Sr Bridget Dunne of the Prayer Centre in Cork will be taking over distribution in Ireland with effect from the next issue of Goodnews (May-June). Welcome Sr Bridget!
Donations are needed - The purpose of the launch was to publicise the event so that as many people as possible get to know about it and to raise much needed donations to subsidise the funding needed. The cost of a seat at Millwall is £14 but the prices being charged for tickets range from £4 to £8 (or £10 on the day itself). The organisers want to make sure that ordinary people can afford to come, including hoped for coachloads from different churches and parishes. So there is a need to rely on God’s providence to make up the cash shortfall. Prayer and fasting as the day approaches All involved are praying and fasting as the great day approaches. When asked why he was doing this Johnathan Oneyede said quite simply “because the Lord told me to”. Jesus said May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us. (Jn 17: 21) This must be the prayer of all Christians and this is what is looked for at Millwall. The Holy Spirit is blowing. Is He reaching you yet? To find out more and get involved, or to make a donation go to www.gdoplondon.com
CELEBRATE WEEKENDS 2008
This year instead of the very popular Celebrate Week at the John Fowler Holiday Camp in Ilfracombe in Devon there will be a series of special Celebrate weekends round the country which will have the same ethos and provide the same excellent spiritual input for children, teens and families. The hope is in this way to extend the Celebrate experience to a whole new group of people who haven’t previously come for the Easter week at Ilfracombe. The theme for the weekends will be the same “The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5.5). Please find details of the different venues, dates and contacts for the w/ends below, or visit www.celebrateconference.org
Joel's Bar "If we live in the Spirit let's walk in the Spirit" Held at Worth Abbey, East Sussex, this Easter celebration will have all of the usual Joel’s Bar goodness plus a lot more. Worth Abbey has its own bar, common room, dancefloor, cinema room, theatre... and of course a stunning abbey church, all of which we’ll be putting to good use during the week. There’ll be great praise & worship, teaching, prayer and plenty of time to enjoy with hundreds of other young people who’ve come to have a week of fun and faith. As this is an event for young people only the age range for Joel’s Bar has been CHANGED - this event is open to anyone in school year 13 up to age 25! The cost is £155 - which includes ALL food and
accommodation, with an early booking discount of £10 for bookings
received before 1st February. Also note that if you want to come EARLY
then we will provide FREE food and accommodation for up to 15 people
from Maundy Thursday until the conference starts on Easter Tuesday.
The catch is that you’ll be part of the team cleaning the site
before the conference starts. Don’t worry... it’ll be fun
and you’ll still get to celebrate Easter in the glorious surroundings
of Worth with all the other early cleaners, the monks of Worth Abbey
and the Joel’s Bar team! NB: Space is limited, bookings will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. It is essential that you book in at least 3 weeks before the start of the w/end you plan to attend. It is very important that we know the number and age of children and young adults attending the groups.
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In
the year 2000, Pope John Paul II highlighted that part of the role of
ICCRS, (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services), was to
“coordinate and promote exchange of experiences and reflections
among Catholic Charismatic Communities throughout the world”. Over
the last few years this vision has gradually developed especially through
the promotion of the Pentecost Novena. This Pentecost, the ICCRS vision
is to have all Catholic Charismatic communities worldwide praying a
Pentecost novena (from 2nd – 10th May), emulating the apostles
and Mary in the Upper Room, and then to link up through the internet
or a satellite video connection on Pentecost day itself (11th May) with
prayer and praise, teachings, a solemn invocation of the Holy Spirit
and a final concert dedicated to the glory of God. 
iccrs.org
att: Fabio Angliani
Kristina
Cooper, who has being trying to evangelise the young people of her neighbourhood
for the past six years, invited John Pridmore, the ex-east end gangster
to give his testimony at a local Anglican church on the estate at the
beginning of the year (12th Jan). She and Roberto Callus, who has been
helping her, as well as encouraging the young people to come, also advertised
the event in the local pubs, takeaways and shops, and alerted nearby
churches and prayer groups. 
The
2008 meeting for leaders of the Charismatic Renewal in Ireland took
place at Greenhills in Dublin on 12 January. It was not to be a “cosy”
meeting but one of great challenge. Marie Beirne, Chair of the NSC in
Ireland, was the main speaker and she came up with the word – You
have not listened to Jesus’ call to “Go out to the whole world
and spread the good news.” Quoting 2 Cor. 6.1 “Do not accept
the grace of God in vain.” she said, ‘this is the time to
move out; what we have received we must give away’. The meeting
was reminded of Pope John Paul II’s prayer in 1979 which led to
the vision to offer every person in Ireland the opportunity to be baptised
in the Holy Spirit. Other speakers were, Fr Chris Thomas, Linda Walker
and Mgr. Pat Lynch, all inspirational contributors. Follow up meetings
are to be organised regionally to develop a planned strategy of evangelisation.
The Spirit was moving at the meeting. Now it must move out to fill the
nation with His fire.