The Clifton Catholic Charismatic Renewal team reports to the Bishop and to the National Service Committee. The National Service committee reports to the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales as well as the International Catholic Charismatic renewal team which is in the Vatican.

We are group of volunteers from different parishes across the Diocese who are committed to Mission, Discipleship and Evangelisation and seek to help others deepen their faith. We organise events around the diocese ranging from Life in the Spirit seminars to workshops on using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our renewal events involve Catholic and Ecumenical speakers from both within and outside the diocese. We try to ensure these events allow for personal formation and reflection so where possible include silent adoration or other opportunities for interior conversion.

There are a number of prayer groups within the diocese, please see the link below for details of these.

Prayer Requests

If you want prayer for any reason, please email us, renewal@cliftondiocese.com and we will circulate it to our prayer team. Please let us know if you want to remain anonymous or if you are happy for your first name to be circulated.

Useful links

Catholic Charismatic Renewal England www.ccr.org.uk/

Celebrate Conferences www.celebrateconference.org/bristol/

International Catholic Charismatic renewal www.iccrs.org/en/

Events:

It was wonderful to greet so many people at the first Life in the Spirit seminar in the Apostle Room on Tuesday evening. Over 80 people were present to hear David Payne remind us of the great and unconditional love that God has for us. He is, in the words of Pope Francis “Abba, Father”.

I looked up this reference and it came from an audience Pope Francis gave on 8^th May 2013 and he said;

“In another passage from the Letter to the Romans, that we have recalled several times, St Paul sums it up with these words: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you… have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (8:14-17). This is the precious gift that the Holy Spirit brings to our hearts: the very life of God, the life of true children, a relationship of confidence, freedom and trust in the love and mercy of God. It also gives us a new perception of others, close and far, seen always as brothers and sisters in Jesus to be respected and loved.”

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130508_udienza-generale.html

David’s talk can be heard again or downloaded by clicking on this link.

Fr David Oakley is our speaker on Tuesday 27^th February. Fr David is Rector of Oscott Seminary and we look forward to seeing everyone again then and please do bring a friend or two – new people are always welcome.

Ann Tarr on behalf of the Clifton Catholic Charismatic Renewal team.

Despite the cold and frosty weather, 65 people turned up to the second the Life in the Spirit seminar at Clifton Cathedral. Due to the weather, Fr David Oakley was unable to attend and so Ann Tarr stepped in at short notice to deliver the talk.

Ann explained what Salvation means, namely the “ preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss” or to put it differently “ The story of God’s plan to save the world from sin and death”.

God’s love for man shines through the story of Salvation in the Bible and we are called to respond regardless how unworthy we may feel. God uses many people despite their weaknesses and can even use dead people – Lazarus! – to show his almighty love for us. We are called to respond from wherever we are in our faith journey. This is the great message of these talks as is understanding what it is that God has in store for us – that this is good and will lead to a fuller life and one filled with joy.

The talk can be accessed from the Diocesan website – https://cliftondiocese.com/departments/services-and-commisions/charismatic-renewal/

A number of people have asked if they can have recording of all the talks. If you would like a cd, please email us at renewal@cliftondiocese.com so we can gauge demand. We would suggest a small charge to cover costs of £5.

Our next speaker is Jenny Baker on Tuesday 6^th March. All are warmly welcomed to attend even if you have missed the first sessions.

Clifton Catholic Charismatic Renewal team.

Jenny Baker was the speaker on Tuesday night and spoke about “New Life in Christ and the Holy Spirit”. It was interesting to hear that it took 500 years for the cross to be a sign of Christianity and nearly 900 years for Jesus to be portrayed on dead on the cross. We can sometimes forget the scandal dying in this way was. Jenny spoke about her own experience of life after her experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit. She described how now her faith had become alive, how she wanted to read scripture and to pray. She had been apprehensive of becoming a “committed Christian” as she thought it might diminish her or make her wear sandals with socks! Instead, she realised how enriching life became.

You can listen to Jenny’s talk by downloading it here or by ordering a copy on cd by emailingrenewal@cliftondiocese.com. There is a small charge of £5 for a cd of all the talks.

Our speaker on Tuesday 13^th March is Fr Richard McKay and all are very welcome to join us at the Apostle Room at Clifton Cathedral.