CRS Boston Leadership Training Day

October 17, 2009, St Mary’s Church, Waltham, MA

Finally, after over a year’s work and collaboration, the first translated charismatic leadership training manual from Brazil is available: Catholic Charismatic Renewal – Brazil: Formation Ministry, Prayer Groups, Workbook III by Alides Destri Mariotti and Ronaldo José de Sousa.

Alvaro Soares presented the first three chapters to an eager group of leaders from Boston area prayer groups. These chapters cover the nature of charismatic prayer groups, prayer meetings, and the services of prayer groups.

By quoting scriptures Alvaro explained that the elements of charismatic prayer groups are related to the experience of the early church. One part of a prayer group is called the “Core Group”. These are members who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and take responsibility for the prayer group as a whole. The manual compares the core group to the disciples gathered in the upper room at Pentecost; they went on to build the Church.

A critical element of a prayer group is the prayer meeting. It is the setting where people experience God’s power, witness the Charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, and have their hearts touched. Alvaro stressed that the prayer meeting is most important element of the charismatic renewal. “There is no renewal if there are no prayer meetings.” The manual likens the prayer meeting to the crowd from many nations at Pentecost who are converted to Christ upon hearing the message of salvation.

The third element of a prayer group is called the

“Perseverance Group”. These are the people who have been evangelized and join together to grow in the doctrine of the Apostles, communal life, participation in the Eucharist, and the active life of the Church. Life in the Spirit Seminars often are the root of this group of people who subsequently are nurtured to grow as servants in prayer group ministries and exercise the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their service.

The term “ministry” is often used to identify the various services offered by the prayer group. Each ministry is an expression of a charism practiced in the authority of Jesus. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that integrates a person’s human abilities with the authority and mission of Jesus. All services offered to God’s kingdom are offered under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Three important ministries identified for each prayer group are greeters, intercessors, and teachers. Other ministries named in the manual are the setup team, music ministry, children’s team, healing, and deliverance ministries.

Animated discussions accompanied each presentation as those gathered sought to apply the prayer group model described in the manual and presentation to our diverse prayer community situations. We shared our concerns, experiences, and ways to apply the manual’s model of prayer groups over lunch.

Father Athanasious Musajia from the Kampala, Uganda shared many insights and experiences during our discussions. We closed the rich day of teaching as Father presided at our Mass. In his homily he recognized that “God sometimes provides what is needed in spite of our not having gifts. If you have the opportunity to serve, just step out! Things never happen unless we are willing to step out.” Father encouraged an attitude that says, “I’m available. I just want to serve you.”

All attending are urged to bring the teaching of the day to their prayer groups and other groups they contact. Especially remember to invite others as we will continue to explore and digest this prayer group training manual in next month’s CRS Boston Leaders Training Day (Saturday, November 21).