Dear Holy Spirit,
I want this again!
( I was there and wow what a grace and a joy )
7,000 at Charismatic Conference
Catholic Register, August 24, 1985
and this
thank you
From Catholic Register, August 24, 1985
Father Bob Bedard pastor of Saint Mary's and Director of the Catholic Renewal Centre in Ottawa concentrated on the need to evangelize. "Great trials are coming, we have been warned time and time again. Our highest priority as a Church must be the ministry of evangelizing.
We should bring others to Christ" he said
Fire on the Earth
Transcribed by me below for easier reading
PS. links to all things Charismatic Renewal related at the bottom of the page
The Holy Spirit is so profoundly wonderful I feel compelled to find out whatever I can about The Third Person of the Holy Trinity ( so I can share with You )
7,000 at Charismatic Conference
Catholic Register, August 24, 1985
7,000 persons took part in the ninth annual Ontario Charismatic Conference held here, on August 2, 3, and 4.
The Conference was a call to Revival/85. Its title Fire on the Earth was based on Words from Scripture " I have come to light a Fire on the Earth. I wish the Blaze were ignited." ( Luke 12:49 ) Those present praised God with Prayers music and song asking Him to "set the mighty fire in their hearts." so that they might carry it to others,
Ontario Charismatic Conferences are organized by the Catholic Charismatic Services of Ontario a body that supports and organizes conferences and provides pastoral guidance to the Charismatic movement in liaison with Ontario Bishops. The CCSO chairman for the past three years has been Father Peter Coughlanm Pastor of Saint Patrick's Church in Hamilton and editor of Bread of Life and Ontario publication which has become national this summer.
The first Ontario Conference was held in Toronto in 1976. The number of participants increased during the next few years. From 1979 however, they were steadily decreasing until this year. Organizers believe that this marks the time of spiritual revival.
Bilingual
Four bishops, almost 40 priests, and many Sisters took part in the 1985 Conference. Auxiliary Bishop John Beahan of Ottawa sent a message of welcome and blessing. An innovation for Ottawa was a truly two-language Conference, Only the opening ceremonies and Sunday Eucharist were bilingual. Other sessions were held consecutively in English and French in different sections of Lansdowne Park.
The Keynote Speaker was Father Jean-Paul Regimbald who welcomed the full assembly on Friday Evening saying "We are here to celebrate the Theme, Fire on the Earth" by allowing ourselves to be revived renewed restored into the fullness of being in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Theme of awakening and revival was carried out throughout the next two days. Marc Gauthier who together with his wife Rosemary was the Conference co-chairman posed a question " What is a revival? It is the rekindling of the first grace which we received at Baptism and at Confirmation. It means giving God control of our daily lives. This gives richness and joy which only God can give."
Father John Randall, Pastor of Saint Charles' Parish in Providence Rhode Island suggested that every renewed Christian must also be prepared for a "trial by fire" and pass through three steps: "wisdom" when he is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, "Desert", which takes him on a journey along winding roads and "trust" in God. Wandering away from God leaves people alone and lost.
Commitment
Father Coughlin, the homilist at the Saturday Eucharist spoke about commitment and surrendering to God's Will. He said that God takes and uses what we surrender to Him, no matter how little it might be. he also talked about Prayer: Commitment involves responsibilities. It is important to hear first of all to hear what God is saying to us. The celebrant was newly ordained. Father John Vandennaker
The revival meeting on Saturday night was Ecumenical. Father Bob Macdougall, formerly of 100 Huntley Street,m and now the host of his own weekly television program, and Dean Bareca, lay evangelist from the same program invited those assembled to step forward and make a commitment to a life of service to God. The crowds walked to the front singing "Alleluia"
Father Bob Bedard pastor of Saint Mary's and Director of the Catholic Renewal Centre in Ottawa concentrated on the need to evangelize. "Great trials are coming, we have been warned time and time again. Our highest priority as a Church must be the ministry of evangelizing. We should bring others to Christ" he said
Bishop R. Despatie of Hearst, who was the homilist at the closing Eucharist on Sunday summarized the conference as the need to learn, teach, spread the Good News and pray.
He recommended that every priest should go through a 30-hour course to learn about the Charismatic Renewal, told the conference participants that each of them can be a healer if they pray for one another, and suggested three hours of silent prayer every day.
At the end, the bishop thanked all Charismatic leaders for the work they have been doing in the Church. Auxiliary Gilles Belisle of Ottawa was the celebrant
Enthusiasm
Various people experienced the conference in many different ways for instance, Teresa a participant from Pius the 10th Parish in London Ontario said "It helped me to understand that God is always with me in my trials and that I become purified and strengthened by them."
Zita, a parishioner of Saint Mary's church in Ottawa was especially enthusiastic about the revival meeting. The whole assembly participated in the Conference in a lively way
There was a word of special challenge from Father Regimbal directed towards the bishops and priests to "take advantage of the fruits of the Charismatic Renewal..., make a decision how you are going to use your lay people. They need to be instructed and educated. They are on fire with the Holy Spirit ready to work for the Lord. Where do they go from here?" asked the speaker.
The organizers felt that the 1985 Conference was a tremendous success. Next year it will be held at McMaster University in Hamilton under the title "The Spirit and the Bride Say Come!"
- 1976 in Toronto
- 1977 August 19th to 21st, Queens University - Kingston Charismatic Conference August 1977 Kingston ONKingston ON
- 1979 Hamilton
- 1980 Conference August in Thunder Bay ON
- August 14th to 16th, 1981 Queens University - Kingston ON
The Theme of the Conference'Be it Done Unto Me according to Your Word"
- 1985 - Ottawa- Charismatic Conference 7,000 at Charismatic Conference Catholic Register, August 24, 1985
- 1985 - Ottawa- Charismatic Conference 7,000 at Charismatic Conference Catholic Register, August 24, 1985
- April 29, 2023 Clothed with Power Conference - Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Ottawa, ON CCRSO Conference Speakers Bishop Scott McCaig C.C. Dr, Ralph Martin, Renewal Ministries
- A Sharing Venture - by an Evangelical Missionary and friend of Father Joe Kane