FAQS
Serving the Renewal of the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Auckland Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group Network was known as Auckland Catholic Charismatic Renewal until 2021. With the inauguration of Charis and diocesan Currents of Grace, we changed our name to reflect the groups we represent and to acknowledge that there are other groups which have come out of the current of grace called Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
A Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a spiritual movement that has existed with the Catholic Church since 1967. It emphasises the availability of the Power and Gifts of the Holy Spirit and encourages a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It operates through Prayer Groups, Community Ministries and Services around the world.
In 1967 in the USA at a Retreat a group of students prayed for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives and the life of the Church.
They experienced an overwhelming outpouring of the Holy Spirit that changed their lives and many others.
Read more about this. https://www.nsc-chariscenter.org/the-ark-and-the-dove/
Read a testimony by Patti Mansfield, one of the students on the retreat:
https://www.thearkandthedoveworldwide.org/en/2016/07/patti-mansfield/
.In 2019 Pope Francis inaugurated a new service, CHARIS, that is, Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service. This committee has the task of serving charismatic groups all over the world. Each nation also forms a Charis committee to serve the charismatic groups in their nation. In 2022, Charis NZ is coordinated by Helen Smithson from Hamilton.
Each Diocese in NZ has a subgroup called Current of Grace, (COG). COG Auckland is co-ordinated by Mike Lobo. COG is formed from representatives of different charismatic realities in the diocese.
All the Popes since Catholic Charismatic Renewal began, have endorsed and encouraged the Renewal. In 1979, Pope John Paul II, speaking to a group of international leaders of the Renewal, said, “I am convinced that this movement is a very important component of the entire Renewal of the Church.”
In 2014 at a Convocation at the Roman Olympic Stadium, Pope Francis said, "You, the Charismatic Renewal, have received a great gift from the Lord. Your movement's birth was willed by the Holy Spirit to be 'a current of grace’ in the Church and for the Church.” …. ”I expect you to share with everyone in the Church the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit.”.
In 2019 Pope Francis inaugurated Charis as a group to serve all Catholic Charismatic Realities. Charis operates under the dicastery of Laity, Family and Life.
There are many gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in the scriptures. When talking about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit the Charismatic Renewal focuses on the charisms of the Holy Spirit which are listed in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11. These charisms are given for the service of others.
Prophecy – God’s word to us at this moment in time.
Tongues – God’s action moving someone to speak or sing out aloud in non-vernacular language. The primary purpose is to release the gift of interpretation.
Interpretations – speaking or singing out an interpretation of God’s message which has just been given in tongues. It is an interpretation not a translation.
Knowledge – some understanding of a situation that only God knows and reveals to one or more of those present.
Wisdom – How best to use that Knowledge
Discernment – What spirit is working here? Is it the Holy Spirit, the person’s human spirit or an evil one?
Healing – of body, mind, spirit and relationships
Miracles – A transforming or healing incident, beyond human power to achieve, either in the speed or extent of its action.
Faith – believing and knowing that God is working now.
It usually begins with praise and worship including singing in tongues and exercise of charisms such as prophecy. After this there may be sharing of testimonies, teaching or sharing of the word and intercessory prayer. It usually ends or begins with time for fellowship.
It releases the power of the Holy Spirit and His Gifts to participants, like the experience the disciples had when they gathered in the Upper Room (Acts 2).
The raising of hands is a sign of openness and surrender to the Lord. “Let my prayer come like incense before you, the lifting up of our hands like the evening sacrifice.”
The Gift of Tongues is important to the Charismatic, as it is a gift from God. There are two types of tongues: the Gift of Tongue is a message, that needs another person with the Gift of Interpretation. The other Tongue is used as prayer language, “He who speaks in Tongue, speaks not to men, but to God, because no-one understands him, but in the Spirit he utters mysteries (1 Corinthians 14: 2).
Healing” or “Charismatic” Mass is no different from any other Mass you might attend in any Catholic Church. At times people may raise their hands in prayer and you may witness the use of some of the Gifts of the Spirit. There is no requirement to raise your hands or pray in any way that is uncomfortable to you.