Life in the Spirit

[Faith1960]

My parish is putting on a workshop called Life in the Spirit and I was urged by a new parish friend of mine to sign up, so I did. She’s going to be one of the facilitators along with another friend and a Sister. They’ve told me it’s to teach how to become closer to the Holy Spirit. Has anyone heard of this program and is it good?

 

[puzzleannie]

Life in the Spirit is the initial seminar for those who wish to learn more about and explore the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The encounter with the Holy Spirit does not end with the seminar, but continues with regular prayer groups and conferences.

Like any other retreat, conference, or seminar, its value and orthodoxy depend on who is sponsoring and presenting it. CCR itself is a legitimate, recognized, approved spiritual movement within the Church. Fortunately a lot of the excesses and errors that arose in the heyday of the movement in the 80s have gone away, and those remaining dedicated are much more orthodox. My take is that those who caused problems were those causing problems with dissent in every other area and they have moved on to greener pastures or left the church altogether.

Done properly, Life in the Spirit can be a life changing experience. Approach it with an open mind and open heart ready for the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life.

 

[littleone]

I agree with Puzzelanny and would suggest that you might like to read a, or, some books on the different saints. They will show you how the Holy Spirit works when a person letts go and letts God take over their lives.

Living with the Holy Spirit is exactly what Jesus told us we have to have to become alive in the spirit. Jesus told us that He had to go so that the spirit would come and teach all things. Without the Holyspirit we are unable to truely do God’s will on earth. The spirit gives all that we are and read, life.

God bless
littleone.

 

[Pani_Rose]

You know I was reading in Jude last night, somehow I think it is good here. I reallly kind of think it is what the Life in the Spirit Seminar is really all about. I never caught that before. I especially like the last two verses…

JUDE
1 1 Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, 2 to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ: 2 may mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. 3
Beloved, although I was making every effort to write to
you about our common salvation, 3 I now feel a
need to write to encourage you to contend for the faith
that was once for all handed down to the holy ones…

17 But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 for they told you, “In (the) last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” 12 19 These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 On those who waver, have mercy; 13 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, 14 abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.** 24 ** 15 To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory,** 25 **** to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.**

 

[Prodigal_Son]

As a charismatic Catholic, I am delighted to read the responses by puzzleannie and others. Life in the Spirit seminars can be awesome.

The charismatic movement gets some bad press on these forums, sometimes. And yet, most charismatics are far more committed and orthodox than the average “church attending” Catholic.

May the Spirit of God rest upon you and dwell with you, Faith, whether or not you attend the seminar.

 

[water]

I would say go for it. I attended once last summer and that was when my life took a good turn toward God. The key thing to me is to “test the spirits” - at my seminar, many people become very devout Catholic for them seeing different miracles and some spirits appear in different form. While some are of God, others are not. To test spirit, I would suggest that you need to study Bible a lot and to learn all the teaching of the Church.

I know one group who believe they have the gift of tongue, healing, discerning…however, they do not like to study Bible; they don’t listen to the pastor. My family is no longer with that group.

A huge mistake if you take Bible out of your spiritual life.

 

[asquared]

I
I know one group who believe they have the gift of tongue, healing, discerning…however, they do not like to study Bible; they don’t listen to the pastor. My family is no longer with that group.

A huge mistake if you take Bible out of your spiritual life.

this in no way shape or form describes what Life in the Spirit or Charismatic Renewal is about. Just because somebody associated with this movement went wacko or did or said something crazy 20 yrs ago does not condemn the whole movement.

as was suggested earlier, find out who is presenting the seminar, what is their status in the diocese, do they have the bishop’s approval, and the pastor’s and are they generally considered to be orthodox and obedient.

 

[water]

said something crazy 20 yrs ago does not condemn the whole movement.

who said it is condemned? Didn’t I say “go for it?”

I only give advice that I thought no one could deny.

 

[rciadan]

Life in the Spirit is the initial seminar for those who wish to learn more about and explore the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The encounter with the Holy Spirit does not end with the seminar, but continues with regular prayer groups and conferences.

Like any other retreat, conference, or seminar, its value and orthodoxy depend on who is sponsoring and presenting it. CCR itself is a legitimate, recognized, approved spiritual movement within the Church. Fortunately a lot of the excesses and errors that arose in the heyday of the movement in the 80s have gone away, and those remaining dedicated are much more orthodox. My take is that those who caused problems were those causing problems with dissent in every other area and they have moved on to greener pastures or left the church altogether.

Done properly, Life in the Spirit can be a life changing experience. Approach it with an open mind and open heart ready for the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life.

I would say that PuzzleAnnie has given a fair assessment. I went to a Life In the Spirit Seminar a number of years back (at the time my parish was 100% charismatic, including every Mass). It was very informative and it helped me to pray in a manner I had neveer experienced before.

That said, it is best always to keep your radar on. As St. Vincent of Lerins says, even the most devount and glorious teachers can succemb to novelty and heresy (not that they will). But be ready to recognize it if and when you hear teaching that goes against what you know to be true Catholic teaching. As PuzzleAnnie has said, the program is only as orthodox as those who present it.

Enjoy… and tell us how it went!