Empowerment Seminar - A Storm by the Holy Spirit

-Rahul Raphael

Kolkata: An “Empowerment Seminar” to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was organized by the Archdiocese of Kolkata at the initiative of his Grace Mos t Rev. Thomas D’ Souza at Don Bosco Auditorium (Park Circus School) on the 13th and 14th of August 2017 from 9:00am- 5:00pm. The main preachers were Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut (National Episcopal Adviser to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India) and Mr. Cyril John (Chairman of National CCRS).

The core group set up for the purpose, spurred by the main coordinators, Fr. Dominic Gomes (Vicar General and conv ene r) Fr. Augus tine Mundackatt V.C. (Director of Emmaus Retreat Centre), Fr. A.C. Jose (CCCRS Spiritual director), Mr. Raymond Baptist (CCCRS chairman), Mr. Charles Sassoon and Sandra Singh worked out every detail and with the help of a host of volunteers and brought to light the highly powerful and appreciated Seminar. On 13th August that was meant mainly for the laity saw about 800 participants while on the 14th that was meant mainly for the clergy and religious, there were 600 only as it was a working day. The first day of the seminar started off on 13th August Sunday morning with the rosary followed by the powerful Praise & Worship led by the members of CCCRS and Emmaus Retreat Centre. Our Archbishop Thomas D’Souza inaugurated the Seminar and delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of finding the spiritual sources within the Catholic Church while absorbing also the spiritual current of the charismatic springtime ushered in the last 50 years. It was followed by a powerful talk on the Word of God and the need for prayer by by Fr.Augustine ( Director of Emmaus Retreat Centre) while Fr. AC Jose conducted a moving adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, dwelling on the Love of God in a touching manner and proceeding on to a very tangibly felt healing and deliverance session.

In the afternoon, Bishop Francis Kalist and Mr. Cyril John were welcomed by his Grace Archbishop Thomas D’Souza. In the their talks that day they dwelt on the history and springtime power of the Catholic Charismatic renewal, emphasizing very much how Pope Francis has given a boost to this phenomenon, though earlier as a Jesuit Provincial, he had opposed it, but later became a promoter of it when he was the Bishop in Argentina. Their message to the people was that the need of the hour is to reach out to all the people who are not yet aware of the Charismatic movement. Mr. Cyril John elaborated on the goals, features and mission of CCRS- Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services. A Solemn Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Kalist , followed thereafter, to conclude the Day 1 of the Seminar. Day 2 of the Seminar also commenced with the Rosary and Praise and worship followed by talks given by Mr. Cyril John and Bishop Kalist and, addressed mainly to the clergy of Kolkata. The main message delivered by the main speakers was the need and urgency for the clergy and religious leading different parishes, Schools and social activities across Kolkata to organize more and more Charismatic Renewal Services for the people who need the Holy Spirit. At 1 PM the Holy Mass was presided over by Archbishop Thomas while Bishop Kalist gave the homily. His main message was “to be a Christian is to be an Evangelizer”. In the afternoon there was a beautiful adoration and service and an in-filling of the Holy Spirit conducted by Bishop Francis Kalist. During the entire two-day Seminar the choir created the atmosphere of Worship for the people. As the curtains came down in the evening our Vicar General (Fr.Dominic Gomes) thanked each and every one for their whole hearted participation during the two days and congratulated all the volunteers and in a special way thanked our Archbishop Thomas D’Souza and Bishop Kalist and Mr. Cyril and the out team of organizers and more specially the Salesian P:rovincial Fr. Nirmol Gomes and Fr. Rector and community of Don Bosco Park Circus for making available the auditorium  and the premises for this grand event. Fr. Dominic Gomes himself was fully into the celebration of this extraordinary “Storm from the Holy Spirit” for Kolkata that was watched all over the world through the telecasting done by the Catholichub.tv from Hyderabad, thanks to Fr. Augustine’s initiative in inviting them.