"Faith seeks understanding": it is intrinsic to faith that a believer desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith, and to understand better what He has revealed; a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love. The grace of faith opens "the eyes of your hearts" to a lively understanding of the contents of Revelation: that is, of the totality of God's plan and the mysteries of faith, of their connection with each other and with Christ, the center of the revealed mystery. "The same Holy Spirit constantly perfects faith by his gifts, so that Revelation may be more and more profoundly understood." In the words of St. Augustine, "I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #158)
Adult Faith Formation at St. Clare's Parish has two goals:
To form a parish that is vitally alive in faith. We seek to provide a parish climate and an array of activities and resources designed to help adults more fully understand and live their faith.
To form adults who actively cultivate a lively baptismal and eucharistic spirituality with a powerful sense of mission and apostolate. Nourished by word, sacrament, and communal life, they will witness and share the Gospel in their homes, neighborhoods, places of work and centers of culture.
In short, the aim of this program is to do everything we can to support and encourage each member of this parish on his or her spiritual journey with Jesus Christ.
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Marcy Dabbene
Bernice Fisher
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Gale LaForge
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Marilyn Marotti
Ginger Miller
Maureen Rachlin
Robert Romano
Claire Smith
Tom Tumminello
Vincent Ward
The aim of Charismatic Renewal is to help people experience the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit that were given to us at Baptism and Confirmation. This experience is known as the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”. This spiritual awakening enables us to have a deep personal relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It also produces a hunger for scripture and the Eucharist and a deeper prayer life. It encourages God’s children to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the Gospel to others.
A charismatic prayer meeting is a weekly gathering of Christians who give praise, thanks and honor to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We gather in community to worship God as the Holy Spirit moves us, and to encourage and support each other in faith.
The format of a meeting consists of rosary, praise and worship, expression of word gifts (Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Prophecy, Tongues and interpretation of Tongues) as well as inspired scripture reading, teachings, testimony/sharing, intercessory prayer, healing prayer and social time. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
In an address to the International Conference for Charismatic Leaders, Pope John Paul II said, "the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has helped many Christians to rediscover the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, in the life of the church and in the world, and this rediscovery has awakened in them a faith in Christ filled with joy, a great love of the church and a generous dedication to her evangelizing mission".
The biblical basis for the spiritual gifts we seek is Charismatic Gifts (1 Corinthians 12,13,14); Word of Knowledge, prophecy (2 Peter 1:20-21); Discernment of Spirits; Tongues (Acts 2-4) Interpretation of Tongues; Healing (Acts 2:43) Miracles (Acts 2:43).
St. Paul wrote in Timothy 2:8 "In every place, then, I want people to lift up their hands reverently in prayer". Raising our hands is a symbol of our surrender to God. Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands towards the Sanctuary and Bless the Lord". Psalms 117, 135 and many others tell us to Praise the Lord. So we lift our hands and offer verbal praise in obedience to the Word of God.
Singing in tongues is another form of praising the Lord that you may hear at the meeting. Everyone expresses praise and thanksgiving in different ways. Some will exercise the gift of praising God in tongues, others will praise Him in their natural language. Others will listen quietly. Everyone is encouraged to remain open to the Holy Spirit as they pray.
Meetings last about 90 minutes and are held every Friday at 7:30 p.m. A link to the meetings can be found on the home page of our website. All are welcome.
For more information, email Tom Caruso: [email protected]
Single Together is a social group for men and women ages 50 and over who are single for any reason. Meetings are usually held on the last Sunday of the month from 3 pm to 5 pm in the Murphy Faith Formation Center located below the Lady Chapel. Check the Sunday bulletin for more details or email [email protected]. All are welcome.