Charismatic Catholics seek growth in Arkansas

Published: March 12, 2011

By Phyllis Hemann
Associate Editor

Leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal gather at Subiaco Abbey in February for a planning retreat to foster, organize and promote charismatic spirituality for Catholics in Arkansas.

Leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal gather at Subiaco Abbey in February for a planning retreat to foster, organize and promote charismatic spirituality for Catholics in Arkansas.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Arkansas is looking for ways grow the movement throughout the state.

“Our hope is to bring a growth in one’s faith, a deepening, an excitement about being Catholic. This is what we see in people who are part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal -- a joy and enthusiasm about living one’s faith,” Father Mark Stengel, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey said.

Leaders in the renewal are looking to provide more structure to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and focus their efforts on evangelism, leadership, service and spiritual formation.

“We want to see how charismatic groups can be of service -- either helping with existing programs or creating new ones where needed,” Father Stengel said.

A strategic planning retreat at Subiaco Abbey in February drew leaders from around the state to discuss what the future looks like for Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

“Those who’ve experienced the baptism in the Spirit, know it as a very positive and helpful experience. It is a way of relating to the Lord and to others that is renewing. Others in the state would profit from this experience too,” Father Stengel said.

Both Anglo and Hispanic leaders came to the retreat, to talk about what is working, how to organize more effectively and how to move the group forward for the future. They received advice from Father Bob Hogan of the National Charismatic Service Center.

Anglo charismatic prayer groups have seen little growth, and in some areas a decline in numbers participating. In contrast, the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic community is vital and growing in Arkansas, especially among the youth. Between 12 to 15 Hispanic charismatic prayer meetings meet regularly. The Hispanic community also offers a 10-month training program to prepare leaders.

“They have something that we definitely want. Their young people are coming in droves,” said Marion Hotz, a member of St. John Church in Russellville. “Can’t we jump on their bandwagon? It makes me want to learn Spanish, so I can participate.”

The need is just as great in the English-speaking community as it is in the Hispanic community.

“The Hispanic community is where we were 30 years ago when this spread like wildfire through communities. We want to revive that spirit in our community as well,” she said.

The Anglo community also has about 12 to 15 active prayer groups. While the number is similar to the Hispanic community, Father Stengel said there is no growth.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal currently holds the Arkansas Catholic Charismatic Conference in North Little Rock each summer, which sees a large number of people attending. At least one-third are newcomers, said Msgr. James Mancini of Little Rock, one of two diocesan liaisons for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

“We want to be more visible in Arkansas -- for Arkansans to fall more in love with God, Jesus. God is waiting for us to ask for more. He loves to give good gifts. As Catholics, we’ve been hesitant to ask and this will encourage us to ask,” Hotz said.

Several leaders met in April 2010 with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor about the state of the renewal and will present him with their plans in May.

The hope, Msgr. Mancini said, is to have a diocesan support team -- possibly creating a Spiritual Renewal Office or contact person to work with them and other similar ministries like Cursillo.

“Many parishes don’t have people using spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit gives voice to the prayer within us, and this is all about building up the Kingdom of God. This has been practiced one way or another since the early days of the Church, and we want to keep that dimension alive throughout the Church in Arkansas and worldwide,” Msgr. Mancini said.

After Hotz experienced her own “baptism in the Spirit” in the 1970s, she said she was overwhelmed with enthusiasm for her faith.

“I didn’t sleep at all that night. I sat up with the Bible and read with renewed passion,” she said.

She wants to share the joy it brings to her life and relationship with God to other Catholics who are searching for something else.

“It is a powerful way to meet Jesus, and our young people are going to other churches to do it,” she said.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the United States began after a retreat for faculty and students focusing on the Acts of the Apostles in February 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Catholic Charismatics praise and worship God with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that can include speaking in tongues, healing and miracles, similar to what happened at Pentecost. It’s about becoming closer to Jesus, Hotz said, and developing a more personal relationship with him.

“It is a very deep, spiritual encounter,” she said. “The baptism in the Spirit is the full release of the Holy Spirit that is already there in every baptized and confirmed Catholic, but we don’t know to even ask. It’s about stepping out in faith and saying that you want to do more. It’s also not about the gifts. It’s about the giver of the gifts.”

“Life in the Spirit” seminars are scheduled for Conway, Mena and Hot Springs to teach people about the Holy Spirit and charismatic spirituality.