The Charismatic Catholic

John Michael Talbot is considered one of the main leaders of the early Charismatic Catholic movement, an author, and a world renowned Catholic Musician. He also founded The Brothers and Sisters of Charity in 1980 - a Catholic-ish community of celibate brothers and sisters, singles who can marry, and families that live as a monastic and domestic spiritual family in separate cloisters at the Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, AR. He is also the host of a television program, All Things Are Possible, which is in its 2nd Season on The Church Channel. 

Since its birth in 1967, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has been a part of at least 100 million peoples' lives in over 238 countries. The Pentecost, otherwise known as baptism of the Holy Spirit, is the foundation of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Many Archdioceses have Charismatic Liaisons and Renewal Centers designated by their Archbishops. The NM Santa Fe Archdiocese has a Charismatic Center at 1412 5th St. NW in Albuquerque with a monthly healing mass and various events.  

I attended the John Michael Talbot Retreat for Oblates and Friends at Pecos Benedictine Monastery.  

An Oblate is a lay individual who has taken an oath to dedicate him or herself to the Monastery by sharing in the monastic life while living in the secular world. This includes visits, retreats, daily prayers, as well as volunteering at the monastery and contributing in other ways. They play an important role as a means of support and extended community for a Monastery. Oblates are standard to most Monastic Communities, both Catholic and Protestant. 

The retreat I attended was 2 full days with 2 half days. It was a diverse group of participants from all over the United States, mostly Catholic but a few protestants. John Michael was the only speaker during the retreat. He combined charismatic preaching with soulful singing of Christian music. During the music, he would often have the group rise up and joyfully sing along in the praise of God. 

John Michael talked about the Joy of the Gospel. He said the joy of The Lord is unlocked when you forgive. Lack of Forgiveness binds up a person or community and they can drown in bitterness. He encouraged us to let go of your worldly concerns and give them to God. He talked about Practice and how it is learning to see Christ in everyone, bringing the divine into the ordinary. He talked about the process of people surrendering their life to God and compared it to the hulling of wheat. He said when God cuts us down, he will do more with us than we could ever do on our own. He spent much of the time explaining the Liturgy, Monastic Life, Oblates, and other Catholic Theology - it was very interesting to hear and learn. He emphasized vibrancy in all of your practices and to breathe life into the Liturgy because, Jesus will always show up in the Eucharist.  

"Theology without a personal relationship with Jesus is Vanity" - JMT

These were just a few of the insightful things he shared with us. It was a completely amazing experience. I recommend to anyone, regardless of their denominational affiliation, to go and hear John Michael Talbot speak. 

All things are possible for the one who has faith. ~ Mark 9:23

THANK YOU John Michael Talbot for sharing such a great and amazing experience with us! 

Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene is located in every state in the U.S. and in over 157 world areas. It has a very strong emphasis on missions, with over 600 missionaries worldwide. Church of the Nazarene emerged from the Pentecostal and Methodist faith, with a belief in Entire Sanctification. It a protestant church of the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition that was founded in 1907 as the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. The church dropped the name 'Pentecostal' due to "the modern Pentecostal tongues movement."

Holiday Park Church of the Nazarene calls itself a Life-Saving Station. Their mission states they, "pull men and women from the wreckage of sin and offer them new life and hope through Jesus Christ."

I attended the Holiday Park Church's 10:45 am Sunday service. They have a substantial group of Pakistani congregants, so they also have an Urdu Service at 7 pm on Sunday Evenings.

They started out with musical worship, then Pastor Michael Johnson gave his sermon. He referred to the members as Beloveds. The sermon was about Solomon and his fall from Wisdom to Folly. The minister gave congregants a Formula to Avoid Disaster:

A. Don't allow a little Wiggle Room 1 Kings 3:1-3
    There is no such thing as partial commitment. Bolster your Humility and Banish your Arrogance. 
B. Don't ever think that you can be the exception Deuteronomy 17:14-20
    Keep a close relationship with God. Do not take liberties in God's love. 

The Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” Deuteronomy 17:14

C. Deal with your weaknesses 1 Kings 11:1-8 
    Deal with the issues of your own lives, so that you do not perpetuate them on the generations to come. Glorify and be content with the Blessings you receive, do not always crave fro more or greater ones. 
D. Embrace correction 1 Kings 9:1-9
    Have a heart open to correction. 

"THERE ARE NO EXCEPTION CLAUSES IN DEVOTION"

Afterwards, they passed out communion to everyone as they remained seated. The bread appeared to be flatbread or Naan. There was a group prayer and then people took the sacraments. The services concluded with a send off prayer.

Several people greeted and welcomed me. 

THANK YOU Holiday Park Church of the Nazarene for sharing your service with me. 

Anglican Taizé Eucharist

The Anglican Church began in the 6th century in England, when Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to Britain to disciple to the Anglo-Saxons. This mission, often called the Gregorian Mission, lead to the foundation of the Church of England and the eventual separation from the Roman Catholic Church. There is no central authority for the Anglican Church, instead churches are unified by tradition, belief, and agreement. 

Taizé is an ecumenical form of worship that incorporates song, prayer, and silence to foster a peaceful and calming atmosphere and facilitate a meditative worship. Taizé originated during World War II, in Taizé France first as worship for those trying to hide and flee from the war. It later developed into a monastic brotherhood that used a simplistic and unique worship style, that survives today.  

Many Christian churches worldwide are integrating services of the Taizé tradition into the normal services they offer their congregants. The Church of the Holy Faith offers a Taizé service on Tuesdays, it is a Catholic style liturgy with Holy Eucharist. I attended their 6pm Tuesday Taizé Eucharist service.

The Church of the Holy Faith was founded in 1863 in Santa Fe. They believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Sacraments, and the Authority of Scripture. It is officially an Episcopal Church but is more conservative and closer to an Anglican Church in its Anglo-Catholic rituals and use of the Book of Common Prayer. I found the service to be very much along the lines of a Catholic service except women were part of the ministerial team and everyone was welcome for communion. 

WORD MADE FLESH

Reverend James Brzezinski and Dean Peggy Patterson led the services. There were moments of meditative silence throughout the service as well as singing meditation, short hymns that were repeated several times. There was not really a sermon, just some readings and Dean Patterson spoke to us that we all have an anointed vocation in this life. 

For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

Then they performed the laying on of hands and lighting of the candles. Everyone at the service went up to the altar and were anointed with oil and given healing prayers by the ministerial team. After each person left the altar, they lite a candle. Then the Holy Eucharist was offered to the members. It was a very unique service that had a certain tranquility about it, I can see why Taizé services are growing in popularity. In a World seemingly filled with increasing chaos, a peaceful service of worship can be very restoring.  

THANK YOU Church of the Holy Faith for showing me your unique Taizé service.

Blue Mass

Red Mass has been a tradition with the Catholic Church since the thirteenth century. The tradition honors St. Thomas More, the patron Saint of the legal profession. It was named Red Mass because,  "lawyers and judges would proceed into a church clothed in red garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice."

Red Masses are still a tradition in most large cities, but there has not been one in New Mexico for years. In 2010, NM Judicial Advisory Opinion No. 10-09 deemed Red Mass a religious activity and prohibited a judge from using his official position to promote such an event.

Blue Mass came about in the same fashion as Red Mass but to pray for members of a different profession - Police Officers. The first Blue Mass was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Washington DC in 1934. It has since been expanded to honor all First Responders ~ Police Officers, Firefighters, Military, Correction... 

Blue Mass was adopted as a tradition by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe many years ago. This year, I attended their Seventh Annual Blue Mass at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque. 



11:50 The law enforcement animals were blessed 
12:00 Catholic Mass in the gymnasium

The service started with a memorial video of all the fallen warriors from New Mexico over the last few decades. It was sad to see so many military and police personnel who have died in the line of duty. 

Archbishop Michael Sheehan presided over the services.

LORD BLESS THE PEACEKEEPERS

The main mass was Catholic and included the Liturgy and Communion. Archbishop Sheenan praised the first responders for risking their lives for others and prayed for the safety and protection of those who protect our community from harm. He advised those in careers in public service, to fulfill the Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37. 

The bishop blessed coins that were later given out to attendees. Those that weren't Catholic could receive a blessing in lieu of Communion.  After Communion, Chaplains from the different disciplines gave their unique blessings. A member of the Navajo Code Talking Assoc. recited the Marine Corps Hymn in Navajo which was a touching thing to watch. The service concluded with taps and Amazing Grace. 

It was quite an impressive event - Very touching to have a tradition to Bless our Public Safety personnel and to show them support in such a meaningful way.

THANK YOU to everyone who makes this wonderful event happen every year. 

Faith Lutheran Church

The Lutheran church was founded rather unintentionally in 1517 by the German Monk, Martin Luther. In an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, he published 95 Theses in protest to the practice of indulgences. Instead of serving as an inspiration for reform in the church, it led to his excommunication. Despite threats to his life, he continued his studies and teachings which turned into Lutheranism. 

One of the largest and oldest denominations of Protestant Christianity. Lutherans number over 70 million worldwide, According to the Lutheran World Federation.

I did not realize this but there are actually many different types of Lutheran churches. There are Evangelical ELCA, Missouri Synoid LCMS, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ  LCMC, and possibly even more. LCMC is a very small denomination of the Lutheran Faith with only 820 congregations worldwide. 


I attended Faith Lutheran's 5pm Saturday service. Their sanctuary is very spectacular and bright with expansive high windows that allow the Sandias to watch over during service. 

Faith Lutheran is a member of the LCMC and teaches the Lutheran themes of "grace alone, faith alone, word alone and Christ alone." 

Holy Communion is only conducted on the first Sunday of each month but is done so as an "open table" - all Christians who truly repent of their sins are welcome to join in receiving the Lord's Supper.

The service started with a prayer and then greetings - I have to say I love when churches have members greet each other during the service - adds a great warmth to the whole situation. 

SHINE their performance youth group performed a skit that illustrated how modern trappings such as hobbies or gaming can put a distance between you and Jesus. They did a fabulous job and showed great talent and pride in their faith. 

The sermon was based on Romans 12. Associate Pastor Jerry Watts spoke to the congregation of being mindful of that which truly rules your life. Are we allowing ourselves to be distracted by the modern conveniences and amusements of daily life? Rather than allowing external influences to guide our lives we should allow the Eternal to transform our lives ~ He encouraged us to let the Glory of God be brought out into our lives and shape our passions. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind

~ Romans 12:2

Saved by grace through faith - Pastor Watts

Note: Because of the gorgeous sanctuary and view - it also seems to be a popular place for weddings. 

THANK YOU Faith Lutheran for sharing your worship service with me. 

New Year's Eve in Unity

I attended the 7 pm Burning Bowl Ceremony at Unity Spiritual Center of Albuquerque. 

Unity is a spiritual organization that came about during the New Thought Movement of the late 1880's. The founders, Myrtle and Charles Filmore, attributed prayer and positive thought to the healing of illnesses that they both had. Unity as a faith believe in positive, practical Christianity and, "teach the effective daily application of the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ." 

Unity is most well known for their belief in the Power of Prayer: 

       

       Affirmative prayer is the highest form of creative thought. It includes

               the release of counterproductive, negative thoughts, as well as holding in mind 

               statements of spiritual truth. Through meditation, we experience the presence 

              of God. Prayer and meditation heighten our awareness and thereby transform 

              our lives. (Unity.org)

Their national organization runs the well known publication Daily Word and the 24 hour prayer line Silent Unity. 

Unity does not believe in original sin. They believe people are inherently good because we are, "created in the image and likeness of God, and as such we are originally blessed."

The Albuquerque Unity Church has a pastoral couple, Reverends Ross and Jude Campbell. 

Rev. Ross started the service with a prayer about the "boundless riches of God," inspired by Ephesians 3:8.

They had a pianist and a soloist. The congregation greeted each other and they advised the packed house that chaplains were available for anyone with prayer needs after the service. Rev. Jude gave a brief sermon about the New Year. She spoke of rather than making a New Year resolution, make a New Year intention. She spoke of tonight's ceremony as a ritual of release, bless the past year without making any judgements and let it go to pave the way for our new intentions.

♥♥Let Go and Let God♥♥

Every person was given a small piece of "flash" paper. We were instructed to write an aspect of our life that we wanted to release. We then each went up to bowls that had a flame and threw the papers into the bowls as a purging ceremony. While people were composing their papers, Rev. Ross conducted a guided meditation. He spoke affirming words and encouraged people to forgive in the New Year - not only others, but also themselves. 

After the ceremony, everyone wrote a letter to themselves. A letter about your intentions for 2014, what you wanted to draw to you, or whatever you would like really. The letters were collected, they will be prayed over throughout the year, and sometime after Thanksgiving the church will mail them back to the recipient. 

The musicians performed some more songs, people rose up singing and clapping, a few even danced. The service was concluded with a prayer and song while everyone held hands. Fellowship followed the service. What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year. 

The Unities are an eclectic and energetic group that are joyously striving to live a Christ conscious life. 

THANK YOU 

Unity Spiritual Center for letting me participate in your renewal service.

HAPPY NEW YEAR