Charismatic gifts are not a consumer product that we sell as one might sell an aromatic perfume. Rather they are gifts that the Holy Spirit freely gives and that we are invited to freely receive. We don’t need enough money or enough holiness in order to receive these gifts. We do need to be open and ready to receive. We do not receive these gifts for ourselves only but we receive them that in some way we may be in service to others and promote the reign of God.

Over the past years of the renewal of charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church many people have devoted many hours to promoting and nurturing these gifts. In recent years a variety of individuals have been honored at National Charismatic Leaders’ Conferences for their dedication and generosity of time in service to this Renewal.

This past November three such individuals were honored for their faithfulness and service.

               Rudy Pruden was honored for his over 17 years as a member of the National Service Committee. During some of these years he also served on the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Finance Committee. “At all levels you sought to bring practical wisdom, learned from many years of service in the Church and in government, and your prayerfulness, zeal and prophetic gifts to the many opportunities and challengers facing the Renewal.” “In all that you have done and continue to do you have sought to build bridges of understanding and to give voice to the hopes and dreams of those with no voice.”

            Fr. George Montague, S.M. was honored in this year of celebrating his fiftieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. His early involvement (1971) in Charismatic Renewal “was crucial in helping the Church embrace this movement at the very heart of the Church.” Fr. George was also recognized for his writing, “such as the important Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from the First Eight Centuries, to situate baptism in the Holy Spirit solidly in the Church’s understanding of Pentecost and pneumatology.” Along with Fr. Bob Hogan, who received the plaque in Fr. George’s absence, he founded a new charismatic religious community, the Brothers of the Beloved Disciple. Fr. George served on the National Service Committee for four years and as a theological consultant to the NSC for the last eighteen years.

              Aggie Neck, outgoing chairman (seven years) of the National Service Committee was also honored as “a prophetic voice both with the NSC and in the Renewal ever reminding us of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the power of living baptized in the Holy Spirit, and the challenge and opportunity we have to exercise the charisms of the Holy Spirit.” During these years the NSC has “sought to rearticulate its Vision and Mission so that we can more effectively provide leadership and service to the Renewal in the years to come.”

As Aggie completes ten years of service in January of 2009 we concur with this wish: “May the Holy Spirit continue to be the air you breathe and empower you in all that you do.”

As we reflect on the good works of Rudy, Fr. George and Aggie, we can reflect on our lives and ask the Holy Spirit to assist us in being faithful to giftedness and service. Thank you for all that you do to promote the reign of God.

© 2008 National Service Committee