The Ark and The Dove

The Ark and The Dove, Inc.
Home of Baptism in the Holy Spirit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Download a copy of this Press Release Here!

Renewal Purchases Site Where New Pentecost in Catholic Church Began

Gibsonia, PA, December 18, 2015 – The Ark and The Dove, Inc. today announced the purchase of the historic site of the “Duquesne Weekend” where nearly 50 years ago the Holy Spirit fell in power on a handful of Duquesne University students. Many in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and others baptized in the Holy Spirit trace their beginnings back to this event.

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household, said: “I cannot but rejoice over the decision…to buy The Ark and The Dove retreat house where the Catholic Charismatic Renewal had its first visible manifestation back in 1967. How we would be happy if we could purchase the Jerusalem Cenacle where the first Pentecost took place!” With Fr. Cantalamessa’s endorsement, “the humble place where the ‘new Pentecost’ in the Catholic Church began” has been purchased for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal worldwide “keeping the flame burning till it reaches the whole Church.”

Expounding on the vision of this historic purchase, Johnny Bertucci, Chairman of The Ark and The Dove, Inc., exclaimed: “In response to Pope Francis’ commission to the Renewal, in the hopes of unifying the many expressions of the Renewal, in anticipation of the Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of the Duquesne Weekend, to reclaim our historic site, to proclaim the love of God though His Son Jesus in the POWER of the Holy Spirit, The Ark and The Dove can be that rallying point for the Renewal worldwide.”

The four-fold usage of the facility will be as follows:

Pilgrimage Destination – for those baptized in the Holy Spirit and those interested in this grace.
Retreat Center – for spiritual renewal by the Holy Spirit for laity, clergy, and religious.
Resource Center – for those interested in understanding and fostering the charisms.
Praise and Worship Events – for days of renewal and empowerment.

Isaiah 54:2-3 inspires the vision of The Ark and The Dove: “Widen the space of your tent, extend the curtains of your home, do not hold back! Lengthen your ropes, make your tent-pegs firm, for you will burst out to right and to left, your race will dispossess the nations and repopulate deserted towns.”

Towards this end, we seek UNITY through a diverse worldwide board. We will engage the various streams, cultures, expressions, and others espousing baptism in the Holy Spirit to more effectively promote the New Evangelization. In keeping with Pope Francis’ charge for unity, we desire to come together to give testimony to the single current of grace while maintaining our individual charisms.

For further information, contact:
Johnny Bertucci, Chairman
The Ark and The Dove, Inc.
10745 Babcock Blvd. | Gibsonia, PA 15044 | (724) 444-8055
www.TheArkAndTheDoveWorldwide.org | johnny@TheArkAndTheDoveWorldwide.org

The website is up! You can follow The Ark and The Dove Worldwide on Facebook, on Twitter: @ark_dove, and on Google+. We have until October 20th to see if we can get enough participation to purchase the Ark & the Dove. Please share with your contacts! And if you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit please join us in prayer and give generously! Baptism is the Spirit is for the whole church! www.thearkandthedoveworldwide.org

(see below for an exciting message from Bishop Sam and the National Service Committee)

In February 1967, about 25 college students from Duquesne University attended a retreat at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center near Pittsburgh. It was on this retreat that the Holy Spirit fell in power. Today, we trace the beginnings of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal back to this historic event. Click here for testimonies from the Duquesne Weekend.

In January 2015, the NSC was notified that this retreat center, currently owned by the Sisters of Divine Providence and called Providence Villa, would be for sale.

Trusting in God’s providence, trusting that we stay in His will, we have begun the process of purchasing the property with expectations of joint ownership with other renewal groups. Our hope is to secure the property and reclaim its identity as The Ark and The Dove.

The Opportunity * Information Statement

Location – 16.5 wooded acres north of Pittsburgh, 10745 Babcock Blvd, Gibsonia, PA 15044

Buildings – 28-room main building (“Providence Villa”) + caretaker’s cottage (“Fern Hill”)

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In response to Pope Francis’ commission to the Renewal, in the hopes of unifying the many expressions of the Renewal, in anticipation of the Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of the Duquesne Weekend, to reclaim our historical site, to increase the visibility and identity of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, to proclaim the love of God though His Son Jesus in the POWER of the Holy Spirit, The Ark and The Dove can be that rallying point for the Renewal worldwide!

I am reminded of our vision:
“Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites all people to experience the Holy Spirit who opens us to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and the love of the Father. The Holy Spirit empowers us for personal holiness, renewed Catholic life, and evangelization.”

Bishop Sam Jacobs talks about the Ark and the Dove Retreat Center and the vision of the NSC to preserve this historic place for the future of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Join us in this leap of faith! Pray with us! Spread the word!

For more information on supporting this initiative, visit TheArkandTheDoveWorldwide.org or contact us at Johnny@TheArkandTheDoveWorldwide.org