Christian leadership is a calling. The Lord gives us a desire to serve him, and the Body of Christ recognizes in us the elements of character and the gifts (charisms) which qualify one to serve in leadership. Effectiveness comes first through our relationship and closeness with the Lord: As Jesus said, “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5). As one author has written, “Leadership is the act of influencing/serving others out of Christ’s interests in their lives so they accomplish God’s purposes for and through them.”

Author of the still relevant Celebrating a Charismatic Jubilee: A Fresh Look at Charismatic Renewal and the Charismatic Dimension of the Church will address how we are to live as charismatic Catholics especially in the face of those who say that the Renewal is not Catholic, not authentically in the Church. In order to be better able to serve the unity of the Renewal, unity within the Catholic Church and unity in the body of Christ – in this CHARIS new season – the speaker will equip participants with some important key understandings.

Recently, Pope Francis, commenting on Jesus’ words in Lk 12:49, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” said, “The fire of love, lit by Christ in the world through the Holy Spirit, is limitless, universal . . . Adherence to the fire of the love that Jesus brought to earth envelops our entire existence and requires adoration of God and also a willingness to serve others.” The speaker will share how the fire of God’s love has grown in him since he was baptized in the Holy Spirit nearly 50 years ago and how the Lord wants to ignite, re-ignite or strengthen that fire in you.

On more than one occasion Pope Francis has encouraged the Renewal (us) “to bring baptism in the Holy Spirit to the whole Church.” Why is baptism in the Holy Spirit a necessity, not a luxury for the Church today? In this “new season” the speaker will address how to have a fresh look at bringing baptism in the Spirit to the Church. What might this look like in our parishes and dioceses? What are we being asked to do by our Holy Father as individuals, couples, families – as a prayer group, as the Renewal in a particular diocese? The speaker will share from her experience as the Liaison in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Q&A and group discussion will follow.

In his first Apostolic Exploration, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis encouraged “all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day.” (#3) Later he writes that our joy should overflow as we become “Spirit-filled evangelizers. . . who pray and work. . . fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit.” (#262, 259)

The Lord gathered a number of disciples, spent time with them, loved them, encouraged them, corrected them and empowered them (us) with the Holy Spirit. We who have served as leaders in the Renewal for many years are called to call forth, raise up, love, teach, and correct others. How is this to be done? As one author has written, “The making of a leader is the making of a disciple, a follower, who has received life and a new heart and is inwardly growing in goodness . . . and who is coming to know who Jesus truly is, and is following him on his terms.” The speaker will share from his own experience of being raised up and of raising up others.

Individually and as a couple Dan and Caroline have been involved in the Renewal for many years and are cofounders of 2Tim4Ministries. They have five children. In their presentation they will speak about the Lordship of Jesus in their lives and families, the power of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness and reconciliation and serving one another in love. They will also address some of the challenges couples and families face in today’s culture (including the role children have in seeking unity).

Pope Francis has said, “The image of God isn’t news. But this is the beauty of marriage. They [the couple] are the image and likeness of God. And this is our news, the Christian news.” And earlier this year he said, “In the delicate situation of today’s world, the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman takes on an importance and an essential mission.”

“Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God.” (Col 3:16). As Pope Francis has noted, “The prayer of praise is a Christian prayer for all of us.” From the beginning of the Renewal it has been the “prayer of praise” that has overcome differences amongst Catholics and Christians of various streams. The speaker, founder of Adore Ministries and a gifted worship leader, will share insights from his personal life and ministry of the call to go deeper in our worship of our God who is Triune, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Author of the book, Holy Spirit 101, the speaker will present both biblical and theological foundations for the charisms and give practical points on how to open up to, exercise and grow in the charisms given by the Holy Spirit.

Three members of the NSC Council will share from their personal experiences insights of living as “missionary disciples” – a phrase coined by Pope Francis: “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the people of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt. 28:19).” (Evangelii Gaudium #120). The panel will then open up for some dialogue with the Workshop attendees.

Are you a Leader? Do you want to be a Leader? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this workshop is designed for you. Come, and be challenged to grow into a Servant Leader just like Jesus! Jesus tells us, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant” (Mt 20:26-27). “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13:14-15). Anyone who wishes to lead must first follow Christ and then follow His lead. Have no doubt, “Servant Leadership” is integral to our call to holiness. Join us as we learn to lead like Jesus, exploring the characteristics of Leaders, nurturing potential Leaders, and uncovering the charism aspects of Leadership!

The ecumenical vision of Vatican II was realized in a surprising way by the emergence of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis reminds the Renewal that we are ecumenical from our origin and by our very nature. He is calling us to a renewed mission of unity in service to all Christians. In this workshop, we will review the Catholic vision of ecumenism and consider the special way in which charismatic renewal serves that vision. We will learn from Pope Francis (both his words and his example) practical ways to move forward in this ecumenical mission. Workshop attendees will walk away with a renewed ecumenical vision that is authentically Catholic and fully charismatic along with some practical steps to start implementing that vision right away.

In St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians we read, “All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (3:18) Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) on holiness that, Only on the basis of God’s gift, freely accepted and humbly received, can we cooperate by our own efforts in our progressive transformation. We must first belong to God, offering ourselves to him who was there first, and entrusting to him our abilities, our efforts, our struggle against evil and our creativity, so that his free gift may grow and develop within us: “I appeal to you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom 12:1). For that matter, the Church has always taught that charity alone makes growth in the life of grace possible, for “if I do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Cor 13:2). (#56)

This workshop will be a practical session for both beginners and those experienced in prayer ministry. Healy will share biblical and patristic foundations for healing ministry in the Church, and explain how to pray over people for healing with expectant faith.

As one author put it, “Using social media to witness to Christ, and hopefully, to evangelize in his name, starts by treating social media as an end in itself, not just as a means to an end.” He then quotes Pope Francis, who in his 2016 message for World Communications Day, alluded to this: “Emails, text messages, social network and chats can also be fully human forms of communication. It is not technology that determines whether or not communication is authentic, but rather the human heart and our capacity to use wisely the means at our disposal.” The speaker is part owner of a print publishing company and has been involved in youth ministry for over twenty years. He uses social media as a means of evangelization and not just as a platform to advertise events.