UPDATES
on
Healing Ministry
and
Training Sessions

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is not possible for me to put into words the warm welcome that I have received since my arrival at CCSM; you truly are the family of God!

Healing Ministry: The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ is alive & well in the Catholic Diocese of Montreal, and we thank God for it, and for John Vienneau, whose faithful determination & persistence were instrumental in encouraging Father Thomas Dowd to get involved. Though John has been called home to the Father, we feel that he is still interceding for us from on High. Since December, there have been four Eucharistic Celebrations with Healing Prayer. We have been offered the Sacraments of The Anointing of the Sick & Reconciliation, as well as the ministry of Prayer Teams, the Rosary, & Music Worship. What a blessing to see God ministering to His people in such a beautiful way! At St. Luke’s Parish on November 24th, Father Roger Martineau led us in the Celebration of the Eucharist with The Healing of the Family Tree. Then on January 27th, Father Placido Macarine was Celebrant at St. Kevin’s. Our next Celebration was on March 10th at St. Edmund of Canterbury, with Monseigneur Sean Harty as Celebrant & Father Pat Donnelly as Concelebrant. As I write this, we are now looking forward to April 28th, when Father Raymond Lafontaine will have been our Celebrant at St. Monica’s in NDG. Please join me in giving Praise & Thanksgiving to God, for raising up for us Father Thomas Dowd as Liaison for the Diocese for the Revival of the Healing Ministry, & also for Father Michael McKenna, whose faithful & steadfast presence has been particularly encouraging in the area of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A special prayer of Thanksgiving for our priests & deacons, for our Music Worship Leaders, for our Prayer Teams, & for all those who quietly & tirelessly serve the Lord in this CCSM ministry of Christian healing, for their faithfulness & for their love of God’s people.

Training Sessions: My cup runneth over. On February 12th, there was a beautiful Induction Service held at St. Luke’s for those presently following the Training for the International Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL), as well as for several Full Members who had completed their Training; Father Alan Perry & Father Thomas Dowd presided. Kayla, the nine-year old daughter of one of our Full Inductees, sang a sweet rendition to God of, Let us Build the City of God. Indeed. On April 5th, a second Induction was held at St. Barnabas for two more study members, Father Alan Perry presiding; it was an intimate & Peace-filled little gathering. Since the fall of 2005, three groups, fourteen members in all, have been meeting in our home, to carefully study all the Gospel records of the Healing Ministry of Jesus. Once our study is complete, another Induction Service will be scheduled. Those who have completed their reading & study requirements will be inducted as Full Members of the Order; new students will be inducted as Associate Members; and Father Thomas Dowd & Father Michael McKenna will be inducted as Full Chaplains. In closing, I would like to invite you to pray about joining me in Sept to take a closer look at The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ. As written on the front cover of OSL’s Initial Study Project:

A Few Words on the
Life in the Spirit Seminar
held at St. David's Parish
by Gerry MacKay

Firstly, I would like to wish a very Happy Easter to all our readers. Hal asked me to write a few words on the Life in the Spirit Seminar held at St. David's Parish recently. We finished the seven weeks on the 6th of April. Our Seminar was a great success! On the English side, we had 42 persons attend the opening session. On the French side, we had 60 persons attend the opening session. As the weeks went on, the numbers dropped by about 8-10%, remaining steady.

Father Francis McKee, Pastor of St. David's, opened with an introduction which was well received by all participants. Effie Cordeiro followed the second week with a lovely teaching on "The Personal Love of the Father"; she also gave a witness. Brian Cordeiro followed the third week with the topic of "The Gift of Salvation". Sandra Dunn, a young newly married mother-to-be (Norm Cousineau's wife) gave a sincere witness from the heart. Deacon Gerry Foley gave the teaching and the witness the following week, being the fourth week, on "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit". He said: "When the Holy Spirit is released in you, you will begin to experience a new kind of life." Gerry called on his great experience, and I am sure he helped those in attendance to get to know more about the Holy Spirit and how we should allow Him to grow within us.

Father Francis, our Pastor, followed on the fifth week with his topic "How to welcome the Work of the Holy Spirit". It was at the urging of Father Francis that we have this Life in the Spirit here at St. David's. We are so blessed to have such a dedicated Priest in our midst. Norm Cousineau, another young parishioner, gave the witness. He really touched the hearts of those in attendance.

The sixth week was "The Baptism in the Spirit" in the Church where both the French and English members were prayed over. We had eight persons who laid hands on. It was a memorable service with appropriate music in the background.

On the seventh week, Brian Cordeiro gave the teaching on: "How to Live as a Disciple". A fine piece of work by Brian, whose love of God comes from his heart and he shares it with everyone. Tom Bagg, a one-time member of CCSM, gave the witness - a wonderful experience of God's Love was explained.

Gerry MacKay
CCSM Librarian

REMEMBER THIS WAS THE 'CORNER'
FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II'S
GENERAL AND MISSION INTENTIONS -
WELL IT STILL IS FOR 2006

CCSM FEBRUARY 3-4-5, 2006

ANNUAL RETREAT WAS

FABULOUS!

Even though it has been several months since our Annual Retreat, I, Hal Horwood, is happy to say that I think that this was the best retreat CCSM ever had! From the moment of arrival at the Villa St-Martin, Pierrefonds, our Blessed Lord showered each of the fifty-three people present, with blessings.

Our Retreat Master was Father Jeffrey Shannon of the Companions of the Cross, Ottawa. This young priest was pure delight - a gentle, humble, wholesome and Spirit-filled man of God. It was wonderful and totally refreshing to learn that such a person even exists! Father Jeff prepared well for his weekend with us, holding all in prayer since last August, when he agreed to "take us on!"

The theme for the weekend was "MY SACRED HEART: SOURCE OF ALL HEALING". In each of his talks, Father presented a different and beautiful aspect of Christ's Healing Love for us.

All aspects of the weekend could not have run more smoothly! The staff at the Villa was most helpful; the meals were excellent; the winter weather co-operated; the music was inspiring under the leadership of Lorraine Pecus; all our retreatants journeyed in a spirit of the greatest peace and cooperation.

This year, we decided to share our traditional Sunday "Love Offering" with the Pakistani earthquake victims of the Kashmir region who were suffering from extreme winter conditions. The collection netted over $1,000.

LSSW a SMASH HIT

The Life in the Spirit Seminar Weekend organized by the Servants of the Lord Prayer Group drew a capacity crowd. The parish hall at St. John Fisher Church was full to capacity. Many who waited till the last minute to register were (sadly) unable to attend.

This event was unusual in that all the presenters were members of the local Ordinary. Bishop Anthony Mancini took time out from his busy schedule to participate. He talked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and prayed over all the participants. Other presenters were Father Patrick Donnelly, Father Tom Dowd, Father Roger Martineau, Father Paul Sauvé, Father Michael Tauro, and Father Lou Cerulli. Lorraine Pecus and Noel Morahan provided the music. The atmosphere was a reminiscent of the Praise Assemblies in the good old days!

Everyone who attended was given a Cross of the Renewal lapel pin. This emblem has been adopted as the symbol of the Charismatic Renewal worldwide. It is hoped that one day, everyone who has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, will wear this symbol as a witness to the Power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

SO AS TO OPEN OURSELVES, TO LEARN AND BENEFIT FROM THIS VERY SPECIAL TEACHING, LET US APPLY FOR THE CD'S WHICH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO US ON REQUEST...HAVING, OF COURSE, THE BOOK OF GLORY (OUR HOLY BIBLE) CLOSE AT HAND.

P E N T E C O S T Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

Pentecost is a word meaning fiftieth. It was the name of the Jewish harvest festival on the fiftieth day after Passover. The rites, prescribed by Levitcus (23:15-21) consist mainly offering the first fruits of the harvest to God. This festival attracted a great influx of pilgrims from the Diaspora, that is, from Jewish communities scattered throughout the Roman world. Hence, when the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, went out and fearlessly testified to the risen Christ, 3,000 pilgrims from all over the Roman world were converted. Thus the Holy Spirit endowed the Church of Christ on Pentecost Day with a catholic, or universal character. These 3,000 people the first fruits of the new life brought to the world by the risen Christ.
ABC Catechism by J.W. Mole, O.M.I.

LORD,
source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Mary's Message, March 25, 2006:

"Courage little children! I decided to lead you on the way of holiness. Renounce sin and set out the way of salvation the way which my son has chosen. Through each of your tribulations and sufferings God will find the way of joy for you. Therefore, little children, pray. We are close to you with our love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

LET US BOW OUR HEADS
IN PRAYER...
for the Catholic Church; for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, his bishops and priests, deacons and religious, the laity;
for CCSM - so that members will come forward;
for the Prayer Line in CCSM;
for families; for the protection of children during the summer;
for the sick, lonely, elderly, unemployed, those suffering the loss of a dear one;
for vocations to the priesthood and religious life;
for all peoples in war-torn countries - for the hunger stricken.
for the Souls in Purgatory, may they rest in peace. Amen.

Appreciation for Fr. Jeff's Ministry

Hi Father John! Just wanted to express my appreciation for helping to arrange for Fr. Jeff Shannon to come and lead our retreat here in Montreal this past February 4-6th. It was one marvellous weekend, the graces from which continue to flow! This was the third time I handled all the arrangements. All three have been good weekends but this one was particularly peaceful, beautiful and special...I am very grateful! There were 53 of us in all. The theme was "My Sacred Heart: Source of All Healing" and Our Lord touched every soul in a powerful manner, especially during the Saturday night healing service. I am sure you know what a treasure God gave the Companions when he formed Father Jeff. It was refreshing (to say the least ) to encounter such a gentle, calm, humble man of God. Perhaps I'm a tad jealous? I'm 58 but it makes one think back and long for what might have been, should have been? Thank you again, and would you kindly say "hello" to Father Francis Donnelly for me. He was a part of my "might have been". Thank you again -
Hal Horwood, Chairman, Catholic Charismatic Services of Montreal.

This was taken from the
"COMPANIONS OF THE CROSS"
Spring 2006 Edition.