Events
May 19, 2024 Pentecost Celebration
St. Augustine, So. SF
June 28-29, 2024 NCRC Annual Catholic Charismatic Conference
San Francisco, CA
September 21, 2024 SFSpirit Annual Holy Spirit Conference
St. Mary's Cathedral, SF - SAVE THE DATE!
Recorded Videos Holy Spirit Conference
Holy Spirit Conference Mass Celebrants
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco, CA
Left to Right:
Deacon Ernie von Emster: Assisting
Fr. Armando Lopez
Fr. Ray Reyes: Main Celebrant
Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
Fr. Ken Barker
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to all the re-elected Executive Officers of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Board of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for the year 2023-2026 led by Bro. Danny Garza (Chairman), Sis. Sally Yeo (Vice Chair), Sis. Tess Garza (Secretary), Bro. Jose dela Torre (Finance) and Bro. Romy Arellano (Treasurer).
We also would like to acknowledge and compliment all new members of the CCR Board as well. More work to do in the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ!
To God be the glory and praise.
Fruitful Corner
REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY,
MAY 9, 2024
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
THE MYSTERY OF “A LITTLE WHILE”
So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jn. 16:17-18
Our gospel reference today formed part of Jesus’ speaking to his disciples about leaving them in order to return to his Father and about coming again at the end of time to usher in the new age of God’s kingdom. The disciples could not understand what Jesus meant with the word “A little while”.
When they start asking each other the meaning of these words, Jesus explains to them the hardships they will have to face after his departure and the glorious reward waiting for them in his Second Coming. But as he had consoled them earlier, promising to send a Paraclete, now Jesus assures them that his absence is only temporary.
In using the word “A little while” Jesus was speaking about a three-level disappearance and reappearance. The first level is Jesus’ death and Resurrection. The apostles will no longer see Jesus when he dies. But they will see Jesus again in three days as their risen Lord.
The second level is the mystical level: They will lose sight of Jesus physically when he ascends to the glory of the Father. But they will see Him again in many ways by Faith when the Holy Spirit comes. The third level is when Jesus is not visible physically to the world but will manifest his glory to the whole world when he comes again in glory for the Last Judgment.
The confusion of the disciples shows they took Jesus seriously. They were not indifferent, they were interested, and wanted to understand. This showed they had some level of faith in Jesus. Otherwise, they would have ignored Him. But they didn’t. They listened, tried to understand, and discussed His teaching.
Jesus is not critical of their confusion. He sees that they are trying and that they have some level of faith. And even though these disciples are confused, Jesus continues to speak to them in figures of speech rather than clearly, because his message was profound and deep. Having faith is the only way to begin to understand them.
Faith does not mean you fully understand everything. Faith is a supernatural gift by which you come to believe without fully seeing and understanding. The certainty comes from God, not from your own reasoning ability. But faith always leads to deeper understanding.
If you find yourself confused about various matters of faith, God, morality, and the like, or if you find yourself confused about the various mysteries of life itself, or your life in particular, do not be afraid to admit to this confusion. Admitting confusion is the humble admittance of the truth, and this humility will be a helpful step toward the gift of faith.
Reflect, today, upon whether you struggle at all with indifference toward the mysteries of life. If so, commit yourself to be more like these disciples who intentionally grappled with all that Jesus spoke. Do not be afraid to admit your confusion and to place that confusion before our Lord. Strive to have the gift of faith and allow that spark of faith to become the pathway for your deeper understanding of the many mysteries of life.
Lord Jesus, You and all the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven are so deep and profound that no one will ever fully comprehend their depth, breadth, and beauty. Please open my mind, dear Lord, to a deeper understanding of You so that I may profess my faith in You and in all that You have chosen to reveal. I do believe, my God. Help my unbelief. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint of the Day
Mission Statement
As a lay organization, the mission of the Charismatic Renewal is:
- To help all people come to know the love of God in their lives as demonstrated through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
- To help our brothers and sisters respond to God's love by loving God in return through a commitment to serve Christ and His Church.
- To assist them to listen and follow the movement of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
- To help our brothers and sisters recognize the ministry that God has called them to, and accept the gifts that God desires to bestow upon them for His work in our Church and in our world.
- To lead them to a New Life offered to us by the Holy Spirit.
