"He is risen!   The Lord is risen indeed!!!"

 

 

Letter to the DSC from the Bishop's Liaison:

 January, 2010

Happy New Year DSC,

As we usher in a New Year, it is important to take a few moments to reflect on the past year and look forward with a renewed focus on the Charismatic Renewal of Memphis in the year ahead.

I think you will agree that 2009 has been a year of opportunities. Your efforts continued to focus on growing the Renewal, building communication between prayer groups and participating in the Charismatic experience around the Memphis diocese wherever and whenever possible. You also jointly promoted excellent Mass opportunities throughout the year at various parishes. I know for a fact that our presence was felt. This is a tremendous outcome given some of the challenges we faced, such as our lack of sufficient funding and the busy schedules we all have which impacts our available time to plan and coordinate various events.

For all these reasons and more, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you. I especially appreciate your dedication and commitment to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Memphis Diocese (CCRMD). Because of the Diocesan Service Committee's (DSC) great efforts, Carlene, Assistant Liaison, along with your help coordinated a number of events last year that would not have otherwise, been possible. She also did a great job of keeping us in the know of NSC activities as well as various events in our region that we needed to know about for our own personal development. Joe Solaas, our Secretary and very talented musician, provided the excellent minutes and prayerful music so vital to our centering efforts from month to month. Laurie Solaas, our Communications Chair, very willingly handled the details of getting out the word as did Lorie Diaz, Treasurer, the details of financial reporting. Mike Yarbrough, Activities Chair, offered his expertise to make sure our programs were properly coordinated and executed as planned. Last but not least is Suzanne Johnson, our Advisor, with her insights and personal dedication to the work of the Renewal here in Memphis. A special thanks to each of you for the prayers that you hold close to your hearts for our continuing effectiveness as an outreach for the Holy Spirit. Together, we faced numerous challenges throughout the year. your dedication and loyalty have not gone unnoticed.

Looking ahead, it is clear that 2010 will present its own set of challenges and opportunities. We will need to host the Association of Diocesan Liaisons (ADL) in 2012 which means much ground work must take place during this year. I also see continued opportunities to expand and grow the Renewal here in Memphis, with greater use of available internet technology.

I am praying that your continued dedication will maintain positive momentum as we keep three things in mind throughout 2010:

  1. WE MUST CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN OUR PRAYER LIFE
    This is the single most important contribution you can make – we all share in this.
  2. WE MUST MAINTAIN A SENSE OF MISSION
    The DSC is dedicated to identifying new opportunities for prayer and education and assisting and coordinating the continuing efforts of the prayer groups. Your contributions were greatly appreciated in 2009 and I am particularly pleased that as we enter the new year, we begin to encourage more vigorously core programs coming from our prayer groups.
  3. WE MUST CONTINUE ENHANCING OUR CCRMD NETWORK
    We must re-position ourselves to be more service oriented to our prayer groups. Also, our network must extend to geographic pockets of opportunity and we must continue to ensure that the Renewal is visibly present in the diocese throughout the year. This will require an investment of prayer, time and effort, but these efforts will pay off in the long term.

Once again, thank you for your leadership and dedication. I wish you and yours a happy and for blessed New Year.

In the Spirit,

Werner Rose

Deacon

Liaison to the Bishop