Today, June 9^th 2019 is special for many reasons.  Pentecost is not only the birthday of the Church but it also marks the founding of CHARIS.
 
 As founding members of the Catholic Fraternity we are all aware of the history whereby recent popes have invested to protect and nurture the growth of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  This was especially evident with the formation of the Catholic Fraternity that canonically recognized member communities and helped them develop stronger relationships with local bishops.  The time has come however to turn the page on the Catholic Fraternity and move into a new chapter.  Now, at Pentecost, the Holy See is establishing CHARIS under the Dicastery for Family, Laity and Life.  Unlike the Catholic Fraternity, CHARIS will not be an organization with members but rather a service entity to serve the worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
 
 CHARIS is coming into being at the specific request of Pope Francis in an effort to eliminate some of the challenges that had developed within the Catholic Fraternity but most importantly to unify the Catholic Fraternity (who supported the Catholic Charismatic Communities) and ICCRS (who supported all other expressions of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal).  The Catholic Fraternity, ICCRS and its associated National Service Committees have for several decades worked independently to serve the Renewal.  Now, with CHARIS, there is one WW service organization to support the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  CHARIS will operate much like ICCRS and the NSC did in that they were a service and support organization connecting and supporting all expressions of the Renewal.
 
 With the formation of CHARIS the Holy Father is able to speak directly to those blessed by the Renewal and provide direction regarding its mission.  Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and his desire that all blessed by the Renewal work together to bring the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to the whole Church, specifically all Christians.  Other specific challenges given CHARIS are to work in the mission of evangelization, the service to the poor, and the communion of all Christians.  Pope Francis’ belief is that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the key to enabling us to be successful in these missions.
 
 Since CHARIS is a service organization and will not have members, many of the organizational structures and organization meetings that were required for the Catholic Fraternity will not be required for CHARIS.  CHARIS will eventually have international, continental and national structures that will enable communication, fellowship and service.  The relationships that developed amongst the leaders of the Catholic Fraternity bore much fruit and we are working to find a way to ensure that it continues.
 
 What does this mean for the Christian Community of God’s Delight?  A US National Service of Communion will be erected as CHARIS’ efforts to serve in the US.  In addition the leaders of our Community, Alleluia and City of the Lord are working together to initiate an informal association of North American Covenant Communities to ensure we will have an avenue to continue the fellowship the leaders of the Catholic Fraternity have thus far enjoyed.  Our responsibility is to honor the mission that our Holy Father has given us.  Let’s work individually and collectively to bring the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to all Christians, to serve the poor and to bring love and unity to unite the Church.  Please pray that CHARIS will fulfill the call of the Holy Spirit and that Pope Francis’ desires for CHARIS will be fully realized.
 
 More information can be found on the Vatican Website:

http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/news/2019/entra-in-azione-charis--il-servizio-unico-internazionale-al-rinn.html
 
 God Bless,
 David Peterman (Jr.)

                                Please click below for CHARIS related documents
               
                    Birth of CHARIS and Importance of Renewal - Cardinal Farrell
                   
                    Greetings to the Holy Father - Father Jean Luc Moens

                    Pope Francis address to CHARIS participants

                    Returning Power to God - Father Raniero Cantalamessa