“We are called to live lives of holiness,” declared visiting United States-based Nigerian priest Fr Anthony Mario Ozele, the keynote speaker during last weekend’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal 15th National Conference. “We are called to be his image and likeness here on earth. So be holy here.”

“Call to Holiness” was the title of the talk delivered by Fr Ozele, who was also the key speaker at the 14th national conference in 2006. He told the thousands of Charismatic Catholics from the various vicariates – and a few visitors from the US, Belize and Grenada – that many have moved away from seeking holiness and the Christian way of life. 

He defined holiness in this way: “Holiness means belonging to God and becoming like God. Holiness is about shining, about others seeing God in you.”

He said ministry should not be confused with holiness, noting that someone cleaning the floor might be more holy than the person leading prayers. “Holiness begins in the heart and works outward. It affects your actions, your dress, the way you talk; it affects your lifestyle….”

Fr Ozele, who used bible verses and energised participants with his dynamic style of preaching, said to be holy meant living up to God’s standards. “God doesn’t lower his standard for anybody. If you and I don’t live up to that standard, the consequences are ours,” he stated.

He said that not long ago, people thought there was one standard for clergy and religious and another for laity. But, he added, there was only one standard Christians should live by, and that standard was set by Jesus Christ.

The three-day CCR conference was held at the roomy, air-conditioned Chaguaramas Hall, located on the third floor of the Chaguaramas Convention Centre. The conference celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and many participants wore commemorative red polo shirts.

Fr Moses conducts a workshop

The choir at CCR conference

Archbishop Edward Gilbert officially opened the conference Friday night, after National Service Team chairperson, Deborah de Rosia, welcomed participants. The archbishop spoke on the true meaning of freedom and joy, saying freedom was about seeking truth.

“The Church teaches objective truth and we witness to that,” he remarked, adding: “Freedom is having the ability to choose who your master will be – God or Satan, God or mammon, God or the secular.”

He said there was a three-step process to experiencing joy – looking forward to possessing that which brings joy, possessing what was desired, and appreciating what you now possessed.  He said the process could be applied to anything in life and suggested to all that it be applied in the context of the theme, “Rise up, Your yoke is broken, Receive the power”. 

Fr Ozele gave his first talk, “Your Yoke is Broken”, after the archbishop’s opening address and a video presentation on Pentecost.

Saturday began with Holy Mass celebrated by Carenage parish priest Fr Carlyle Guisseppi, while Sangre Grande parish priest Fr Ian Taylor conducted the healing service to close) Saturday’s proceedings. 

During the day, Seminary rector and head of the Liturgical Commission, Msgr Michael de Verteuil, delivered a talk titled “Rise up and be instruments of God’s love” in the post-lunch session.

Before the lunch break, a number of workshops were conducted in the hall and in other rooms at the Centre. the topics were “Obstacles to Faith”, “Understanding your Baptism”, “Breaking the Yoke of Violence”, “Intercession”, “Breaking the Yoke - for men only”, “Breaking the Yoke - for women only”, “Spiritual Warfare in the Neighbourhood” and “Evangelisation”.

While the adult programme was held in the main hall, young people had their programme on the ground floor. Grace Music Ministry led the praise and worship, while Marabella/Pointe-à-Pierre parish priest Fr Urban Hudlin, Fr Ozele and lay speaker Richard Dick gave talks. Time was also allotted for workshops: “Forming Relationships”, “Recognising the Call” and “Handling Peer Pressure”.

CCR pioneer Ursula “Babsie’ Bleasdell” delivered a presentation on Sunday morning titled “Repent and believe, receive the Holy Spirit”. Fr Ozele followed with his final talk – “God promises hope for the nations and life eternal”. 

A concelebrated Mass, with Archbishop Gilbert returning as chief celebrant and homilist, brought the conference to a close.  - RS

This year, Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) international celebrates its 40th anniversary while the local body celebrates its thirty-seventh. From Jan 5-7 the 15th National Conference was held at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre.

The theme “Rise up, your yoke is broken, receive the power and live” taken from Is 9:4, gave all speakers - Archbishop Edward Gilbert, Fr Anthony Ozele, Msgr Michael de Verteuil, and Ursula “Aunty Babsie” Bleasdell, the scope to prove, quoting from God’s Word, that righteousness (holiness) is an easy yoke and a light burden because Jesus paid the price for heavy burdens and yokes with his blood.

It is God’s desire for each person to be holy and to be instruments for building the Kingdom of God here on earth. Those living righteously will receive blessings, freedom and joy, and inherit the gift of eternal life. They will become strong and prosperous and the nation would be exalted.

The talks were interspersed with great music, marvellous praise and worship songs led by Kevin and Curtis Millien, Winston Garcia and Atherly Nicholas; poignant prophecies; prayers for the renewal; yoke-breaking intercession for the nation; workshops covering family life, the sacraments, evangelisation, intercession and youth issues.

Frs Ozele and Taylor ministered to the congregation in a touching healing service. Participants also had the opportunity to attend the sacrament of reconciliation with Fr Wilfred John – Spiritual Moderator of National CCR.

Rise up, your yoke is broken

Fr Ozele, the visiting, dynamic, holy man of God, spoke on the topic “Your Yoke is broken”. He said Jesus breaks yokes and gave many examples including, Luke4:31-37(demons); 17:11-18 (lepers) and 15:10-17 (woman bent over for 18 years).

Giving praise at CCR conference

Fr Ozele taught that, when Jesus died, He “paid in full” (Greek tetelestai) for each person’s life. But, he said, “we must be careful to obey God’s commandments and serve Him! Repent and God will make a way out.”

Everyone is a candidate for breaking yokes – e.g. Jairus’ daughter, Mary Magdalene, Bartimaeus, the thief on the cross and the centurion.

Fr Ozele continued, “Jesus came to take away the yoke of the Pharisees (Mt 11:28) and Jesus said, ‘Come to me all who labour and are weary and I will give you rest’.”

Father was emphatic, “Get rid of books, movies and objects of evil from your homes! If the Son frees you, you are free indeed! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Live in the righteousness of God’s children.”

Fr Ozele brought the thousand-strong congregation to its feet, as powerful, joyful shouts of “Tetelestai – paid in full” reverberated through the hall for all broken yokes of sin, abuse, poverty, violence, guilt, witchcraft and disease.

Conclusion

It was truly a wonderful, spirit-filled weekend when “the hungry” were filled with good things, for, besides all the high points of spiritual and physical healing, and teachings mentioned above there was still more for the faithful to enjoy.

The scenic ambience; delicious food; an abundance of life-giving religious books and tapes; historical video clips of the renewal since its inception and a dance depicting the unity of the ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago, presented by the Living Water Community.

Also contributing to a very celebratory and joyful weekend was the camaraderie among the faithful and a magnanimous 40th anniversary toast to Catholic Charismatic Renewal local and worldwide.

Sr Deborah de Rosia, Coordinator, Rose Hall of Grenada, the longest serving member of the Renewal’s Caribbean Service Team and Fr Ozele thanked and congratulated the pioneers on behalf of the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, Africa and other countries.

This was followed by ten year-old Shaquille Vincent, of San Juan Boys’ RC, a special prize winner, in the 2006 Gospelypso contest, serenading the congregation with his winning tune - Thank you Lord, as approximately 2000 participants sipped non-alcoholic wine, sang along and cheered, thanking God for His Holy Spirit through the Renewal.