Fr Ian Taylor has called for all seminarians to be baptised in the Holy Spirit before ordination.

He made the call in his presentation at the 31st National Rally of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) held last Sunday at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah.

The theme of the event was Revival Time and the atmosphere was one of hope, renewal and celebration. The rally featured dynamic speakers Frs Ian Taylor and Trevor Nathasingh. Deborah de Rosia was the host for the event and Winston Garcia directed the music ministry.

CCR members gathered to pray and give praise from early that morning, but the rally kicked off with 8.30 a.m. Mass, chief celebrant being Archbishop Edward Gilbert. Fr Wilfred John, spiritual director for the CCR, and Fr Ian Taylor concelebrated and visiting Deacon Steve Zehler assisted.

In his homily, Archbishop Gilbert asked the congregation to read Ezekiel 17, an excerpt of which made up the first reading. He said this Bible passage was relevant to us because it showed how God used people who obeyed the covenant to build his kingdom.

He said building the kingdom could be a challenge and that many people were discouraged by false expectations and because results were not immediate. Drawing reference to the two synod sessions of the Archdiocese in recent years, Archbishop Gilbert said while a number of activities have started, some of the plans have yet to be implemented.

He said it was all part of a process – much like the process described in the Bible passage – and that we could not impose our timetable on God. Yet, he added, imposing our timetable on God was something we did all the time - in prayer, in our expectations and in our planning.

He continued that modern society placed pressure on everyone to achieve within a deadline. Hope, confidence and patience were needed to give us a perspective that would lead us to persevere, he added.

Frs Wilfred John and Ian Taylor, Deacon Steve Zehler and Archbishop Edward Gilbert leave the altar with the umbrellas presented to them at the CCR rally. Desmond Durham photo

Archbishop Gilbert also stated that a new kingdom, neo-paganism, was trying to establish itself in the world.

Neo-pagan, secular values encouraged us to compromise our Catholic faith and values, he noted, adding that neo-paganism would have to be fought using our values, the principles of the gospel and by the community standing up for its faith.

He called for a reawakening of the Church through opening up ourselves on a regular basis to the power of the Spirit.

“Routine drains meaning out of life,” said the Archbishop, “and the people who win that battle are the people who explicitly reconnect with their faith on a profound and personal level on a regular basis, and it is the Spirit that enables you to do that.”

Archbishop Gilbert said after reconnecting, the Spirit also enabled us to reach out to others in a respectful way to lead them to the truth of the gospel. He thanked the CCR movement for reaching out to others and advised them not to get tired and impatient but to have confidence in the word of God.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, there were two performances. Michelle Gonsalves sang To God be the Glory, using her marvellous voice to give tribute and praise. Theresa Gobin, with backup help from some gentlemen from People of Praise, sang a song she composed in honour of Archbishop Edward Gilbert.

On hearing her song, the chorus of which was “Go your Grace, go your Grace, we will support you all the way”, Archbishop Gilbert seemed truly surprised and moved and responded by saying he would support us all the way as well.

The CCR rally took place on Fathers’ Day and the Archbishop, the priests and Deacon Zehler were later presented with umbrellas as Fathers’ Day gifts. Performances and presentations followed in tribute to all the fathers present. They were asked to assemble in front of the stage where Deborah de Rosia prayed with them.

Children who had been earlier designated were called forward to present all the fathers with gifts.

At 11.30 a.m. Fr Ian Taylor took the stage. He spoke about the beginnings of the Charismatic movement and how it has spread all around the world, calling it the most powerful movement the Catholic Church has ever experienced.

The Charismatic movement has taken the Church “by storm”, he said, adding that this was why the movement has also encountered a lot of resistance.

Fr Taylor said the Charismatic movement has brought a new wave of the Spirit into the Church – a new Pentecost. He remarked that the movement had a tremendous obligation to renew the Church, as the Catholic population in Trinidad and Tobago has been dropping steadily since 1980.

He noted that the early Church was a charismatic one and that the apostles received the Holy Spirit before being sent out to build the Church. drawing on this point, Fr Taylor called for all priests to be baptised in the Holy Spirit before being ordained: “No seminarian should be allowed to leave there unless they are baptised in the Holy Spirit.” He said it should not be a matter of personal preference but a matter of embracing God’s Spirit as a priest preaching in the name of God.

The attendance at the CCR rally was said to be smaller than in previous years, but it was still a good turnout. With the Grand Stand due for demolition there is a lot of uncertainty about where future CCR rallies will be held.

There is great optimism, however, that an appropriate venue will be found for next year and that the CCR rally will continue to renew and revive the Church as it has done for the past 31 years.
– CN reporters