Parish Secretary, Jean Brown, mother of seven. - 'What is Renewal?'
What is Renewal?
an awakening.
a new perspective.
I lived in fear.
Fear of making mistakes.
Fear of being involved.
Fear of God as a punisher.
I tied myself in a pretzel emotionally while I was praying.
I was doing my duty as a Catholic.
I had an attitude of self sufficience.
Doing 'duty' to neighbors.
Don't get involved!
Worry and fear immobilized me!
I was self centered.
I lost friends due to anti-social behavior.
I pre-judged people.
I was not aware of anything wrong!
The beginning of my spiritual awakening came through a Protestant woman, whose life was based on the certainty that what was given away would be replaced by God.
Twelve years ago, I came to Saint Gerard's.
I joined CFM. (Christian Family Movement)
CFM almost blew my faith out of me!
This was due to my rigidity of belief in the Baltimore Catechism.
I lost the meaning of life, and my hope!
I fought for almost two years. I felt I might have to leave the Church to hang onto Jesus!
I promised myself that I would not come back to CFM, but The Holy Spirit kept drawing me back!
My faith began to emerge as my own!
Jesus became my Friend, and Brother...
I stopped fearing God!
I began trying out new prayer forms, and I read new religious literature.
I realized, we don't have to defend God against scientific truth!
I now felt alive, with new revelations! All the faiths were there, now with new facets!
I now trust God!
Faith isn't faith, if it isn't chosen!
God is being revealed to us every day!
Love, pure and simple, from the Father, channeled through Jesus and CFM.
I began to realize what Love is in CFM!
I made Cursillo!
I had excitement in finding Him in others!
I could share their joys, and sorrows!
I had made a complete about-face in my attitude!
I discovered that I could trust other Christian Communities, simply through Christianity!
Reading the Word of God in new translations is an unlimited joy!
My appreciation of Liturgy was broadened and deepened!
Let's remember that it's us, not God, that demands perfection in Liturgy!
God can be all things to all people!
Let's be grateful that in our day, the number of ways to praise God has increased!
Jesus tells us not to be afraid!
Too often, we put our limitations on our Christianity!
We must remove these conditions.
Surrendering ourselves to others and God's will is humbling!
If we have not Love, we have nothing!
Reaching out to people is joyous!
It's great when our feelings coincide with God's Will, but they don't always!
Renewal is an ongoing process!
If we stand still, we will go backwards!
Prayer and reading!
In Jesus, there is always more!