“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Siena

1

Theme & Prayer intention for the year: Live by the Spirit (Gal 5:16)

Welcome to the Group! We're so happy you joined. Our mission is to strive for the “Spread of His

fragrance” to everyone. “Hearts of Fire Prayer group has been well attended by 40 people on the

first meeting and continues with around 70% Parishioners and others were outsiders. Attendees

expressed that the meeting was a great way to move forward in Faith and obligation to draw

closer to God.

You'll find in the newsletters a variety of articles by the core team and members. Do join us

every Friday at 7.30pm in the church.

Prayer ministry is also available for those who would like prayers. We will also be having a monthly adoration and

confessions, seminars and retreats. you will greatly benefit from our discussion groups, teachings and scripture reflections.

We have a diverse group and want everyone to feel welcomed and completely safe. Our core team consists of the

following servant leaders; if you have any concerns please get in touch with them.

The Core Team consists of the following servant leaders; we look forward to meeting you.

Charlie & Sandra Gatt Ignatius & Caroline Simoes Anson Pereira Noelyn Fitzgerald

Charismatics remember you are the current of grace in the church-Do not be afraid, my spirit is with you! - St. John Paul

Supernatural Seeds Sprouting Forth!

We often hear words of prophecy and then forget about them. The word that was given before the Jubilee Cross began its

journey was that as the Cross moved it would plough the ground and that supernatural seeds would be sown that the Holy

Spirit would cause to grow. Well, the first seeds are sprouting! Praise God!

St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Caroline Springs hosted the Jubilee Cross in its movement across the western region of

Melbourne. St. Catherine’s was a parish that did not have a Charismatic prayer Group yet welcomed the Jubilee Cross with

open arms. Through the visit of the Jubilee Cross many hearts and lives were touched by the Cross and by prayers for healing.

Many blessings were received at that time and they have continued to flow in the wake of personal encounters and

experience. Such blessings have given rise to the establishment of a new Charismatic prayer Group as part of the parish

ministries. This new group; “Hearts on Fire”, was launched in the church on Friday evening 9th Feb.2018.

The Holy Spirit has caused these seeds to grow and we are certain that the blessings will continue as Caroline Springs burns

brightly for Jesus.

“Reprinted by permission from CCR”

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom 8:14)

Issue No.2 – March 2018

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Siena

2

How can we live the Theme of the Year (Gal5:16) We all say we have faith, but we may not be living like we do, so it’s a challenge for us this year, because the

Word of God says Faith without action is useless. And God sends a lot of opportunities where we can exercise

our faith and live it. Here are some tips on how to live by the Spirit.

Recognize what the acts of the sinful nature are: "Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; Idolatry and witchcraft; Hatred,

discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; Drunkenness, orgies, and the like." (Galatians

5:19,20). If we put to death all of these acts of our sinful nature we will live by the Spirit, but the choice is ours. We can chose

to walk in the flesh or in the Spirit as Christians.

Understand that "those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:21) Jesus said that "you shall know

them by their fruits." we will live differently. We will live out the fruit of the spirit rather than the misdeed of our flesh.

Recognize the Fruit of the Spirit: "The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Patience, Faithfulness, Joy, Kindness, Gentleness, Peace,

Goodness, and Self Control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:23)

Living by the Spirit will produce the Fruit of the Spirit. "Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians

5:25). This means that we should seek to walk in these fruits in all that we do in life and in every situation.

QUIZ CORNER - Lenten Quiz - Tick ( √) the right answer

1. Where did the first Passover take place?

(a) Jerusalem (b) Egypt (c) Nazareth (d) Upper room

2. Which Gospel does not mention the Last Supper?

(a) Mathew (b) Mark (c) Luke (d) John

3. When Pilate found no guilt in Jesus, for what reason did the Jews say that Jesus should die?

(a) He claimed to be of

heaven

(b) He said he would destroy

the temple of God

(c) He claimed to be

their King

(d) He claimed to be

the Son of God

4. Which gospel does not mention about Simon of Cyrene

(a) Mathew (2) Mark (c) Luke (d) John

5. According to the Gospel of Mathew who was the high priest Jesus first led away to?

(a) Annas (b) Vitellius (c) Caiaphas (d) Josephus

6. Which is the only gospel that says Simon, a Cyrenian, “was the father of Alexander and Rufus".

(a) Mathew (2) Mark (c) Luke (d) John

7. Which is not a name for the place Jesus was crucified?

(a) Calvary (b) Golgotha (c) Gethsemane (d) The Skull

8. According to the Gospel of Mathew, what time of day did Jesus die on the cross?

(a) Noon (sixth hour) (b) 3pm (ninth hour) (c) 6pm (twelfth hour) (d) 9pm (fifteenth hour)

9.Which Prophet prophesied “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his

head, a price set by some of the Israelites, and they paid it out for the potter’s field": which even today is called

"the Field of Blood "

(a) Isaiah (b) Jeremiah (c) Hosea (d) Joel

10. How many days are there in Lent?

11. What do we call the day before Lent begins?

12. What colour vestments does the priest wear during Lent?

13. What prayer of the Mass is omitted during Lent?

14. On what days are Catholics required to fast during Lent?

15. What food was traditionally eaten the day before Lent begins?

16. On what Sunday during Lent does the priest bless palms?

17. What event in the life of Jesus do the palms recall for us?

18. How many Stations of the Cross are there?

19. How many times does Jesus fall in the Stations?

20. What is the Tridium?

[The answers are at the end of the newsletter.]

Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Siena

3

“THE CALL OF A LIFETIME”

As we walk through life’s journey, what can be greater and more inspiring than to receive a call from

a lifelong friend whom you have grown to love through faith but have really never met? One such call came to me through an

infusion of the Holy Spirit while attending the Charismatic Renewal Conference in Melbourne during January 2005. On the

final day, three separate encounters with the Holy Spirit effectively changed my life.

During a presentation which centered on the Holy Father’s call to global evangelization, I was moved by the nature of the task.

Quietly I said to the Lord, “Lord, I can do that, use me as You will”. Much to my amazement, my total surrender and “yes” to

the call must have been in line with God’s plan for my future direction. Within four months I was privileged to be among forty-

two fellow Christians from sixteen countries heading for Rome to attend the first ICCRS International Institute for Catholic

Charismatic Leadership Formation course. The course itself was quite extensive and much focused on the Holy Spirit. It covered

a broad range of teaching by tracking the Holy Spirit from the early Church to Vatican II and into the 21st Century, including

study of the associated references both in the Old and New Testaments, Acts, Gospels and Letters. The theology of Baptism in

the Holy Spirit and the Charisms were also included together with practical experience in the application of the Spiritual Gifts

and their impact on the lives of recipients and those whom they serve.

The history, nature and vision of Charismatic Renewal, together with the magisterium and role of International Catholic

Charismatic Renewal Services, now based in the Vatican, was a significant feature of the course. The news of the proposed

establishment of five ICCRS branches around the world was an exciting sign of acceptance, growth and maturity for the

Charismatic Renewal globally. Other course highlights included pilgrimages to sacred sites, an audience with the Holy Father,

then Pope Benedict XVI, visits to the administrative heart of the Holy See and, visits to the various exclusive areas of the

Vatican and access to key Leaders of the Church with frank and open discussions on topical issues within today’s Church,

Christianity in general and, the broader world community.

Of particular spiritual interest was our private Mass in the exclusive chapel alongside the tomb of Pope John Paul II and ten

metres away from the Relics of St. Peter; the visit to the prison cell which held Saints Peter and Paul just prior to their

martyrdom and, the visit to the Coliseum to reflect on the strength of faith of the lost souls martyred on that site.

From the outset, the common bond and energetic fellowship quickly formed us into a new global Community of Servants

within the Charismatic Renewal. During the devotional times throughout the course, we experienced regular and dynamic

outpouring of Charisms and Gifts from the Holy Spirit, with each encounter leaving us in a state of oneness with the Lord and

each other. It was clear through these experiences that God’s plan for our future direction and Mission was being divinely

chartered for each of us and raising us closer towards ecclesial maturity.

Our time together was highly emotional, uplifting and spiritual. The numerous encounters we experienced together with the

exposure of the inner heart of the wider Church, complimented our learning and added a deeper meaning to our sense of

mission, leadership formation and evangelistic discipleship. In context, the course was something like a pre-tasting of the joys

and peace of the ecclesial delights of heaven that are prepared for us beyond this life.

At the conclusion of the course, Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, (now Cardinal Rylko) President of the Pontifical Council for the

Laity addressed us by saying; “This course has not been a private thing for each of you, but a gift from God for the good of the

universal Church. Each of you has answered the call to deepen your formation in Christ in a mature way. We must all remember

that each gift carries it own peculiar responsibility and usually involves a task.

Your location of learning, within view of St. Peter’s Basilica, represents and important link between you and the Successor of

St. Peter. As you prepare to leave Rome, your task is about to commence. As empowered disciples, go out into the world and

share your renewed treasures of learning and experience. Specifically, be fruitful by spreading your testimonies for the good of

humanity according to the Spirit”.

My call to Rome was the most humble and unforgettable spiritual experience of my life. Never in my wildest dreams, did I ever

imagine that I would be so privileged and honored to be called and blessed with such a Mission. My life has since changed

completely giving me much joy in sharing with others.

My amazing experiences have confirmed for me beyond doubt that Charismatic Renewal is a powerful gift of unity and

diversity of charisms for today’s Church and a strong sign of hope for all, driven by the Holy Spirit. I firmly believe that the

same graces and blessings from the gift of a personal Pentecost also awaits those who are prepared and open to saying “yes”

to the Lord’s call.

(Charlie Gatt ~ July 2005)

God speaks to those who take time to listen

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Siena

4

ANSWER TO LAST MONTH’S QUIZ (30 books from the bible in these paragraphs)

This is AMOSt reMARKable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to HonoluLU,

KEeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much that he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this

while fishing from his JOHN-boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banJO. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued

by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend, judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving that sHE BREWS a cup of tea to help her nervES. THERe will be some

names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fACT. Some people, however will soon find themselves in a JAM, ESpecially since the

books are not necessarily

capitalized. TRUTHfully, fROM ANSwers we get, we are forced to admiT IT USually takes a minister or scholar to see some of theM AT

THE Worst. Research has shown something in our GENES IS responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this

paragraph. During a recent fund-raising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta PHI-LEMONade booth set a new sales

record.

The local paper, the CHRONICLESurveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever

seen. As DANIEL HumaNA HUMbly puts it, “the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight.” THOSE Able to find all of

them will hear great LAMENTATIONS

from those who have to be shown. One REVELATION that may help is that books TIMOTHY and SAMUEL may occur without their

NUMBERS. Also, keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are norMAL. A CHIpper attitude will help you to comPETE

Really well against those who claim to

know the answers. Remember there is no need for a mad EXODUS, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurKING Somewhere in this

paragraph waiting to be found.

ANSWERS FOR THE LENTEN QUIZ

1) Egypt

2) John

3) He claimed to be the Son of God

4) John.

5) Caiaphas

6) Mark

7) Gethsemane

8) 3 PM (the ninth hour)

9) Jeremiah

10) Forty

11) Shrove Tues, Fat Tues, Mardi Gras

12) Purple

13) The Gloria

14) Ash Wednesday and Good Friday

15) Hot Cross Buns

16) Palm Sunday

17) The entrance into Jerusalem

18) Fourteen

19) Three

20) “Triduum” includes the three holiest days of the Church year

from sundown on Holy Thursday, through Good Friday and

Holy Saturday, to sundown on Easter Sunday.

Editorial Note:- This newsletter has been compiled by and is brought to you with the prayers and blessings of the prayer group.

If you would like to contribute with any article (snippets, jokes, short stories, quiz, please contact Caroline Simoes by email: carolineshirleysimoes@gmail.com. Articles should not be more than 250 words and can be snippets, jokes, short stories or quiz. Testimonies will be

uploaded on the parish website; read more on http://stcatherinecarolinesprings.org.au/hearts-on-fire-prayer-group.php