‘Pentecost is the permanent “climate” of the Church’

By Catherine Sheehan

On Pentecost eve, 23 May, the ‘upper room’ of the Cathedral centre in Hobart was full to capacity with people praying for the Holy Spirit to enter more profoundly into their lives, their communities, and their Church.

This was the annual statewide Charismatic Gathering organised by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Tasmania in collaboration with CHARIS Australia.

It was a time of praise and worship, fellowship and sharing of testimonies of the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit is not merely something God once gave to the Church,” said Archbishop Tony Ireland, keynote speaker at the gathering.

“The Holy Spirit is God still breathing life into the Church now—in Tasmania, in our parishes, in our prayer groups, in our homes, and in the restless depths of the human heart.

Archbishop Tony encouraged those present to be hopeful for the future, saying that despite the fact we live in a world “exhausted by noise, division, anxiety, loneliness and war”, the Holy Spirit was still active.

“Tasmania itself can sometimes feel spiritually fragile,” he said. “We know well that we live in one of the least religious parts of Australia.

“Yet Pentecost reminds us that Christianity was born not in a confident world but in a frightened room.

“The Spirit has not put his feet up nor is he on the pension.

“Sometimes Catholics speak as though Pentecost were a finished event. But Pentecost is not finished. Pentecost is the permanent ‘climate’ of the Church.”

The charismatic renewal movement served a valuable purpose of reminding others in the Church of what it means to be a Christian, Archbishop Tony said.

“And many of you gathered here this afternoon know personally the transforming power of the Spirit. You know what it is to pray deeply. You know what it is to encounter the love of God not merely as doctrine but as fire in the heart. You know what it is to discover the gifts of the Spirit alive within the Church.

“The charismatic renewal has often reminded the wider Church of something essential: Christianity is not simply adherence to principles. It is life in the Spirit.”

Kingston parishioner Di van Tienen, who led the praise and worship music, said the gathering was “filled with blessings”.

“The message from Archbishop Tony emphasised the essential role of the Holy Spirit and not only encouraged us but inspired us to continue to use our Charismatic gifts not only within our parish but in our wider communities,” she said.

Organiser of the Pentecost Gathering, Sean Werapermall said many spiritual fruits had been produced by the day.

“It was uplifting to see many open their hearts in worship, share their testimonies and to meet new people from different parishes, including some who travelled very far from the north,” Sean said.

“That level of commitment and participation was truly inspiring.

“It was also very encouraging to see many praying in the Spirit, exercising their gifts and demonstrating such a strong desire for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit.”