Message from Bishop Barthol Barretto
Five years ago, when I was ordained Bishop, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias besides other responsibilities, entrusted the Cells and Lay Associations in the Archdiocese to me. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), of which I am the Ecclesiastical Advisor, was one of them.
At the outset, I realized that the CCR-Mumbai is well structured and organized, having more than 150 Parish-based Prayer Groups in different languages, each having their own Spiritual Guides, many of whom I have personally met over the years. The CCR in Mumbai has always been guided by Lay leaders and ably shepherded by Spiritual Directors like (late) Fr Roland Fialho, Fr Michael D’Cunha and now two joint Advisors, Deacons Inacin and Everest (English), Fr Nelson Saldahna (Konkani), Fr Marshal Lopes (Hindi-Marathi), and Fr M. Gabriel (Tamil).
Time flies. Now that the CCR in India is in its 50th year, I feel an immense sense of gratitude to God for showering His blessings on the Renewal all these years. The Vision statement of the CCR in Mumbai is very close to my heart, that is – “Renewing the Families of every Parish in Mumbai”. In this Golden Year, the CCR-Mumbai has been inspired to have as their Mission Statement, “Walk in Christ, Be Rooted and Built in Him through Formation, Mentoring and Witnessing”.
This statement speaks volumes as to where the Renewal is heading. The commitment, dedication and the enthusiasm of the Lay leaders of the various Language Councils, the Parish Prayer Group Coordinators and their Core Teams is greatly edifying and bears great witness in moving towards the mission
statement.
The Golden Jubilee was flagged off on January 26, 2020, with the Eucharist celebrated by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias followed by a Fellowship meal initiating a 1000-day countdown. The Mumbai CCR has organized a number of Spiritual Programmes such as Retreats, Seminars, Youth Training programmes, etc. as part of this landmark year.
I pray that the CCR-Mumbai through the Holy Spirit will continue to be a Current of Grace in the Archdiocese of Bombay so that the Church becomes a bright Beacon of Christ’s presence in the years to come.