History
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is an Ecclesial `movement of spiritual renewal and transformation in the Catholic Church that emphasizes the need for each one to make a personal commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God the Father.
On Pentecost day, the Apostles received the Holy Spirit as we read in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4. This was in fulfillment of Jesus' promise in Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8. This great event marked the beginning of the Church into which that day about three thousand people repented and were baptized (Acts.2:41). This first community of believers, guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus in and beyond Jerusalem.
What we know today as Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is part of an ecumenical current of grace. It was born by the sovereign will of God in the Catholic Church in 1967 and emerged as a fruit of the second Vatican Council.
From Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February 1967, in Duquesne University Pennsylvania, USA, a University run by the Spiritan Fathers, about 30 students were on a weekend retreat at Ark of the Dove Retreat House. On Saturday, 18th February, 1967 they experienced great outpouring of the Holy Spirit which spread subsequently to other students and staff, and eventually gave birth to prayer groups and renewed exercise of charisms by individuals, weekly prayer meetings and spiritual retreats: seminars, conferences and evangelization crusades. This led to the spread, growth and consolidation of CCR in various continents, countries, dioceses and parishes.
However, this grace of the Holy Spirit with a worldwide character and many expressions is not a single unified movement like others. It does not have a founder or founding group but is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. It is a current of grace that allows individuals, groups, communities, activities and ministries to express themselves in different ways with different forms of organizations. One of the characteristics of CCR is the wide variety of expressions and ministries that form a unity in diversity. The various expressions and realities in CCR may be at different stages of development with differing emphases, nevertheless, they share in the same fundamental experience of 'baptism in the Holy Spirit'; and espouse the same general goals. In some places, CCR organizes itself like an ecclesial movement, but the very nature of CCR means we are different from other ecclesial movements. Indeed, Cardinal Leon-Joseph Suenens, who was appointed by Saint Pope Paul VI in 1974 as Episcopal advisor to CCR, quickly recognized what was happening as a 'current of grace'; inspired by the Holy Spirit for the whole Church. He said: "the Renewal is not a 'movement' in the usual sociological sense: it has neither founder nor statutes; it is not homogeneous; it includes a wide range of manifestations. It is a flow of grace, a renewing breath of the Holy Spirit, intended for all the members of the Church -lay people, religious, priests and bishops. It is a challenge to us all" (Cardinal Leon-Joseph Suenens).
Generally, CCR focuses on relationships and networks rather than rigid structures. Therefore, patterns of informal relationships can be found at local, diocesan, national and international levels. These relationships are often characterized by free association, dialogue and cooperation. Rev, Fr, Obeng Kyeremeh, Mr. Osei Asamoah, Mad. Augustina Bediako and Master Gyamfi.
In Techiman Parish, the CCR started in the year 1983 with about twenty (20) members. The following people brought the CCR to Techiman Parish: These members were taken through Life in the Spirit Seminar to officially initiate them into the CCR in 1983.
