If you’re yearning to fully embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and experience God’s presence in a more personal and powerful way, Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is for you. CCR fosters a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, empowering believers to live life to its fullest.
By Mary Zobec
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) has been a spiritual presence in the Diocese of Sandhurst for 52 years. Emphasising the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, CCR fosters a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, empowering believers to live life to its fullest.
CCR is part of the CHARIS Family and started in the 1960s and has since spread globally. There are thousands of prayer groups and ministries worldwide, including four in our Diocese, supported by an international office in Rome.
The main idea behind CCR is that Catholics can have a more vibrant, direct relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, just like the early Christians did in the Bible. In simpler terms, it focuses on inviting the Holy Spirit to work actively in people’s lives, helping them feel closer to God and empowering them to live out their faith more passionately.
Pope Francis has praised CCR as a “current of grace,” underscoring its identity as a grace-filled movement within the Church. CCR celebrates God’s goodness and freely given grace, guiding participants to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This experience is central to the Catholic faith, rooted in the empowerment of Jesus' followers to live and share God’s love.
In our Diocese, active prayer groups in Kyabram, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga meet regularly, and CCR hosts renewal days at St Brendan’s in Shepparton, featuring guest speakers for teaching and fellowship. These gatherings bring together participants from across the Sandhurst Diocese.
Catholic Charismatic Renewal groups aim to encourage personal spiritual growth, and assist people to pray more deeply, read Scripture and open themselves to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like the original Church, the groups build strong communities of people who support each other in their faith journey. In our Diocese, four active prayer groups meet regularly, and CCR hosts renewal days at St Brendan’s in Shepparton, featuring guest speakers for teaching and fellowship.
These gatherings bring together participants from across the Sandhurst Diocese, creating a strong sense of community and shared faith as people come together to deepen their relationship with God and each other. Through these events, participants are encouraged to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit, experience personal spiritual renewal, and be empowered to live out their faith more fully.
In the Sandhurst Diocese, CCR is excited to welcome Fr Arun Korlakanti as our new Spiritual Chaplain. Fr Arun, who recently arrived from India, looks forward to sharing his knowledge of the Charismatic Renewal. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr Joe Taylor VG for his many years of dedicated leadership and guidance in the CCR community of Sandhurst.
Installation of Fr Arun Korlakanti as Spiritual Chaplain of CCR Sandhurst
29 March at St Brendan's, Shepparton
11:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by BIshop Shane Mackinlay preceded by Praise and Worship at 11:15 a.m.
Lunch at the Mons Peter Jeffrey Centre and a talk by Fr Arun will follow. Please bring a plate to share.
ALL WELCOME!
Charis is a Greek word that means "grace". It has multiple meanings and uses, including a name, a goddess, a biblical term, and a Christian denomination.
Mary Zobec is the Pastoral Associate at Kyabram Parish.
