On May 16, the Spanish Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., celebrated the vigil of the Solemnity Pentecost early and also the revitalization of this already active spiritual movement. The celebration took place during a Mass at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J. a week early to fit Bishop Sweeney’s schedule. He was the was the main celebrant and homilist of the Spanish Mass.
During the Renewal’s annual Pentecost Vigil Mass, Bishop Sweeney blessed the eight new members of the movement’s board of officers. At one point in the liturgy, members of 16 of the 18 parish prayer groups of the Renewal approached the bishop, holding banners of their respective faith communities, as he blessed them. Nearly 800 people attended.
The Renewal also introduced leaders of its new bilingual Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the liturgy. The new outreach is part of Renewal’s ministry expansion, including Women of Worship, Men of Worship, and Hospitality.
Teresa Amparo, the Renewal’s general coordinator, who was blessed during the Mass, called the movement a “ministry of prayer, intercession, praise, and unity as a strong community.”
The Renewal holds a monthly assembly on third Sundays from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at former St. Therese Parish School in Paterson, N.J., and also organizes retreats and other social and religious events throughout the year.
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Four priests concelebrated the May 16 Mass: Father Yasid Salas, pastor of St. Therese Parish in Paterson and diocesan director of the Renewal; Father Starli J. Castanos, a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson; Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Randolph, N.J., and director of the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation; and Father Paddy O’Donovan, a retired diocesan priest.
A dance group from St. Therese and three musical ensembles also participated.
“During the Mass, people were touched by God, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and found healing as they sang and prayed together, guided by Jesus’ love,” Amparo said.
