“YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES”
There is one fear that unites almost everyone in our parishes – the thought of talking to someone about our faith! It’s easy to make many excuses for not doing so, maintaining that our actions speak louder than words. It’s true that we should witness through the way we live, but it’s also vital that we follow St Peter’s advice: “if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Pet 3:15)
On November 23rd there is an opportunity to participate in a free mini-retreat morning that will explore in more depth why and how we can be effective witnesses through sharing our own testimonies. This meeting on Zoom, “YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES – giving your testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit” is hosted by “ADoRE” one of the longest-running charismatic days of renewal in the country.
“The key to overcoming our fear and our inadequacy in witnessing,” says the retreat organiser Alastair Emblem, “is to understand fully what Jesus said to his followers immediately before he told them to be his witnesses: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.’ The purpose of this and all ADoRE retreats is to encourage participants to open their hearts to the action of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us and gives us the courage and ability to carry out God’s commands.”
The retreat includes Mass, Adoration, Praise and Worship, inspired Teaching and Prayer for all participants to foster the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. It is the conclusion of the 2024 ADoRE programme developing our understanding and appreciation of how we are to respond to God’s call to holiness; co-operating with the Holy Spirit as He transforms our lives so that we can be inspired and equipped to help others.
The main talk is given by Allegra Mutanda, Director of Evangelisation and Leadership at St Peter’s Winchester, where she is helping the parish fulfil its vision of bringing people closer to Jesus Christ in hope and joy.
The free retreat morning takes place on Zoom from 10.00am to 1.00pm and advance registration is required. Please register at bit.ly/ADORENOV2024 More information at www.altonrenewal.com
People from all over the country (and beyond) have been joining the ADoRE mini-retreat Zoom mornings over the last four years and thoroughly enjoying them. Here is what two recent participants said about ADoRE:
“The whole experience of the meeting is very comforting and keeps me feeling alive and well in the Spirit.”
“I genuinely feel that these meetings help me to change my life.”
ADoRE (Alton Day of Renewal) is a monthly meeting of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Formed in 1975, it is now one of the longest continually running Charismatic Days of Renewal in Britain, dedicated to the encouragement of a personal relationship with God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is affiliated with CHARIS, an international body established by Pope Francis in 2019 to support all those working to share the current of grace which is the charismatic renewal. “Charismatic Renewal is a great force at the service of the proclamation of the Gospel, in the joy of the Holy Spirit.” – Pope Francis June 2014
We hope and pray that you can attend and can also forward this email and the attached poster to publicise the event.
Alastair Emblem
Core Group Leader,
ADoRE
“These are the signs that will be associated with believers” Mark 16:17
