About CCRNO
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What is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?
The Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) is an expression of the Catholic Charismatic Movement which began in the Catholic Church in February 1967 when a group of college students from Duquesne University made a retreat at the Ark and the Dove Retreat House outside Pittsburgh. On this retreat God acted sovereignly, poured out His Spirit on the students, and began giving them charismatic gifts such as those listed in l Corinthians 12-14.
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Baptism inthe Holy Spirit
Central to the experience of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is what is known as “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” This is not viewed as some kind of “eighth sacrament” but rather as a renewal in the Holy Spirit already received in Baptism and Confirmation. Many Catholic charismatics testify to a greater sense of the presence and love of God, a greater taste for prayer and Scripture reading, a desire to witness to others and the experience of one or more of the charismatic gifts already referred to.
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CCRNO is an office of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
In 1969, under the leadership of Fr. Harold F. Cohen, S.J., the Charismatic Renewal ministry became formalized. CCRNO sponsors weekly, monthly and annual events designed to promote the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the lives of Catholics throughout the Gulf South and beyond. Al and Patti Mansfield served as liaisons for the local Charismatic Renewal from 1995 to 2020. In January 2021, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond named Deacon Larry Oney as Executive Director of CCRNO. Deacon Larry and his wife Andi gracefully led CCRNO through a period of transition, ultimately ushering the organization throught the pandemic. In August of 2021, Deacon Larry and Andi handed leadership of CCRNO over to Timmy McCaffery, who currently serves as Executive Director.
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WHAT THE POPES HAVE SAID ABOUT THE CHARISMATIC RENEWAL
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The Charismatic Renewal has been warmly welcomed and supported in the Church by each of our popes, beginning with Pope Paul VI and continuing currently with Pope Francis. Pope Paul addressed some 10,000 Catholic charismatics in St. Peter’s Basilica in May 1975 and called the Charismatic Renewal a “chance”, an “opportunity” for the Church and the world. Pope John Paul II met with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and their leaders on numerous occasions. At an audience in May 1987, Pope John Paul said, “The Charismatic Renewal is an eloquent manifestation of the continued youthful vitality of the Church today, a bold statement of what ‘the Spirit is saying to the Churches’ (Rev. 2:7) as we approach the close of the Second Millennium.” Pope Benedict said, “Christ’s entire mission is summed up in this: to baptize us in the Holy Spirit” (January 13, 2008). Pope Benedict also said, “Let us rediscover…the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit” (May 11, 2008). Pope Francis exhorted, “Share with all in the Church the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit” (June 1, 2014).
Directors of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) in Rome meet regularly with the Holy Father to keep him abreast of the movement’s progress. Many bishops and priests are active participants in the Charismatic Renewal.
The National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal also represents the Renewal to the hierarchy in the United States and promotes Baptism in the Spirit nationally through the efforts at Chariscenter, USA.
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Local Office
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The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans operates an office at the St. Benilde Parish Center, 1901 Division Street,
(504) 828-1368, open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This office sponsors a Weekly Prayer Meeting held at St. Benilde Parish Church, 1901 Division Street in Metairie at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Also offered at the CCRNO Prayer Meeting at St. Benilde is an eight-week course called the Life in the Spirit Seminar. Those who attend are led to a deeper commitment to Christ and receive prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit (“Baptism in the Holy Spirit”). Please check with the CCRNO office about upcoming events.CCRNO also sponsors a Weekly Prayer Meeting for Teens and Young Adults every Sunday at Archbishop Rummel High School, in the Rummel Raider Room, 7:30 p.m. Mass is offered the last Sunday of the month (check Facebook to confirm).
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Prayer Meetings in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Catholic Charismatic prayer meetings began in New Orleans in May 1969 by Fr. Harold F. Cohen, S.J. CCRNO developed from this initial group. Currently there are approximately 22 groups in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Some groups meet during the day while others meet at night. A typical prayer meeting includes singing, spontaneous prayer and praise of God, reading from Scripture, personal testimony, and exercise of the charismatic gifts, especially tongues and prophecy.
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