Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, October 11, 2002 Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’ By Susan K. Virgalitte CANFIELD – The Catholic Church is going through a period of purification. Rather than be discouraged, Catholics should be anticipating that God is about to do wonderful things. This was the message that Peter Herbeck brought to the diocesan Charismatic Day of Renewal Sept. 29 at the Ursuline Center here. Herbeck is assistant director of Renewal Ministries, a lay organization dedicated to Catholic renewal and evangelization, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Day of Renewal is an annual event sponsored by the Youngstown Diocesan Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal. About 50 persons attended this year’s event, which consisted of talks by Herbeck; opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, videos, and quiet prayer; and a closing Mass. “This is a time when the whole Church is being tested in faithfulness,” Herbeck said. “Faith means that we depend on God so much that if he pulled away, we would fall on our faces. Faith is spelled ‘R.I.S.K.’ The faith that pleases God is a faith that can trust God no matter what.” Herbeck cited the example of Abraham who believed in God’s power to give him a son and make him “the father of a great nation” even though he was close to 100 years old and his wife was barren. Even when asked to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham still believed God was able to fulfill his promises, Herbeck said. That is the kind of faith the Church needs today, he said. “When people are filled with the conviction that God is able, we are not going to have a problem with finances or with ministries. We are going to fill our seminaries. The problems in the Church today [stem from] a deep crisis of discipleship, a crisis of faith, of abandoning ourselves to God and believing that God can produce fruit in a desert. We are being deeply tested right now.” Human beings today are in deep bondage and are attempting to escape their inner pain and to find consolation in things other than God, Herbeck said. “There is much darkness and confusion about who we are as people and why we are here. People pay millions and billions of dollars to other people to tell them why we are here. Don’t tell me the world isn’t in bondage. There is only one way out, and it is the Cross of Jesus Christ.” The Scriptures and the teaching of the Church can offer much wisdom about how one can live a holy life of faith, Herbeck said. That wisdom includes remembering that we will face God’s judgment someday, having a healthy fear of the Lord, and allowing the Christian community to help us in our struggles. “The Bible, in the book of Sirach [chapter 28, verse 6] says, ‘Remember your death. Remember your end, and you will not sin,’” Herbeck said. “One of the smartest things we can do is to think about the day we will die. It helps us understand that we are going to face God’s judgment. A lot of people are going to be sad and wonder why they did not prepare for that hour.” He went on to say that people think nothing of preparing for retirement or other contingencies of this life. There is nothing wrong with that, but they should also prepare for the end of this life. The Bible also recommends having a healthy fear of the Lord, Herbeck said. The book of Sirach, chapter 17, verse 20 says, “The fear of the Lord drives out sin.” “This is not a slavish fear,” he said. “It is a healthy sense of deep awe and respect for the majesty of God, like God is not to be fooled with. God is mighty and great – not just my pal.” The Church today needs a “significant dose” of the fear of the Lord, he said. A healthy fear of God will give us perspective, and it is the beginning of wisdom. Finally, Herbeck said, Scripture says to “live in the light.” He said that includes being open about our sins and struggles. Catholics have the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a tool in their struggle with sin and failures, but they also need to share their lives with other Christians. That means talking about their struggles and being accountable to a few close friends so they can overcome bad habits and daily temptations. “The devil wants us to live in darkness so we think we are the only ones struggling,” he said. He suggested that one of the best ways to overcome temptation and grow in holiness is to have two or three close friends with whom one can share and pray. Herbecksaid he has a small circle of “prayer partners” who meet often to share what is going on in their lives. “If I don’t get that help, I am going to be an easy target,” he said. “I don’t want to be one of those people who preaches well for years and then gets brought down and becomes a scandal to the Church.” Herbeck summed up his message by saying, “Don’t take the faith lightly. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t look at the weaknesses of others, but look at the love of the Father, who said he was serious about producing in you what he promised. The Church is being disciplined right now. Discipline is painful, but don’t worry. It will produce in you the peaceful fruit of righteousness if you allow it to.”   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001