The document provides an end of year reflection on the blessings and work of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Raleigh over the past year. It discusses how the Lord has given them a new voice to spread the Good News locally and throughout the Diocese through their website and newsletter. It encourages readers to trust in God's plans and surrender to Him, rather than relying on their own ways. It highlights how Charismatics can experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit and grow in their faith through listening to God.

1. The Diocese of Raleigh
Catholic CharismaticRenewal
The Flame
An End of Year Reflection
We have been very blessed this past year 2016.
The Lord has given us a new voice to reach out to our brothers and sisters both locally and to the farther reaches of our
Diocese through our website and newsletter 'The Flame'. He's given us the gift of projecting, amplifying and deliver-
ing the good news.
The Good News is the best news. It's both an old message and a new one. God sends us out into the world to deliver His
loving merciful invitation. We're bringing that message to both the world we're familiar with as well as trying to break
new ground, out of our comfort zone.
This message can be conveyed to those at our dinner table, those sitting across from us at a meeting, in our neighbor-
hood, on the bus or train. The invitation can be subtle and smooth or corny and obvious.
We want to let that person know they’re loved. That it's best to trust and surrender now rather than later to the Lord.
Stop making excuses and trying your own way first. It's like a mouse in a maze. We keep going the same way only to
come against a wall. Try a new way, His way. Our way is not the best and doesn't always work.
Only God knows how to make us whole and full to overflowing. The world may leave us wanting, disillusioned, disap-
pointed or bitter. Surrendering is the first step on our journey although many times we find ourselves back to square
one.
As we grow in our trust and faith we realize that God IS real. He is love personified. We discover that deep down inside.
The realization is an amazing journey of the heart, mind, and soul. Some of us fight it while others are so relieved that
the search is over and that God was with us all along.
But it's not over, the best is yet to come. It's similar to a courtship, many play hard to get and don't want to commit.
Many don't want to give up what they think is freedom. But we're not free when we are bound by sin, regret, and loneli-
ness. Many Christians just experience this part of the conversion experience.
As Charismatics, we get to experience the birth and fruit of the Spirit. Ours is not just a moment of Surrender but a true
life in the Spirit. We are given all we need to fight our battles both in the world and in the Spirit. We are able grow from
the inside out allowing God to use us as we collaborate on our journey with our Father and discover who he made us
be. Our faith is a process of growing, stretching and striving as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, give us an ear to listen and remain attentive to Your voice that we may follow as you lead us to Your most perfect
plan for our life.
So, step out and be corny, if you must, but be true to who you are in Christ and let the Holy Spirit lead you into the com-
ing New Year.
Maria Muratore
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’".
Jeremiah 29:11

2. December 2016 What’s Happening around our diocese?
About Bishop Sam
Jacobs
Author: Maria
Muratore
Among the
many speakers,
priests, nuns,
deacons and lay
people at the
National
Leaders and
Ministries
Conference,
Bishop Sam Jacobs shone like a beacon and
stood out as a guiding paternal shepherd. He
was impressive yet surprisingly approachable
throughout the weekend. The gifts, such as
tongues, prophecy, healing etc., were abundant
and flowing this weekend during all parts of
Mass, praise, prayer, teachings, and fellowship.
We were all floating on clouds of joy and peace
as the Spirit descended upon us. You can't get
better than that!
Bishop Sam gave testimony during his homily
to all of us urging us "not to give in to despair
or weariness but to trust God and be available
when the Holy Spirit calls". He not only speaks
his testimony but lives it as an amazing
Charismatic leader. You may visit his website
at www.spiritaflame.org.
Bishop Sam Jacobs was ordained to the
priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette in 1964
where he served as pastor, chaplain, and
associate pastor of several parishes there and
in the Diocese of Lake Charles. He has served
as chairman of the National Service Committee
for the Charismatic Renewal and diocesan
director of Vocations and Seminarians for the
Diocese of Lake Charles. Bishop Jacobs was
appointed the tenth bishop of Alexandria in
1989 and was installed as the third bishop of
Houma-Thibodaux in 2003. He retired in
October of 2013 and is now the bishop
emeritus of Houma-Thibodaux. He celebrated
50 years of priesthood on June 6, 2014, and
marked 25 years of episcopacy on August 24,
2014.
Updates from National Leaders
and Ministry Conference
Dee Quiambao-Stevenson, Dama-
ris Acevedo, and Maria Muratore
are having a great time making
new friends. Dee is the leader of
The Servants of God Charismatic
prayer group of Holy Infant Church in Durham , NC.
I had the pleasure of meeting
Anne from Magnificat at the Con-
ference. This is a Worldwide min-
istry of Catholic Women. Visit
their website at www.magnificat-
ministry.net
If you would like to contact our
Diocese of Raleigh Chapter in
formation you may email Maria Jones at mkjones@gmail.com
Damaris Acevedo with Patrick
and Joy Campbell from Joyful
Hope Ministries
Visit their website
www.crossofstbenedict.com
We’re being prayed for!
I had the pleasure of meeting
a wonderful Spirit-filled group
of nuns at the National Leaders
and Ministries Conference in
Atlanta, Georgia this weekend.
They are the Disciples of the
Lord Jesus Christ, a Franciscan
Charismatic Religious Institute
of Sisters. Sr. Damiana has agreed to keep the entire Charismatic
community of the Diocese of Raleigh in prayer and interces-
sion. That includes our prayer groups, leaders, ministry teams as
well as present, past and future members. Sr. Lucy Lukasiewicz,
DLJC was a speaker on fire and gave an awesome testimony.
What a beautiful sight to see these joyful nuns singing and danc-
ing in the Spirit.
Sr. Lucy was 17 when she began to hear of and experience charis-
matic prayer meetings and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Soon after
she was given information about the Disciples of the Lord Jesus
Christ. She came to the Disciples at age 19. Sr. Lucy's greatest joy
is praising the Lord and bringing people to a deeper realization
of a great God who has a plan for their life. Her heart says, "Lord,
I am your servant. Please contact them if you have a private
prayer request or would like more information about their com-
munity. I have come to do your will." For more information visit
them at www.dljc.org or email prayformesisters@gmail.com

3. December 2016 What’s Happening around our diocese?
Holy Hour Adoration and the Art of Worship
Debra Rony
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a beautiful way for
the faithful to pray, meditate, and praise the Lord for all
that He has done for us in our lives and for the world. Fr.
Ian Van Heusen, Parochial Vicar at St. Bernadette’s Church
in Fuquay-Varina, has a passion for what he calls “the art of
worship”. For the second time this year, he organized an
evening of praise and worship Holy Hour on Saturday, No-
vember 5th, 2017. Dana Catherine, a Christian recording
artist and friend of Fr. Ian, provided the live music as Fr.
Ian led the people in reflection and spontaneous prayer.
Many people commented on the reverence and peaceful-
ness of the evening and that the contemporary Christian
song choices were inspiring and they were able to sing
along. Hearts were moved and filled with the love, joy, and
peace that accompanies being in the presence of the Lord.
I sat down with Fr. Ian to discuss his future plans for this
type of Adoration and what inspired him to bring it to our
Diocese. He said that he participated in praise and worship
Holy Hour in Philadelphia and a few other areas and want-
ed to introduce it to our smaller communities in order to
raise awareness of Catholic art and how it can be incorpo-
rated into liturgical celebrations. Praise and worship is also
a celebration that we, as Catholic Charismatics, believe in
strongly. One of Fr. Ian’s goals is to bridge the charismatic
and orthodox sides of the Catholic Church; combining
praise and worship with Adoration is a great way to do that!
He anticipates having additional Holy Hour Adoration a
few times a year in different areas and parishes including
St. Joseph’s in Raleigh and also parishes in Fayetteville and
Wilmington. He adds that he “realizes that some people
have more of a leaning towards contemporary Christian
music while others enjoy the more traditional music” and
he plans on offering both styles to accommodate different
musical tastes. He has also worked in youth ministry and
recently held a retreat in which he incorporated praise and
worship music as part of the retreat and he hopes to inspire
other priests and young seminarians to do the same.
In addition to his love of praise and worship, he also em-
braces other types of art like videography. His website has
his own videos and commentaries with catholic teaching,
inspirational messages, and articles covering a wide range
of topics regarding spirituality and faith. He keeps up with
national trends in the Catholic Church and he wants to use
all forms of Catholic art to inform, inspire, and illuminate
us. His website entitled “The Art of Living Well” is a great
forum for doing this so be sure to check it out at
www.ianvanheusen.com.
The next Adoration Hour he has planned with Dana Cathe-
rine right now is tentatively scheduled at St. Bernadette’s in
May 2017. Then there may be two more at other locations
in June 2017 and July 2017. It should also be noted that
Dana Catherine is scheduled to appear at the Ignited by
Truth Conference in March 2017. Her first album,
“Glorious Horizons”, was released in September 2015 and
is working on a new album. Her single, “My Savior in Me”,
can be found on Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. If you are
interested in contracting Dana for an event please visit her
Announcements and Upcoming Events
December 10, 2016 Diocesan Wide Multi- Prayer Group Christmas
Celebration:
at St, Michael's Conference Center Gallery 6:30pm-11:00pm: Fun and fellowship for both
young and old. This is a wonderful opportunity to Celebrate the Holidays early with your
faith community. Families welcome. This is potluck (Please contribute beverages,
appetizers, entrees or dessert to share). Please contact me at mmuratore@ccsraleigh.org or
ti RSVP. We will also need volunteers for set up/cleanup.
January 21st, 2017 Diocesan Wide Prayer Gathering:
at St. Paul's, New Bern. Potluck brunch with Board Meeting to follow for details contact
Karen Moore at kbmoore@centurylink.net
Visit Us Online at ccsaleigh.weebly.com