By Mike Marraffino

A major mission and gift of Charismatic Services of the Boston Archdiocese is to bring together, coordinate, and animate all the ethnic prayer groups. Accordingly, a monthly leader’s assembly is held in support all of our prayer groups. This September’s assembly in Waltham’s St. Mary Church was attended by leaders from Anglo, Brazilian, Hispanic, Nigerian, and Ugandan prayer groups. 

One of the blessings at each gathering is a powerful gathering time of worship. This month the Brazilians were responsible for refreshments and leading the praise. Renildo Paiva and a team from the Brazilian community drew the entire community into a powerful time of praise. They demonstrated how groups from diverse languages can draw everyone to call on the fire of the Holy Spirit.

At each gathering CRS Boston Director Romanus Ajaero calls on different ethnic group leaders to share about activities and accomplishments, past and future in their communities. Most important at this time was a report by Juan Zapata who is coordinating the September conference at Boston College High School. He reported good response to the ticket sales and urged all to bring more people to celebrate their new lives in the Spirit. We have much more room at this location than at last year’s conference. Juan also announced a change in Spanish language speaker. Father Germán Gándara from Columbia will lead those conference sessions.

David Brooks told about workshops in the English speaking communities and Ranildo Paiva spoke about Life In The Spirit activities in the Brazilian Communities. Enrique Mendez reported on Hispanic programs. He also related that there are 37 Hispanic prayer groups in the Archdiocese, one at each parish offering Spanish language services. Five youth groups are included in these groups serving the Hispanic communities. All are urged to check each community’s web sites for details of programs. 

Romanus Ajaero introduced Br. Henry Wampamba from Holy Cross, Kisubi, Uganda who recently arrived from Africa. He will be evangelizing in Waltham’s Ugandan community.

Before breaking into separate language discussion groups, Renaldo Paiva announced he is stepping down after many years leading the Brazilian community. We all joined in intercession for the Brazilian communities as they select a new leader.

Click on photos to enlarge