Charismatic Catholics celebrate in East Anglia
Fun and faith on children’s pilgrimage to Walsingham
May 31, 2017
Bury St Edmunds’ international celebration of Pentecost
June 6, 2017
Hundreds of Charismatic Catholics from across the region met Bury St Edmunds over the weekend at the Celebrate East Anglia event at the same time as huge crowds were also marking Pentecost and the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Rome with Pope Francis.
The fifth annual Celebrate East Anglia weekend brought 250 young and older Catholics together at St Benedict's Schoolon June 3 and 4.
Organiser, Philip Walters from Norwich, said: "What a joy it is to be celebrating the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit as we gather together on this most special Pentecost weekend – when the Church celebrates the 50th anniversary of that outpouring of the Holy Spirit Pope John XXIII prayed for – ‘A New Pentecost’, so valuable in the reviving and renewing of God’s people in the Catholic Church family all over the world.
"As we gather we ask the Holy Spirit to join us in heart and mind with all those from across the globe who are gathering in Rome for the amazing celebration that Pope Francis has called the Church to."
With a theme of Seek First His Kingdom, the weekend conference included guest speakers, praise and worship, workshops and streams for young people of all ages.
The opening speaker was David Wells, Director of Adult Formation and Youth Ministry in the Plymouth Diocese.
"If Pentecost is going to burst into your heart you need to lighten up, let down your self-defences and be honest with yourself," he said.
"It is anxiety not doubt which smothers the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is not a state of life but is a moment in time. An experience of Pentecost will send you back into ordinary life on fire."
Other speakers included John Ryeland, Director of Christian Healing Mission, youth worker Gemma Wildsmith, East Anglian seminarian Simon Davies and mime artist Steve Murray.
Bishop Alan visited the conference and celebrated Mass on Saturday.
www.celebrateconference.org/east-anglia
Pictured top is worship at Celebrate East Anglia and, above, speaker David Wells. See below or click here for a picture gallery of Celebrate.
