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100. Background Information for 1971-1975 Sources
5 pages This document provides background information and historical context for the sources in the 1971-1975 time period. -
101. Signs of the Times
22 pages These four documents date from the years before we became a covenant community. They are snapshots of the “signs of the times”: the powerful effects of the Cursillo movement, the mention of the charismatic gifts at the Second Vatican Council, community-building in Latin America and the spread of baptism in the Spirit. -
102. Early Lessons in Christian Household
41:15 This talk was given at a workshop at the June, 1971, Conference on the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. Jeanne DeCelles shared about household, stressing that order in a household should give people more freedom. She described several lessons that she and others learned and talked about headship and submission. For more… -
103. The Need for Christian Environments
45:44 In this talk from the summer of 1971, Paul DeCelles pointed out that people’s beliefs, attitudes and behavior patterns are strongly affected by the others around them and that we need, therefore, to have at least one Christian environment in order to live a full Christian life. This talk was given as part… -
104. Being and Doing
12:39 This talk, given in the summer of 1971 at the Apostolic Institute, is about the role of activities in building Christian community. In particular, Paul DeCelles stressed that to build Christian community one shouldn’t start with activities. Rather, one should start with a small group who want to gather to share Jesus Christ.… -
105. The Key to Community Vitality
27:16 This Apostolic Institute talk is about the relationship between the vitality of a community and its purpose. A community with a clear and compelling purpose of great importance will be a vital one. For more on the Apostolic Institute see the Resource 100, “Background Information.” -
106. Spiritual Gifts and the Common Good
29:40 This talk was given by Kevin Ranaghan at the June, 1972, Conference on Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. He talked about how the spiritual gifts are primarily meant to function in a community setting for the sake of the common good. He also talked about charisms as graced functions in the body… -
107. Reflections on the 1973 Conference
5 pages In this 1973 article published in New Covenant magazine, Paul DeCelles emphasized the ecumenical and lay character of the work of God in the charismatic renewal and the freedom that is a hallmark of the Holy Spirit’s activity. -
108. The Role of Prophets and Prophecy
20:55 This talk is from a November 16, 1973, community meeting. Paul DeCelles used Old Testament examples to answer the question, “What is prophecy supposed to do?” He discussed the role of prophecy in forming attitudes of mind and heart and in directing us in how we should live. At the end he reviewed… -
109. Pastoral Needs Memo
1 page This was a 1973 proposal to the coordinators about how to meet the pastoral needs of every member of the People of Praise. It was written when the community had grown to be around 85 people, nearly three times as big as it was when it was founded in 1971. -
110. Relationships Built on Jesus
28:34 This 1973 talk reviewed what the Lord was teaching the community about Christian personal relationships. Paul DeCelles noted that our highly technological society isn’t necessarily good for developing personal relationships and he described some ways social relationships have broken down. He then described relationships centered in Jesus and built around him. -
111. Covenants and Agreements
26:17 Paul DeCelles talked about a covenant as a solemn agreement which establishes a relationship. He described the advantages of making agreements and a procedure for making them. -
112. Overcoming Pride
14:19 In this 1974 Servant School talk, Clem Walters used passages from Luke 14, Matthew 4, Luke 17 and Matthew 25 to talk about overcoming pride by becoming a submissive and humble servant. -
113. Satan’s Way and Christ’s Way
23:28 This Servant School talk described how the decision to serve one another humbly in the same way Jesus did involves one in a spiritual battle with Satan. Clem Walters used Ignatius of Loyola’s Two Standards meditation to point out that Satan tempts with riches, honor and pride, but the Lord’s way is marked… -
114. The Trap of Money
27:12 Using examples from his own life, Clem Walters taught Servant School members to examine their attitudes towards riches and warned of the dangers of trusting in money and possessions. -
115. Work: the World’s View and God’s View
22:23 This Servant School talk contrasted a worldly view of work and service with what Scripture says. Clem Walters explained how answering the Lord’s call to a life of service leads to true joy and happiness. -
116. Slaves to Whom?
20:46 In this Servant School talk, Clem Walters used Romans 8:1-9 to talk about how we can either be enslaved to our sinful human nature (the flesh) or enslaved to righteousness for holy purposes. He then recommended asking ourselves three questions which will help reveal whom we serve. -
117. Prayer, Study and Action
26:45 This Servant School talk addressed the importance of making personal commitments to prayer, study and action as a way to become better slaves of Christ and to help overcome any bondage to the flesh. Clem Walters gave practical suggestions about each of the three areas. -
118. Motives for Serving
20:19 This Servant School talk described some common reasons for serving, such as avoiding punishment, getting a return favor, being noticed, etc. Clem Walters talked about serving simply out of love for the Lord (with purity of heart). -
119. Servant Leadership
21:53 This Servant School talk described what it means to be a leader and illustrated the world’s faulty notions of leadership. Clem Walters described the qualities a person needs to become a consistent, effective leader for Jesus. -
120. Consulting the Community
31:21 At this February 15, 1974 community meeting Paul DeCelles spoke about why, when and how the coordinators will consult the community as a whole. Although the procedures (the “how”) for conducting a consultation have changed over time, this recording reflects the spirit and purpose of People of Praise consultations. For more historical context… -
121. How to Pray with People
46:00 In this talk, given at a February 27, 1974 Christian Growth Workshop, Jeanne DeCelles describes the prayer room ministry that regularly happened after the Wednesday night prayer meeting and relates many stories from her experience in the prayer room. -
122. The Origins of the People of Praise
38:09 The Cursillo movement, Catholic charismatic renewal, thousands of people baptized in the Spirit, spiritual gifts, personal growth . . . out of this the People of Praise was formed. How did it happen? How did the community get its name? What were the difficulties and the miracles? How was the covenant written? These… -
123. Brotherhood Among Leaders
8 pages Strong leadership is essential for a strong community. Paul DeCelles pointed out potential problems that can exist within groups of leaders and explained the importance of brotherhood among them. This document appears to be a talk given to some kind of gathering of charismatic renewal leaders in March, 1974. -
124. Following Jesus Wholeheartedly
13:50 This talk was given at a June 7, 1974, community meeting at which several people made the covenant. Kevin Ranaghan talked about Luke 14, emphasizing that anyone who comes to Jesus and doesn’t put everything else second can’t be his disciple. Kevin urged everyone to count the cost and decide to pay it. -
125. Teaching Children to Pray
22:31 This talk was given on June 19, 1974, at a Wednesday night public prayer meeting. Bud Rose talked about taking responsibility for teaching his children to pray, and Sharon Rose shared about the resulting fruit she has seen in their family. -
126. Being a Man, Being a Woman
52:20 Paul DeCelles looked at 1 Corinthians 11:2ff. and 14:34-36, 1 Timothy 5:9-10, Titus 2:2-7 and 1 Peter 3:1-7. He comments that this is not about “a law” but rather about exploring together what God is saying, with the attitude of “I want to be as much of a man/woman as possible.” Then he… -
127. Freedom and Leadership
13 pages This is an edited transcript of a talk given to prayer group leaders in the early ’70s. In it Paul DeCelles described what God means by freedom and then talked about how leadership is service that sets others free. He also talked about what leaders should be doing and about the problems…