Audience The talks in this collection were addressed to several different audiences: those present at the Apostolic Institute, those at a community meeting, those at a charismatic conference and those who were attending some kind of teaching session sponsored by the community. When the talks are organized according to audience, the list looks like … [Read more...] about 100. Background Information for 1971-1975 Sources
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101. Signs of the Times
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. Contents 1. The Cursillo Movement 2. The mention of … [Read more...] about 101. Signs of the Times
107. Reflections on the 1973 Conference
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. Reflections on the 1973 Conference By Paul de Celles [sic] Dr. DeCelles, professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame, has been … [Read more...] about 107. Reflections on the 1973 Conference
109. Pastoral Needs Memo
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. By Paul DeCelles PROPOSALTO: the coordinatorsFROM: PaulRE: the pastoral needs of each person in People of Praise1. … [Read more...] about 109. Pastoral Needs Memo
123. Brotherhood Among Leaders
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. From the beginning of the Catholic charismatic renewal, we’ve … [Read more...] about 123. Brotherhood Among Leaders
127. Freedom and Leadership
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 within themselves they need to confront. He concluded by commenting on the importance of … [Read more...] about 127. Freedom and Leadership
222. Be Hungry for the Word of God
This is an archival transcript of a talk given at a 1980 community meeting. We don’t have a recording of this meeting. The talk began with comments about the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. What was at issue was the correct reading and interpretation of Scripture. Paul DeCelles then talked about how moving forward as the body of Christ in the world requires an … [Read more...] about 222. Be Hungry for the Word of God
220. Memos on Weddings and Dating
Two memos addressed to the coordinators by Kevin Ranaghan with proposals for a People of Praise approach to state-in-life decisions, dating, engagement and weddings. Contents Memo on Weddings MEMO TO: The coordinators From: Kevin Re: A proposal for weddings in the People of Praise Date: February 20, 1976 Memo on … [Read more...] about 220. Memos on Weddings and Dating
219. Vision of Community
A working paper written by Paul DeCelles for a seminar on community building in 1979 that explained the fundamental human need for communal relationships. Paul addressed how modern society’s move away from family structure to a productivity structure has come at a cost. Community in Christ is a completely different way to live that answers all the problems of life. The … [Read more...] about 219. Vision of Community
218. The Weekly Meeting
A working paper written by Paul DeCelles for a seminar on community building in 1979 that outlines six purposes for the weekly meetings of the community. He made several points for leaders about how meetings should be led and what they should accomplish. Giving a vision of community is an important step in building community. Specifically, the weekly community meeting … [Read more...] about 218. The Weekly Meeting
217. Social Justice and the People of Praise
This paper was written sometime in 1979. It was meant as an answer to people who criticized the People of Praise for not being concerned enough with the poor and needy. The paper describes how the community’s approach to social problems was environmental (personal) rather than institutional. The People of Praise has, from its inception, always been committed to an active … [Read more...] about 217. Social Justice and the People of Praise
216. 1976-1978 Community Service Plans
A collection of documents produced in the late 1970s as part of a pastoral plan to identify community services and organize them. These documents give a picture of all the service which was taking place at the time. They include each person’s service hours, organizational flow charts and demographic information. … [Read more...] about 216. 1976-1978 Community Service Plans