Less than a month after the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, the IEC Pavilion will host another important Catholic gathering, this time for Cebu’s Charismatic Renewal Movement which will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Feb. 28.
The information was disclosed by Mrs. Fe Barino, chair of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in Cebu.
Fe leads the Love of God covenanted community together with husband Rafaelito Barino.
The Catholic movement in Cebu is composed of 30 active covenanted communities and more than 50 parish-based charismatic groups. Total membership is around 10,000, according to Mrs. Barino.
Barino is also the vice president of Duros Development Corporation, contractor of the IEC Pavilion.
DDC built the IEC Pavilion without cost for the Cebu Archdiocese.
To enable the Barino-owned construction company to recover construction expenses, the Cebu Archdiocese granted DDC usufruct rights to a Church property near the Seminary College.
In previous interviews, Mrs. Barino said that when Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma sought her help to build a permanent structure for the 51st IEC, she readily agreed thinking that at the end of the Catholic congress, the edifice will make room for charismatic group meetings.
“This is a dream come true,” Fe said about the charismatic groups milestone, the first post-IEC event to be held in The Pavilion.
The charismatic movement in the Philippines is said to have begun in 1974 through the efforts of Fr. Herbert “Herb” Schneider, SJ. The Catholic movement in Cebu was introduced by Fr. Leonardo Polinar and Monsignor Fred Kriekenbeek. Msgr. Kriekenbeek is currently the Vicar-General of charismatic groups in the Archdiocese of Cebu.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a spiritual movement within the Catholic Church that integrates Catholic faith practices with so-called charisms or gifts of the Holy Spirit such as faith healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues.
In the recently concluded 51st IEC, charismatic groups provided the backbone of volunteer work. The CCR was also responsible for the formation of thousands of volunteers.
There are more than 30 active covenanted communities and more than 50 parish-based charismatic groups in Cebu with more than 10,000 members, according to Fe.
She added that Fr. Schneider is set to deliver a message in line with the CCRM’s 40th anniversary theme, “Overcome Darkness and Be the Light to the Nations by the Holy Spirit.”
Other speakers include the CCRM “founding instruments,” Fr. Polinar and Msgr. Kriekenbeek. Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma is also expected to attend.
The CCRM 40th anniversary on Feb. 28 at the IEC Pavilion will be marked with a mass, healing sessions, inspirational messages and sharing of faith-based experiences. Program starts 1 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m.