Keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit alive through the years

It wasn’t a coincidence but rather a blessing of the Holy Spirit that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement came in the Archdiocese of Davao in October 1973.

It was during that time that some lay leaders from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish headed by Bro. Pete R. Alinsub attended the seminar called “Finding New Life in the Spirit” held at the Christ the King Cathedral, Tagum City.

Then parish priest of the Christ the King Cathedral of Tagum City, Abp. Romulo Valles, DD received the movement and had the first Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar (CLSS) that year.

According to Msgr. Bonnie Borlaza, STD, HP, from there onwards, those who have attended the seminar received strong anointing from the Holy Spirit they were spiritually motivated and vowed to continue the life changing experience of the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Thereafter, Archdiocese of Davao Bp. Antonio L. Mabutas, DD, gave its approval and permission for the propagation of the Renewal Movement as a way of evangelizing the people and obtain the grace of conversion.

More were even blessed with the fire from the Holy Spirit when on another time, Abp. Fernando Capalla, DD invited lecturers from the Diocese of Tagum to conduct CLSS at Bishop Thibault Media Center (BTMC).

Since then, more parishioners were able to receive the gift of fire through the seminar series conducted throughout the Archdiocese including the parishes of Sta. Ana, Immaculate Conception of Mintal, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Calinan, St. James Bunawan, San Pedro Cathedral, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Sto. Rosario Parish Toril, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Assumption Parish, OMPHP in Buhangin.

Apart from the parishes, many other Parochial Communities, Covenanted and Trans-parochial Communities were able to propagate the gift of fire for the charismatic movement.

“They, too, are empowered to live and propagate the Life in the Spirit in their weekly holdings of prayer meetings and conduct of growth seminars for their members,” a briefer of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service said.

Though many, these Catholic communities were as one with the goal and objectives, “to evangelize and help the people attain renewal to strengthen faith and experience love.”

The burning fire of the movement has been proven in its continuous proliferation to different parishes in the Archdiocese. Also, it has continued to change its name periodically.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Archdiocese of Davao was first known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Secretariat (CCRS) then was changed to Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM).

After a couple of years it was again changed to Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (ACCR). In one of the core group meetings, it was unanimously decided to add the word “Davao” to the name ACCR since the renewal is established at the heart of Davao.

The Renewal Movement in the Archdiocese of Davao is then known as the “Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Davao (ACCRD).”

“The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Spirituality continue to prosper, many accounts of miracles and wonders, healing and conversions are proliferating and happening as reported and recorded by the communities who have undergone CLSS and Growth seminars,” it said.

Most Rev. Capalla, DD changed its name to Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Movement of Davao (ACCRMD).

Then, the name Archdiocesan Service Committee Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Davao (ASCCCRD).

In August 25-27, 2017 ACCRMD conducted a convention for all Parochial and Trans-parochial Communities core groups to revisit and to make amendments on the existing ACCRMD General Guidelines of 2001.

Among the amendments of some provisions of the guidelines included the name of the Archdiocesan Renewal Communities from ACCRMD to Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Communities of Davao (ACCRCD).