About us
Who we are: Faith on Fire (formerly Word of Life) is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center (CCRC) for the Diocese of Erie, PA. The Center has carried out its mission within the Diocese for 30 years. The Center’s mission is to see people come alive in the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel Chapter 37, Ezekiel is found in the Valley of Dry Bones. The valley is filled with the bones of the dead, who were once living. The Lord God asks the prophet, “oh son of man, tell Me, can these bones live?” The prophet answered that only God knew if the bones could live. Then a miracle appears before the prophet. God instructs the prophet to prophecy to the dry bones and to tell them to live! The prophet obeyed and bone came upon bone and flesh grew over the bones. Then the Lord, at the prophet’s prophecy, breathes His breath, the breath of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, into the flesh and as the Lord breathes His breath into the dry bones, they come to life as a great army of God. Faith on Fire CCRC’s mission is for each person to have an experience with the Living God and to realize that, no matter where they are in their faith walk, God always desires to bring us closer to Himself and give use MORE of His Holy Spirit. This enables us to walk in the calling He has for each of us. We were all born with a purpose ‘for such a time as this.’ His plan is perfect for each one of us. And His Holy Spirit brings power and life to us and to His plan. He is a God who is not far off, but is involved in the smallest details of our lives when we invite Him in. He loves us and we desire that each person experience the realness of the love of Jesus and God the Father. It is a love that transforms and heals.
Our goals
- A fresh and enthusiastic approach to prayer, retreats, ecumenism, theology and parish life
- New respect for the authority of the Church
- A deeper appreciation for the sacraments (especially the Eucharist)
Our mission: The center's primary mission is to proclaim Jesus as Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit and to serve the Church in its mission of the evangelization in the Diocese of Erie. The center is committed to bear witness and proclaim the complete Gospel of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Charismatic Renewal
Lead a life worthy of the calling...Make every effort to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
Giving and Receiving: That is the nature of all relationships — both human and divine. The Charismatic Renewal helps individuals and communities rediscover the dimensions of Christianity by cultivating a deeper relationship with God through Jesus and being open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are generously bestowed upon those who ask in faith from the Heavenly Father.
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? St. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14 that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healings, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment of Spirits, Speaking In Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues.
"But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes." (1 Corinthians 12:11.) These gifts are made available by God as practical tools for living more fully in Christ and continuing his mission on earth.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone."
The Charismatic Renewal heightens the experience of the Truth Catholics already believe as core to their faith. Benefits of the movement include inspiring a:
- Fresh and enthusiastic approach to prayer, retreats, ecumenism, theology and parish life
- New respect for the authority of the Church
- Deeper appreciation for the sacraments (especially the Eucharist)
With the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested in them, Charismatics can be described as people excited about Jesus, His Gospel, and the gifts generously given by the Holy Spirit designed to help us be more Christ-like.
Witness to Spiritual Renewal
- Charismatic's openness to the Spirit in their lives generates a sense of love, joy and peace that comes from a deeper awareness of surrender to the love of God.
- Openness of the Spirit allows Charismatics to have a rich experience of Jesus as alive in the world as He works to form a loving community of believers.
- In cooperation with the Holy Spirit, Charismatics aim to help others experience the fullness of God's love.
The Charisms or gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) play an important role in the life of every Christian. By tapping into and encountering the Holy Spirit in a new way, especially through openness to the release of the Spirit, sometimes referred to as baptism in the Spirit (Acts 1:5), a new and deeper relationship with God can be cultivated which bears much fruit.
How can I get involved? If you are interested in learning more about the Charismatic Renewal, weekly prayer meetings are held which include spontaneous prayer and hymns, short teachings, Bible readings, testimonies and the manifestation of the Charisms.
St. Mark Catholic Center
429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, Pa. 16514
PH: (814) 824-1286
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