The XIII National Catholic Charismatic Convention
At Muringoor, Kerala
Theme: "Build the Body of Christ"
27th to 30th December, 2006

Entering into the territory of Kerala, with so many banners and flexi-boardsadvertising the Convention was a sight to itself. The Kerala Service Team(KST) of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services did a marvelous job inmobilizing the entire State for the Convention. Every parish displayed atleast one banner and a few flexi-boards and every family interceded forweeks together and had received at least one handbill about the Convention.On 26th morning itself all Railway stations adjacent to Muringoor saw anunprecedented rush of passengers alighting and all roads leading toMuringoor were densely packed with vehicles and pedestrians proceeding tothe Divine Retreat Center (DRC).

In DRC, at the entrance on both sides of the road, registration countersbecame busy and as and when people came in, they were given theiraccommodation and directions. All members of the National Service Teamreached the site early on 26th itself. On 27th morning, sharp at 9.30 am,the Divine Music Ministry struck the first chord of the theme song 'Buildthe Body of Christ, all ye faithful of the Lord.' At 10.30, the guests wereled to the dais and welcomed by Cyril John, Chairman of the National ServiceTeam. The inaugural function was a very colorful one with lighting of thelamps and releasing of the pigeon. His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil,CSsR, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly delivered the inauguralmessage. Fr. Varghese, Superior General of the Vincentians released, 'A NewPentecost' a video presentation on the Renewal in India; Most Rev. ValerianD'Souza, Bishop of Poona and Episcopal Advisor to the Renewal in Indiareleased the book 'Spurred by the Spirit' in English and Malayalam by CyrilJohn and His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil released English andMalayalam versions of the book, 'Divine Experiences' by Fr. JacobKaniyaraseril, OFM Cap, Chief Editor of Indian Currents.

Most Rev Geevarghese Mar Diannasios and Most Rev Stephen Athipozhiyil, bothVice-Chairmen of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference Commission for CCRand Most Rev Joseph Suren Gomes, Bishop of Krishnagar Diocese were present.The ICCRS delegate from South Korea, Bro. James Shin, delivered a message.Ms. Mary Healey, the main speaker from the USA; Fr JoseNarithookil,Chairman, Kerala Service Team; Fr Augustine Vallooran VC and FrGeorge Panackal VC, both Directors of Divine Retreat Centre; Mr M.A. Joppan,General Convener of the Convention; Fr Rufus Pereira and Fr A.J. ThamburajSJ were also present on the dais during the inaugural session.

The sessions on the first day witnessed the keynote address on 'Church, theSacrament of Salvation' by Most Rev Valerian D'Souza, 'Christ is the headand Church the Mystical Body of Christ' by Ms Mary Healy and 'Sin' by FrAugustine Vallooran. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by BishopValerian. On 28th the day started with Divine and National CatholicCharismatic Youth Council (NCCYC) teams jointly leading the music ministry.Talks were given by Fr. Thamburaj on 'Repentence', Fr. George Panakal on'Forgiving Love' and Fr. Rufus Pereira on 'Healing and Deliverance'. SrSerena MSA led the preparation for the Confession. The EucharisticCelebration was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, whoalso preached a homily of Mary. The Korean Team - Kkottongnae Community ofBrothers and Sisters of Jesus - led by Bro. James Shin kept the audiencespell bound during the after dinner Musical Nite with their instrumentalmusic, dance and praise & worship.

Rex Band of the Jesus Youth led the participants of the Convention throughthe praise and worship on the morning of 29th. Talks on 'Missionary Church'by Fr. Anil Dev IMS and 'Charismatic spirituality to build up parishcommunities' by Most Rev S. Singaroyan, Bishop of Salem were the spiritualtreat of the day. The Eucharistic celebration was in the Syro-Malabar Riteand presided over by Most Rev. Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, Archbishop of Trichur.For the participants from outside Kerala this was a new experience. Thepanel session led by Dr. Edward Edezhath brought to light the penetrationand influence of charismatic spirituality into various areas of ordinaryhuman life. Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarappu, Bishop of Vijayawada also participated in the panel discussion. The evening's spiritual treat was atalk on inner healing by Ms Mae Britto and the inner healing service by Fr.Augustine Vallooran.

On the last day, 30th December, Thomas Paul elucidated on 'Charisms forbuilding up the Church'. Mr Cyril John thanked everyone who was instrumentalin making the Convention a grand success. The Eucharistic Celebration waspresided over by Most Rev Vincent M. Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi. Fr.Augustine Vallooran together with Sr. Elsis Mathew conducted the prayer forinfilling and thus the 13th National Convention came to an end. ThisConvention was unique in many ways compared to the earlier twelveConventions. Here the Convention Hall was a permanently erected one withpermanent sound system and electrification. Accommodation was in permanentlybuilt dormitories or rooms. Cooking and catering was by people at it all the 365 days of the year. Toilets and bathrooms were pucca - not make-shiftarrangements. The railway station was on the edge of the Convention site.Organized by the National Service Team in close collaboration with theKerala Service Team the Convention was indeed a Divine Experience! Halleluia!!!