Workshop planned

for B.C. leaders

            Charismatic prayer group leaders from across B.C. are invited to the biennial leadership workshop sponsored by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of B.C.

            The event will take place Oct. 3 and 4, a Friday evening and Saturday, at Immaculate Conception Church in North Delta. Theme for the workshop is Leading Through Loving Service.

            Fr. Gabriel de Chadarevian, OP, will be featured speaker, and Archbishop Raymond Roussin will also give a talk to prayer group leaders and priests.

            Born in Syria and raised in Beirut, Fr. de Chadavrevian was raised Catholic but abandoned his faith in his teens. He was converted back to Christianity and baptised in the Holy Spirit in a Pentecostal church as a university student, then rejoined the Catholic Church because of his belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

            He became part of the Catholic charismatic renewal in Lebanon, and then in Canada after immigrating in 1975. He joined the Dominicans in 1981 and was ordained in 1990. He holds a Ph.D. in the early Church Fathers. Now in parish work and giving retreats in Vancouver, he will become a half-time chaplain at Redeemer Pacific College in Langley this fall, also teaching a course on the Fathers.

            Archbishop Roussin will speak Saturday morning on the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.

            The workshop is intended for prayer group leaders, core group or leadership team members, and prayer group members with potential for leadership roles.

            For more information, or billeting, call (604) 597-8227.