The Charismatic Program in the
Archdiocese of Portland

Archbishops and bishops worldwide are encouraged to appoint a liaison with the Catholic Charismatic renewal.  Father Thomas Bill, C.S.C., served as Archdiocesan liaison for many years.  He gathered many of the documents and provided the teachings on this website.  On August 1, 2008, Archbishop John Vlazny appointed as his replacement, Father Peter Smith and Deacon Jesus Gutierrez as Co-Liaisons with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of Portland.

The Western Oregon Catholic Charismatic Renewal (WOCCR) and the Co-Liaisons constitute the Archdiocesan Renewal Center.  For the guidance of the charismatic renewal in the Archdiocese, the Renewal Center team maintains faithful contact with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.  Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II have given sound guidance, encouragement and approbation to charismatic Catholics worldwide.

The Liaison Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops has also approved and guided the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  Our Archbishop provides directions and encouragement for this renewal.  The Renewal Center also maintains contact with the International Catholic Charismatic Services (ICCRS) at the Vatican and with the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (NSC).  The charismatic and institutional dimensions of the Catholic Church work together for they both are co-essential to the life and sanctity of the people of God.

Under the guidance of the Archbishop and his Co-Liaisons, the Archdiocesan Renewal Center and Team serve the charismatic Catholics and renewal groups in the archdiocese.  If you have questions or comments, you can contact the WOCCR Team by e-mail.

Some parishes have charismatic renewal meetings where people learn to be open to the Holy Spirit as they mature in a life of praise and worship, ministry and service, and exercise of the Divine charisms of the Holy Spirit.

The primary ministry of these charismatic groups is to help parishioners realize that the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church has not changed since the first Pentecost.  They are renewing the Grace of Pentecost in the life and mission of the Church.  These charismatic groups regularly provide "Life in the Spirit Seminars" to lead people to the conversion experience called the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" or the "release of the Spirit".