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'Fire' to reignite faith
By Ambria Hammel, ahammel@catholicsun.org
August 21, 2008
GLENDALE — Four “Men In Black” will be visiting a West Valley parish this week, searching for something both out of, and of, this world.
These four holy men, local Catholic priests, will be looking for Catholics ready to fire away burning questions about the faith.
The diocesan priests — marketed as the “Men In Black” for wider appeal — are the first guest speakers for Cenacle of Fire, an intergenerational movement debuting Aug. 21 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glendale.
“The first Cenacle of Fire is that of the upper room experience when the Blessed Mother and the Apostles gathered for prayer and the Holy Spirit descended upon them,” said Fr. Michael Accinni Reinhardt, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The West Valley event will follow the model of fellowship and praise established at Pentecost — the birthday of the Church. Fr. Reinhardt and George Gonzalez of Family Spirit Music added worship music and teaching to each gathering.
They also worked with the parish council to ensure hospitality and fellowship are staples of Cenacle of Fire. Guests will be invited to relax at European-style outdoor café that features pastries, gelato, shaved ice and other refreshments.
The idea is to link hospitality with a solid catechesis that moves Catholics to better grasp and passionately share their faith.
The monthly gatherings — every third Thursday — call Catholics into deeper worship through prayer and adoration.
The first night will feature what Fr. Reinhardt called “a loose cannon Q-and-A.” Some Catholics have already submitted questions for the “Men in Black” about annulment and the liturgy through the ministry’s Web site.
The panel of “enthusiastically charged priests” — Fr. Chris Fraser, canon lawyer for the diocese; Fr. Steve Kunkel, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Mesa; Fr. Charlie Gorieb, pastor of Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa; and Fr. Billy Kosco, pastor of St. Henry Parish in Buckeye — will fire off the answers.
The open agenda of each gathering allows active Catholics to grow deeper in their faith, fallen away Catholics to come home and non-Catholics a chance to consider the faith, Fr. Reinhardt said. The parish purchased a billboard ad to reach the latter two groups.
“It is such a thrill of hope seeing the face of Jesus among the ills of the city,” Fr. Reinhardt said, referring to inappropriate images around town. He prays that passersby “will be given a gift of hope as they see the message ‘Be Awakened in Faith.’”
Cenacle of Fire also hopes to awaken the faith within youth by offering special components geared toward teenagers and young adults.
On Aug. 22-24, the parish will kick off Manus XP, a social-action-based ministry for Catholics ages 16 to 25. Organizers sent a special invitation to the nearby Newman Club at Glendale Community College.
The youth will gather a few times per year for prayer, formation and the sacraments.
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