Francis Cathedral in Metuchen, NJ is a Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group dedicated to worship and praise of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It started during the early part of Lent, in South River, with a prayer meeting in a private home Most of those who attended were members of the Legion of Mary and they told their spiritual director, Fr. Joseph Connolly, who then told Bishop Ahr. As a resul
t, in December 1969, the Bishop appointed Fr. Connolly to be an observer and spiritual director over this new Catholic Pentecostal group, now called Corpus Christi. In January 1970 the prayer meeting moved to the hall of Corpus Christi Church In July, Fr. Connolly was reassigned to St. Francis Church in Metuchen. The prayer group moved to Metuchen with Fr. Connolly and retained its name in English, The Body of Christ. It was at this time that Fr. Connolly began to celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy before the Prayer Meeting. It was in Metuchen that Fr. Connolly went from being an observer to a very vocal supporter of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He was a dear friend who gave us the support and guidance we needed in those early years. In August 1974 Fr. Connolly went to his heavenly reward. The community prayed earnestly for a new pastor and the Lord sent Fr. Domenic Turtora who came not knowing what to expect from this Charismatic Prayer Group. After only a short time Fr. Turtora became a close friend and advocate of our prayer group. He guided us for almost 25 years and helped all of us come closer to Jesus through the Charismatic Renewal, the Church, the Sacraments, and Mary our Mother. Turtora died in February of 1999. We miss him and know that he is with Jesus and Mary whom he loved so much. In 1971 it was prophesized that the Body of Christ would be a large fountain from which water would flow out upon the surrounding area touching many people and bringing them to life in Jesus Christ through the Power and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Over the past 30 years this prophecy has been confirmed. More than seventy prayer groups have sprung from this fountain and thousands of people have attended its Life in The Spirit Seminars. Our Prayer Group consists of many parts as does the Body of Christ. We have a Pastoral Team and a Core Group that guide and serve our Prayer Group. Our ministries are:
BOOK - Procures and sells religious books. CHAIR - In charge of the physical arrangements of the Prayer Meeting. COFFEE - Provides refreshments for fellowship after the Prayer Meeting. FINANCE - Responsible for all finances of the Prayer Group. GREETING - Welcomes newcomers and answers questions. HEALING - Prays for all types of healing for our brothers and sisters. HOSPITAL - Meets weekly at Roosevelt Hosp. with a prayer meeting. LITURGY - Responsible for the weekly Charismatic Mass and special liturgies such as our Healing Masses. MUSIC - Refuge leads us in praise and worship and serves the Renewal by playing at conferences etc. PRAYER WARRIORS - Gathers weekly to pray for the many prayer requests and to thank God for answered prayer. SHEPHERDING - Seeks to involve and incorporate newer members into the Prayer Group. TEACHING - Conducts Prayer Meetings, Life in the Spirit Seminars and Evangelism Seminars. WOMEN'S GROUP - Reaches out to women of the parish. YOUTH GROUP - Reaches out to the young people. Over the years the Lord has blessed our many ministries and those who have served the Lord through them. As we come to the beginning of a new millennium we are filled with the hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit. We know that we are children of God our Father, with Mary the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. We remember the words of Jeremiah 29:11 - 14
For I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for harm! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot.
