But although he was in the "charismatic" movement, he was one of the most conservative priests I have ever met - there was nothing liberal about him. He participated in human chains around a local hospital that did abortions and called Clinton an "immoral man" during a homily the week before the 1996 elections.
>>About the only thing he changed was adding the holding of hands during the Lord’s Prayer during one of the Masses - and that was pushing things in our parish.<<
That’s interesting... when my parents got married it was considered something of a mixed marriage -Privative Baptist and Southern Baptist with preachers in the family on both sides. One big difference was over whether there should be cushions on the pews and whether having an organ in church was sinful.
We have fairly traditional masses and most people hold hands during the Lord's Prayer. Charismatic Catholicism or Pentecostal Catholicism is much more. The laying on of hands and speaking in tongues appear to be central. Apparently there is much discussion among the Bishops - not that it's wrong, just that it's not Catholicism. THere is an interesting article here: http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=6587
This is an excerpt:
"It is interesting to note that Catholic Pentecostal groups hold their meetings very often on college campuses as well as in church halls and private homes. Such Pentecostal meetings generally exhibit the following sequence of events. Participants at first pray in their own way in silence. Then a member of the assembly will utter a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. Another will read a Biblical text, and then improvise spontaneously a prayer based on the passage read. A hymn or song will then be sung by someone, and everyone may or may not join in the singing. A number of testimonies may be rendered, i.e., members will tell what remarkable things may have happened to them that made them aware of God's forgiveness, mercy, and presence. Oftentimes, it may be a question of amazing "cures" and "healings." A member may suddenly begin to sing softly in a language which is not recognizable. His neighbors may begin praying for an "interpretation," or another member will render the "interpretation." Someone may "prophesy." Musical instruments such as guitars and drums are often in evidence, especially with younger audiences. At the end of the meeting, there may be exchanged the "kiss of peace" involving warm and fond embraces and actual kisses. For the most part the entire atmosphere of the meeting, though it is not as emotionally charged as some Protestant groups, nevertheless, bears the stamp of a revivalist camp meeting."
The Holy Spirit gives us gifts in baptism/confirmation to use for the upbuilding of the Church. Some of those gifts are more noticeable than others, but as Paul in Corinthians says, they are all vital and part of the same body. Teaching, prophecy, administration, generosity, tongues, gifts of healing, interpretation of tongues. Love and obedience should be at the core of each.
This is an excellent book about the Holy Spirit within the life of the Church by Catholic author Alan Schreck (no, not the green Shrek he he...). http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Aflame-Spirit-Heart-Christian/dp/0892839198/ref=sr_1_8/002-2945002-6828062?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175620924&sr=1-8