Scottish Catholic Observer

Members of the community, which has its roots in the Charismatic Renewal Movement, were delighted to welcome Archbishop Tartaglia and his predecessor as Archbishop of Glasgow, Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti, along with a number of clergy and guests to their headquarters in Glasgow’s south side for the evening of celebration.

David and Margaret McGill, who were presented with Archdiocesan medals at last Thursday’s Mass, co-founded The Community of the Risen Christ in January 1981. The couple had attended their first Charismatic prayer meeting in 1975 and soon experienced the ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit.’

Reflecting on those early days, Mr McGill said: “We knew there was more God wanted to do with us and we knew it had to do with community.”

The goal of the Community of the Risen Christ is to have faith-filled Christians living in community experiencing the full life of the Holy Spirit.

As John Jackson, senior co-ordinator of the Community of the Risen Christ, highlighted, many difficulties beset the Christian in today’s western society, ‘with fewer Catholics attending Mass and many unclear about doctrine and morality.’

Archbishop Tartaglia said that it was ‘both a joy and an honour’ to be present with the community at last Thursday’s celebration.

Members of the Community of the Risen Christ live in their own homes, attend their own parishes and work in secular employment. They do, however, commit to attending prayer meetings, participate in faith sharing groups and contribute some of their time and money to move forward the community’s objectives.

“We see God acting in similar ways in many other Church movements and organisations,” Mr Jackson said.

—[email protected]

Pic: Paul McSherry

—This story ran in full in the December 6 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.