'Many gifts, one Lord'

By Blanca Morales - Florida Catholic

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

A woman named Carmen from the charismatic prayer group at St. John Neumann Parish in Miami prays during the annual Catholic Charismatic Conference, which drew about 500 people to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami Feb. 19-21.

MIAMI � Many were the gifts, many were the tongues, many were the parishes represented at the annual Catholic Charismatic Conference, but Jesus was the Lord of all.

Held Feb. 19-21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami, the 29th annual conference drew about 500 people to praise God and hear talks by guest speakers.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Charismatic conference participant Oscar Robles reads about the gifts of the Holy Spirit at the youth session.

There are about 35 English-speaking charismatic prayer groups throughout the archdiocese and twice as many in Spanish, along with a number of Portuguese, Creole, Filipino and Indian language groups.

Charismatic spirituality, according to Stephen B. Clark�s book, �Charismatic Spirituality�, involves �approaching particular areas of Christian life, like prayer and worship or evangelism, by expecting the Holy Spirit to make direct, experiential contact for us with God.�

The Charismatic Renewal has allowed Catholics to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in daily life as the Apostles did on Pentecost.

The theme of the conference this year was �Jesus is Lord.� The weekend consisted of teachings, testimonies, uplifting music, Mass and a healing service.

Among the many speakers was Jim Murphy from Ferrysburg, Mich., who is a member of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service and founder of Vera Cruz Communications. He is known for his 1992 cross-country trek on foot while carrying a six-foot cross, an effort at prayer and evangelization inspired by his reading of the American bishops� pastoral letter, �Heritage and Hope�. Today he gives parish missions and speaks at retreats.

Mary Horvath, who along with her husband Jim serves as lay coordinator of the movement in the archdiocese, was enthusiastic about how many south Florida Catholics attended the conference, and said she was even more uplifted by seeing how many youths were present.

 

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Charismatic conference speaker Jim Murphy begins his talk with a prayer.

As the adult sessions took place in the parish hall, the young people took part in their own sessions, led by young men and women of St. Paul�s Outreach, a Catholic charismatic and evangelistic university ministry.

The conference ended with a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Est�vez on Sunday morning.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Natasha Perez of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish's music ministry, helps lead the worship during the annual Catholic Charismatic Conference which drew about 500 participants to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami Feb. 19-21.