Father Michael Becker wants the faithful to know that “God wants to raise up everybody” with charisms, so that they might exercise them and allow the body of Christ “to be really alive.”
Father Becker — recently appointed vicar of charisms for the Archdiocesan Synod implementation — told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley during a recent interview that the newness of this position has created an opportunity of “learning as we go.”
“I believe my responsibility (in this role) is first and foremost to help people come to a greater experience of The Holy Spirit, and then to come to know the charisms that the Holy Spirit’s pouring out upon them so they can exercise those on behalf of the body of Christ,” Father Becker said.
The word “charism” comes from the Greek meaning of “gift” or “grace,” Father Becker said. He said he views his role as a way to lead the faithful to receive and exercise these graces, such as wisdom, counsel, understanding, piety and fear of the Lord.
“We receive charisms with the Holy Spirit,” Father Becker said. “We have to come to know the Holy Spirit first. If we go through life and we don’t have a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, we don’t know the Holy Spirit filling our souls — as Jesus says, the Holy Spirit is living water.”
Ordained in 1999, Father Becker is currently pastor of Sts. Joachim and Anne in Shakopee. Prior to that, he was parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist in New Brighton, pastor of St. Michael in St. Michael, and was also the rector at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul. He also worked with West St. Paul-based NET Ministries and Mendota Heights-based St. Paul’s Outreach.
During his interview with “Practicing Catholic,” Father Becker encouraged listeners to pray and invite the Holy Spirit into their lives.
“Those listening here today could say a simple prayer: Holy Spirit, baptize me in your presence. Fill me anew with your presence, pour out your charisms, your gifts upon me, and help me to know what they are. … I want to know your friendship more. Make yourself known to me.”
Looking ahead, Father Becker said there will be new opportunities to respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation.
The first Father Becker mentioned is an opportunity for the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to participate in a retreat focused on the Holy Spirit during a weekend in early January 2024. Father Becker said this retreat will become a yearly offering
The second opportunity Father Becker mentioned is that every second Saturday of the month, the 5:15 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul “will be focused on the Holy Spirit.” Following the Mass will be a “praise and worship-style prayer time.”
The third opportunity Father Becker mentioned is a 10-week course called the School of Charism Discovery, launching in spring 2024. The course will take place from February to April, Father Becker said, and will include teachings on the charisms and in-depth prayer.
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. June 30 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. July 1 and 2 p.m. July 2.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Colin Miller, founder of the Center for Catholic Social Thought in St. Paul and director of pastoral care and outreach at Assumption in St. Paul, and Laura Haraldson, facilitator of the Archdiocesan Synod implementation.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
