The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office, based in Minneapolis, will host a conference on May 4 that aims to set its attendees on fire with the Holy Spirit, said Peter Yurek, a leader of the organization.
The conference at St. Peter in North St. Paul will be stacked with opportunities for formation and prayer, which Yurek outlined on this week’s “Practicing Catholic” radio show hosted by Patrick Conley.
Father Boniface Hicks, Benedictine monk of St. Vincent Archabbey and a Catholic priest and director of spiritual formation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, will speak at the event. Since 2010, Father Hicks has served as the programming manager and on-air contributor for “We Are One Body” Catholic radio. He has written books on spiritual direction and consecration to St. Joseph. His most recent book, “The Fruit of Her Womb,” on consecration to Jesus through Mary, was released last June.
The conference will center on the idea of charisms — gifts of the Holy Spirit that are unique to each individual — and geared toward the personal transformation.
Father Hicks said people do not have to be experts in charisms to attend the conference. On the contrary, “we receive divine power in human weakness. So, if you feel incapable, then you’re qualified,” he said.
Charisms are an integral part of being Catholic, Father Hicks said.
“The charisms are about … (God’s) life at work within us,” Father Hicks said. This involves praising God through the sacraments and “go(ing) out in the streets and invit(ing) people in. Really the greatest gift we can offer anyone is Jesus,” he said.
“Charisms are about coming into a saving encounter with Jesus Christ, a personal encounter with him,” Father Hicks said. “It has everything to do with being a Catholic … who is in discipleship and in relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For more information about the conference and to register, visit ccro-msp.org/spring-conference-2024charisms and tune into “Practicing Catholic” when it airs at 9 p.m. March 22 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, or when it repeats at 1 p.m. March 23 and 2 p.m. March 24.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes a discussion with Msgr. James Shea about his childhood on a farm and how it prepared him for his vocation. Also, Andrea Krautkramer, the small group coordinator from St. Hubert in Chanhassen, encourages all Catholics to join a small group and discusses what one could gain from doing so.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
