On Saturday and Sunday, Convention goers could attend workshops and general sessions given by, in addition to Babsie Bleasdell, Abbot David Geraets who has been actively involved in giving retreats, missions, spiritual direction and evangelization on a world-wide basis, Deacon Bill Brennan, a member of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Fr. John Campoli, whom the Lord uses for anointed preaching and healing of God's people, Sr. Dolores Cazares, a nun for over 40 years, who has been wonderfully used by God's Spirit for the ministry of inner healing and spiritual direction, and Bob Canton who lets the Lord use him to touch hundreds with Jesus' healing power. The Youth Ministers, Jim and Sharon Ditmore, and their team helped the youth and children experience the love Jesus has for them. The familiar Praise and Worship songs could be heard everywhere, even during lunch and dinner breaks, and people sang along spontaneously giving glory to our awesome God.
This year the phenomenon known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It started when in 1967 a handful of students and professors got together for a retreat weekend at Dusquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. From this small beginning, the movement has grown to in excess of 70 million Catholics in 110 countries around the world. Many think this Renewal is a direct result of Pope John XXIII's prayer: ``Renew Thy wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost.'' In the 1984 U.S. Bishops' Pastoral letter on the Charismatic Renewal we read that it is ``not optional but essential and central to the Church.'' I've heard people tell me they keep the Charismatic Renewal ``at arm's distance'' because they think it is only for gregarious, boisterous people who want to display their emotions in public. Luckily, this is not true. I think sometimes that reluctance of attending a charismatic function on the part of some people might have been caused by an overzealous and insensitive ``Charismatic.'' The above fear is dispelled when you listen to the participants, like Barbara from Santa Cruz: ``I came burdened with my son's illness, and I received a lot of encouragement this weekend. Even though I'm shy, the Holy Spirit blessed me in obvious ways.''
Yes the love and joy of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ, could really be sensed--on the happy faces of the people as they participated in the vibrant Praise and Worship Music, sometimes in sweet love songs to the Lord, sometimes in upbeat songs clapping to the rhythm--in the attitudes of people, the spiritual hunger of those seeking Spirit-filled music tapes and books in the bookstore, and in the messages the speakers gave. Babsie Bleasdell spoke of God's steadfast love (John 3:16), and one of the attendees I interviewed, Patricia (Pat) from San Jose shared: ``By the grace of being here together, we open up to each other as a community, able to receive God's love and able to love one another and get out of ourselves. Be love to one another!'' `Auntie' Babsie also stressed the importance of obedience ``Get the power of the Holy Spirit to obey every Word the Lord tells you,'' and Fr. Campoli summed up his first workshop with ``Do what God tells you and miracles will happen in your life.'' This spoke to David from Sunnyvale who soon will start his studies for the priesthood, as he reiterated: ``I needed to be here, in touch with God. It's so important to come back on the path of the Spirit of God. Now I feel rejuvenated and back on the path God wants me to be on.''
Fr. John Campoli presided over Saturday night's liturgy, his face lit up with the joy of the Lord as he joined the approximately 2000 enthusiastic faithful worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth with out-stretched arms--an ancient Jewish prayer stance--humbling themselves reaching out to God as little children do to their daddy. Fr. Campoli was one of Pasquale and Frances' (from Walnut Creek) favored speakers, and they commented: ``What a fully alive mass! Wish we could have one like this every week!''
There was a place for quiet prayer also. The Chapel in the Bayshore room of the adjacent Westin Hotel saw many of God's people come and take turns to adore the Blessed Sacrament day and night. I also was aware of the power of Intercessory Prayer which started months before the Convention began and continued all through the weekend in a special room at the Westin Hotel where the Holy Spirit's presence was manifested in Charismatic Intercessory Prayer.
People new to the Charismatic Renewal had an opportunity to attend workshops on the ``Baptism in the Holy Spirit'' during the lunch breaks on Saturday and Sunday in a meeting room transformed into a place of prayer. Many experienced conversion, a new and deeper personal knowledge of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. In a lovely French accent Jacques from Carmel expressed it this way: ``I was very much touched by this convention--the love of the people, the beautiful music, and the presence of Jesus is very real. What touched me most is the expression on the faces of the people when they pray; I can see the intensity, they are very much committed to Jesus. I wish that every Catholic could experience the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is meant for the whole Church.''
Abbot David Geraets presided over the Closing Liturgy on Sunday and delivered the homily. He said: ``To be really Christian, we need a radical change, a transformation of personality, a salvation experience. People normally change only two ways; 1) through the process of really being loved, and 2) in suffering, i.e. toughening of the spirit. While we don't enjoy suffering, we do like the product that comes out of it.'' Elizabeth from Fairfield I think touched on that when she explained to me: ``The workshops and general session speakers gave me a lot of tools for my walk in life. I am prepared to go through trials now; this made me a stronger person. I am a single parent. Now I know I am never alone, I have Jesus as the head of my family and father of my small children. Thank you Jesus!'' One of the prophetic Words that came forth during this liturgy was: ``Consider the parable of the sower. Cultivate your soil so the seeds the Lord sowed this weekend can grow to full maturity.''
Young adults came out in full force. Teresa from San Jose, who came with many of her friends, had never been to a Charismatic Conference. She commented: ``I learned a lot. The great speakers inspired me and gave me a lot of things to think about now and in the days to come. The masses were totally on fire - the message and the music were great. I felt the Holy Spirit was running through the whole convention, filling everybody, no matter how much or how little faith one had coming in. I think a lot of people's lives were changed in just these last few days!'' Isn't it great to see the youth's response to God in faith out of their own free will? Their hearts were so full of joy and reverence for the Lord.
Yes, from what people shared with me and my own observations,
``Christ Jesus, The Fullness Of Our God'' could truly be felt during this
conference. God is so good!
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