By Jennifer Willems of The Catholic Post
Reprinted with permission from The Catholic Post, newspaper of the Diocese of Peoria
People of faith throughout central Illinois are being invited to answer the church’s universal call to holiness at the 22nd annual Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, which is planned for Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.
Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Charismatic Renewal, “Called to be Holy” will be held at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria. Speakers for this year’s conference are Patti Gallagher Mansfield of New Orleans, a pioneer in the charismatic renewal of the Catholic Church, and Peter Herbeck, vice president and director of missions for Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Joining them on Friday night will be Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who will celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit for conference participants at 8 p.m. A Holy Hour follows, with a rosary and reflections led by Father Francis Gallagher of Epiphany Parish in Normal.
“I just want this to be for God’s glory and a blessing for his people,” said Sharon Martin of Mackinaw, who is chairing the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference with her husband, Paul. They are members of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton.
Assisting them in preparation to lead next year’s gathering is Mary Jane Sheldon of St. Mary’s Parish in Downs.
“EVERYTHING is a gift --- holiness is a gift,” Sharon Martin said, adding that this is a gift that God wants every person to have and use.
“For our part, we can perform holy acts and be holy people, but in the end it is God’s grace,” she told The Catholic Post.
The supporting Scripture passage for the conference comes from Leviticus 19:2: “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”
The speakers for this year’s conference are uniquely qualified to help people claim and explore that gift, according to Martin.
“Peter Herbeck has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the world today and in the charismatic renewal worldwide,” she said. “He has the big picture and that’s what I like about him.”
In addition to his work for Renewal Ministries, Herbeck is the co-host for “The Choices We Face,” which can be seen on the Eternal Word Television Network, and the host of a daily radio program called “Fire on the Earth.” He is the author of “When the Spirit Speaks: Touches by God’s Word” and “When the Spirit Comes in Power: Rediscovering the Charismatic Dimension of the Christian Life.”
PATTI MANSFIELD was a participant at the February 1967 gathering at Duquesne University that is considered the beginning of charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church.
“We’ve heard her speak two or three times and we just love her testimony,” Martin told The Post.
“She is so down to earth and has so much humility,” Martin explained. “Her testimony is funny, engaging, spiritually uplifting and amazing.”
Patti is married to Al Mansfield, who is coordinator of Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans, and they serve as liaisons to Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans for the charismatic renewal. She is also the author of several books, including “As By a New Pentecost: The Dramatic Beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal” and “Magnificat: A Mother’s Reflections on Mary.”
“They inspire a desire in you to want more of God,” Martin said of Mansfield and Herbeck.
ONCE AGAIN serving as master of ceremonies for the conference is Father Eugene Radosevich, pastor of St. Luke’s Parish in Eureka, and assistant director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization. He is also the new director of the Newman Center at Eureka College.
Also returning is Bill Richart, a Catholic lay evangelist from Bay City, Mich., who will lead prayer and praise musically.
The cost to register for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, including lunch and dinner on July 26, is $70. The cost without meals is $50.
There is no charge for clergy, permanent deacons or women religious to attend, but registration is required so that meals can be reserved.
Registration must be completed by Tuesday, July 22, in order to be eligible for the meal plan.
In addition, the Holiday Inn is offering a conference rate of $75 per night on rooms reserved by Saturday, July 12. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel by calling (309) 674-2500.
Registration brochures have been sent to parishes around the Diocese of Peoria or may be downloaded from the conference Web site at www.CalledToBeHoly.org. The Web site also has more information about the conference schedule and speakers.
