Hundreds Attend Catholic Charismatic Conference

June 17, 2011 - 2:01 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

STEUBENVILLE, OH (June 17, 2011) - "In our times, we are surrounded by a people who are thirsty," said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR. "Fundamentally, there's this thirst for someone greater than ourselves. We have to know where to get a drink. Drink from the cross. There's satisfaction--drink from Jesus."

Father Pivonka, director of Post-Novitiate Formation for the Third Order Regular Sacred Heart Province, spoke at "Streams of Living Water," Franciscan University of Steubenville's 29th annual Catholic Charismatic Conference June 10-12. Over 700 conference-goers from 29 states and three countries, including 16 priests and 20 sisters, immersed themselves in the ocean of God's merciful love. Traveling from Canada and Haiti, California and Florida, and many points in between, people came to rejoice in life in the Holy Spirit, the source of the Church's life, over Pentecost weekend.

"It was uplifting, it was beautiful, and I feel blessed to have been here Pentecost Sunday," said Julie Madia from St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral, Florida. She said she felt challenged by the speakers to get involved and make a difference, since "we can't let the world go the way it's been going."

"The world out there seems to be in a process of desertification," said international evangelist Mark Nimo. "And so we pray and call on God, 'Let the rivers flow!' Where should the rivers flow? Let the living waters flow into our families, into our parishes and dioceses, into our governments!

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

"'Let the living waters flow' is a prayer, an invocation of the Holy Spirit, and it's all about prayer, it's all about invoking God's power upon the earth."

And, as Nimo declared, the waters of grace are flowing.

"The Lord is working in ways bigger than my understanding," said Jim Murphy, who gave an overview of the signs and wonders being worked by the Holy Spirit around the world. "There are places where the charismatic renewal is growing so fast, they can't even manage it." Murphy, director of the International Institute for Catholic Charismatic Leadership Formation, said, "There's one fire on earth I hope never gets contained, and it's this fire" of the Holy Spirit.

Participants joined in with Bob Rice and the music ministry in powerful times of praise and worship, kept the priests present busy hearing confessions, and adored the Eucharistic Lord through the celebration of the Mass and a Saturday night Holy Hour, led by Father Pivonka, and a healing service, led by Father Bill McCarthy, MSA, and Mary Alice Rossini of My Father's House Retreat Center.

"There were some very powerful talks, for sure, " said Father Kevin McCaffrey, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown at Our Lady of Victory in Andover, Ohio, and St. Patrick's parish in Kinsman, Ohio. "The highlight for me, though, was hearing confessions. I had three hours of confessions yesterday, and you could really feel the Holy Spirit there. That was a great grace for me, and I know my brother priests would probably say the same."

The main message of the conference, said Father McCaffrey, is "to be open to the Holy Spirit and not to underestimate his power. Over and over again, the speakers talked about being open, letting the river flow through us."

During the conference, Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, president emeritus of Franciscan University, a long-time leader in the charismatic movement in the Catholic Church, and founder of the summer conferences, was honored for being just such a canal for the river of God's grace. Father Pivonka was one of the speakers who paid tribute to Father Mike.

"I was listening to Father Mike's homily yesterday" on the feast of St. Barnabas, the 'son of encouragement,' said Father Pivonka, "telling us to thank the person who told you that you can do it and really encouraged you, and I was thinking, 'Mike, you're describing yourself to me!' I could not be here today if it wasn't for Father Michael Scanlan...So I want to honor Father Michael for his vision, his dreams, his not putting God in this box, for his getting up early in the morning and praying, for his staying up late at night and praying...

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

"One of the things that gives me greatest pleasure is being able to say Father Michael's my brother. I'm a little brother of his. He's mentored me and loved me and encouraged me. Father Michael, thank you for everything."

Video clips and more highlights of the Catholic Charismatic Conference can be found under News and Events at www.franciscan.edu. For audio recordings of the main talks by conference speakers, go to www.franciscan.edu/bookstore and click on the "Conferences" tab.

Upcoming Franciscan University summer conferences include the St. John Bosco Conference (July 20-24) for Catholic educators, the Applied Biblical Studies Conference (July 27-29) for anyone seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of Scripture, and the Defending the Faith Conference (July 29-31), which focuses on Catholic apologetics. For more information, including a complete list of conferences for adults and youth, go to www.franciscanconferences.com.

Contact

Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://www.franciscan.edu
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,

Keywords

charismatic, conference, summer, Pivonka, Nimo, Franciscan

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

We're Back - Greatest Meat on Earth

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

Download 100's of Prayers for free

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »