Catholic Charismatic Renewal annual conference set for March 29-31

The annual Southern Regional Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal will be held March 29-31 at the Copeland Tower Suites and Conference Center in Metairie. The conference theme is “The Spirit of Truth: Signs, Wonders, Miracles.”

Conference speakers include Dr. Mary Healy, a seminary Scripture professor who travels widely with a ministry of praying for charismatic healing; Father Mathias Thelen, a pastor and theologian with Encounter Ministries; and Barbara Heil, a former Pentecostal evangelist who converted to the Catholic Church. 

Others featured will be Deacon Larry and Andi Oney, who have an international ministry, and Casey Sprehe of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The conference begins March 29 at 7 p.m. and concludes March 31 with an 11 a.m. Mass, and attendance at single sessions is available. A pre-conference Mass of Intercession celebrated by Father Deogratias Ekisa, vice rector of Notre Dame Seminary, March 29 at 3:30 p.m.

The Joyful Noise music ministry, directed by Lynn Mondt, will lead music. NoLoudRocks, a youth band led by Leslie Bertucci, will provide music for the Late Night Worship and for the workshops Saturday afternoon. Also, Poor Clare Sister Briege McKenna has gifted CCRNO with a large Divine Mercy Image from Poland that will be venerated on stage during the conference.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond will welcome the attendees on March 29 at 7 p.m., followed by Heil’s keynote address. At 10 p.m., Late Night Worship for adults and youth will begin in the ballroom, with praise and eucharistic adoration.

The session March 30 will begin with 9 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Thelen, followed by a testimony by Andi Oney and a talk by Healy. At 2 p.m., Sprehe will lead a workshop on  “Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Truth.” At 3 p.m., the Oneys will present teaching and prayer for empowerment by the Holy Spirit entitled, “Anointing, Fall On Us.”

The Saturday night session will feature praise and worship led by Deacon Oney and a healing service with Healy and Father Thelen, who have a charismatic charism of praying for healing with amazing responses to prayer.

On March 31 at 9 a.m., Heil will speak on “Power Evangelism,” followed by a eucharistic healing service, procession and benediction led by Father Bill Henry. Father Thelen will celebrate the closing Mass at 11 a.m.

Early registration is encouraged, and discounts are available for pre-registration. No pre-registration is needed for single sessions or the Saturday afternoon family session. All priests, religious brothers and sisters, deacons and their families are invited to attend the conference at no charge, but pre-registration is requested.

The fee schedule is as follows: individual adult, $60 ($70 on-site); married couple, $80 ($90 on-site); family, same household, $90 ($100 on site); single sessions, $25 on-site; youth participation to age 30, apart from family registration, only $20; All-Day Saturday, $50.

For additional information on the schedule, contact the Conference Office at 828-1368 or email: [email protected]. The website is www.ccrno.org.