The annual Camden Diocesan Charismatic Conference will take place at the Wildwood Convention Center from Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13.
This year’s theme is “Every Act Should Be Done With Love” (1 Cor 16:14).
This year’s gathering represents a milestone: it will be the 25th anniversary conference.
The charismatic movement received an unexpected boost this year from none other than Pope Francis.
Speaking to reporters on his return from Rio on July 28, he said that “at the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, I had no time for” charismatics. “Once speaking about them, I said: ‘These people confuse a liturgical celebration with samba lessons!'”
“Now I regret it,” he said. “Now I think that this movement does much good for the church, overall.”
Though not even half a century old, the movement claims that at least 120 million Catholics in 238 countries have been “baptized in the Holy Spirit,” according to a 2012 document published by International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services. The movement, which started in the United States, reports fast growth in Asia and Africa. But the world’s largest concentration of charismatics today is in Latin America.
Like Pentecostalism, charismatic Catholicism emphasizes the Holy Spirit, features faith healing and speaking in tongues and is spread by door-to-door evangelists. But the important roles it gives to Mary and the Eucharist ensure that charismatic devotion has a clear Catholic identity.
“I don’t think that the charismatic renewal movement merely prevents people from passing over to Pentecostal denominations,” Pope Francis said. “No! It is also a service to the church herself! It renews us.”
The master of ceremonies for the weekend in Wildwood will be Father Ariel Hernandez, pastor, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Newfield.
Guest speakers include Father Pio Mandato, a Franciscan priest living as a missionary hermit in the Diocese of Scranton, Pa.; Father Yvans Jazon, pastor of St. Monica Church, Atlantic City; Sister Theresa May, founder of the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth, in Tunkhannock, Pa.; and Kathleen McCarthy, host of In His Sign, a Catholic radio station broadcast out of Philadelphia.
The youth tracks, coordinated and co-led by Sandy and Jim Scheiner, are designed to inspire the young church with musicians who perform modern praise and worship songs.
CatholicFX will bring the message of Christ to the senior high youth. A ministry of young adults, the band plays a blend of upbeat, high-energy rock music with quiet, contemplative songs.
Working with the junior high youth will be the band Paging Samuel, based in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but with strong ties to South Jersey. The Junior High track will include music, skits and activities to help youth live their faith in new, exciting, and meaningful ways.
Conference registration for both youth and adult tracks is $40 at the door, which includes admission to the three-day conference only, and does not cover food or housing. For more information, call 609-522-5010, or e-mail support@camdencharistmatic.org.
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