By Dave Jolivet
PROVIDENCE, R.I., — The Dunkin Donuts Center at 1 Lasalle Square in downtown Providence will be the hub of the Charismatic movement in the U.S. from July 29 to July 31.
The 55th Anniversary Celebration celebration of the Charis USA Conference is expected to draw thousands of worshipers to the three-day event which will be filled with inspirational speakers, Mass, Adoration, prayer and worship, all invoking the powers and blessings of the Holy Spirit.
According to the website, Charis.International, “Prayer Groups, Covenant Communities, Renewal Centers, Ministries, Clergy, Religious and individuals from across the nation and from different language groups will come together to pray in unity and be sent out with hearts on fire to fulfill the Charis commission for each person who has received Baptism in the Holy Spirit to: bring Baptism in the Holy Spirit to the whole Church, build unity in the body of Christ, and serve the poor.”
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement has now reached more than 160 million people worldwide. The July conference will be the first-ever in person Charis USA National Conference.
Main speakers scheduled to appear are: Bishop Andrew Cozzens; Bishop Peter Smith; Andres Arango; Rev. Guillermo Campuzano, CM; Père Dimitri Démesmin; Msgr. Joseph Malagreca; Andrés Arango; Robert Canton; Alicia Hartle; Marcos Garcia; and Dr. Elaine Agyemang Tontoh, PhD.
According to the website, helping to organize the event, along with Charis USA are members of Pentecost USA (formerly NSC). They will support “1) the administration and 2) the launch and support of teams with appointed Renewal Leaders from each of the language groups led by the Renewal Leaders.”
The conference will include tracks in English, Haitian, Hispanic, Filipino, and a track for young adults.
The theme of the weekend celebration is, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one Baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
The Spirit-filled event will open at 7 p.m. on July 29, with a keynote address at 8 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 8:45 p.m. and the day one session will conclude at 10:15 p.m.
Day two, on Saturday, opens at 8:30 a.m. with tracks in the aforementioned groups until noon. After a lunch break, the tracks will gather again from 2 to 5 p.m., with Mass celebrated for each track.
Dinner follows and the evening schedule includes the Main Conference at 7 p.m., which includes praise and worship, speakers and a healing service. A Holy Hour and procession will take place from 9:15 to 10:15 p.m.
The final day, Sunday, opens with praise and worship at 8:30 a.m. A discussion panel is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. followed by the celebration of Mass at 11 a.m. The conference will conclude at 1 p.m.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.charis.International and click on 55th Anniversary Catholic Charismatic Renewal Celebration, or visit the Charis USA site at web.cvent.com.
