S.C. Charismatic Conference set for Oct. 27-29

COLUMBIA — The 2006 S.C. Catholic Charismatic Conference will be Oct. 27-29 at St. John Neumann School on Polo Road. Father Richard McAlear, of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, will be the guest speaker.

Father McAlear, a native of Boston, Mass., became involved in the Catholic charismatic renewal and entered into the healing ministry in 1976. His ministry has taken him to every part of the United States, Asia, South America, Canada, Australia, New Guinea, Guatemala, Italy, France, Portugal and most recently Scotland.

He speaks at retreats, conferences and seminars for priests, deacons and other religious associates in various countries.

He preaches in various parishes where he conducts healing services, weekend renewal retreats, parish missions and days of teaching.

In addition, Father McAlear is a popular pilgrimage director who has taken hundreds of pilgrims to the Holy Land, Marian Shrines and on other numerous journeys. The Oblate community has asked him to direct their Renewal Program in Provence, France.

Father McAlear teaches that the blessing of the Holy Spirit imparts a gift of understanding that both heals and renews the wounded heart.

The priest said that  he was called to religious life to bring this message of God’s love and peace to believers who earnestly, and sometimes almost desperately, seek the “Spirit of Truth.”

Father believes that the greatest healing comes through Eucharist. Therefore, during Mass, he instructs those who receive the Holy Eucharist to enter into the healing process by taking their needs and infirmities to the Lord at the very moment they receive the Eucharist.

The Catholic charismatic renewal is a movement within the Church emphasizing the experience of “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” often accompanied by such gifts as healing and the gift of tongues. Though the gifts are given to Christians at baptism, those involved in the renewal seek to develop and use those gifts.

Preregistration for the Charismatic Conference is $20; cost on site is $25; Saturday only is $10.

For information contact Ron Falter at (803) 782-1471 or rrfalter@cs.com or Ross Gamble at (803) 788-4480 or rbgam2@juno.com.