The Spirit took root in the Carroll College P.E. Center on Friday night. Over 500 people from across the diocese, Montana and other states came together for the 27th Helena Diocesan Holy Spirit Conference.

Bishop George Thomas gave a hearty welcome to conference attendees. In his homily, he spoke of the Holy Spirit as an agent of change, “catalyst that stirs God’s grace deep within our souls, the One who leads us into deep mystical union with the Lord Jesus, and into deep communion with the Church that was born of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Bishop Thomas encouraged people to open their hearts to “the sweeping, magnificent gift of metanoia – a change prompted by the Holy Spirit.”

Deacon Alex Jones, a nationally known charismatic speaker from Michigan, gave a rousing keynote address.

Deacon Jones explained his upbringing in the Pentecostal church, and how he gave up everything – a successful ministry, his livelihood, even friends and family members – in pursuit of the call from the Holy Spirit to become a Catholic.

Bill Richart of Michigan, another nationally known charismatic speaker, led the music ministry, with praise and worship times throughout the conference, and musical “responses” to the speakers.

Saturday was another full day at the Holy Spirit Conference. Father Patrick McGurk celebrated Mass, and advised the people there to keep an open mind.

His advice was to remain open, and the message would be apparent in the coming days. “What did the apostles think during the days around Pentecost?” he asked the crowd.

Six sessions of talks and music followed throughout the day. Sister Ana Pia Cordua, a Sister of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, gave the first talk. Father Marc Lenneman, director of Carroll College’s pastoral ministry, called her “one of the best servants.”

She talked about how important the spirit of evangelization is, why people should pray for a new Pentecost, and Mary’s role in it, she said.

There is a great desire to bring forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit at the coming of Christ through his mother, Sister Pia added. She asked the audience if they knew what the Ark of the Covenant was made of. The correct answer was incorruptible wood to protect the contents – Mary’s mission to bring forth the Messiah, Sister Pia said.

The apostles didn’t stay in the upper room of the last supper. Their hearts needed to go forth and look around, so the apostles did. That is the only way to build the Church, she explained.

The Holy Spirit calls us to be a new spring for the Church, in a search for holiness for life. If we are not living witnesses to Christ, we will fail. If we are true, the Holy Spirit will bring life.

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared to the apostles, who felt a living warmth.

Sister Pia also described love, in a way that Corinthians 13 does.

Father Eric Gilbaugh, pastor of the Three Forks and Belgrade churches, said forces of evil in the world are not kind and gentle. The devil tramples on dignity and beauty of life.

“What holds good people back?” he asked. Perhaps they think they have lost the war, or the world view of Christianity is oppressive, or good people have become confident.

Father Marc Lenneman, campus minister at Carroll College, said G.K. Chesterton was asked what needs to be done now. People need to be realists, he replied. The greatest reality is that we are loved by God and called into existence by love.

Another reality is that we know sin – God loved the world but we are sinners and the Church is a hospital for sinners. Be real about being sinners, he stated. We need to cleanse ourselves until sin is removed.

“I live to praise the Lord” and need more of Jesus, said Richart.

Deacon Jones said Catholics and Protestants see traditions differently, which is why dialogue is so important. Faith and morals are also viewed differently. He converted to Catholicism and became a permanent deacon.

He spoke mainly about St. Paul, who wrote most of the epistles, and St. Peter, who wrote two. Paul was exposed to more than Peter, had a formal education, was objective and a purist, Jones said. On the road to Damascus, Paul was not cleansed of sins. He had a conversion experience.

Jones also spoke Sunday morning on going forth in faith. “Do you want to hear from God today?” he asked. “We talk, then stop and listen for him to speak. Stand still and let him tell you.”

The conference ended with Mass, with Father Lenneman celebrating. He said, “We do not end the conference here. We prepare to go forward.”


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 25, No. 5, May 15, 2009.