Role of Spirit is talk topic

"A lot of people don't know the power of the Holy Spirit. They struggle in their prayer life, and they have a deep hunger to know God," said Rev. Bill Halbing, pastor of St. Antoninus Church in Newark, N.J.

He hopes to rectify those shortcomings when he talks at "How the Holy Spirit is Speaking to the World Today" at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park, May 19-20.

The Diocesan Service Committee for Catholic Charismatic Renewal is sponsoring the workshop.

Getting to heaven

Father Halbing, who has been involved in the charismatic renewal since 1975, has led missions around the world because "people wish to have a deeper spiritual experience of God but don't know how get it.

"If you ask the average Catholic, 'How do you get into heaven?' they usually respond that it's by being a 'good' person. They rarely mention having a relationship with Jesus Christ. They don't mention the cross or even the importance of prayer in their lives.

"Additionally, people tell me that they are often disappointed in their faith experience at weekend liturgies. They want to hear the truth, yet often they feel as if they are being preached to but not challenged by what they hear spoken from the pulpit."

Challenges

At the weekend event, Father Halbing will give talks "that cover both the Old and New Testaments. There is opportunity for participants to apply what we discuss in their daily lives. We talk about the importance of prayer for empowerment, and we renew our Baptismal vows. We are introduced to the power of the Holy Spirit and how we can utilize that power."

The priest intends to challenge those who attend. "I'm an evangelist," he explained, "and it is important to me that I challenge people so they are able to grow in the Lord. I don't want to give people just a nice, comfortable time. They cannot grow if they are not challenged.

"If I don't preach the Word evangelically, the challenge is not there. Often, when people hear the Word preached in this way, they are empowered. That is the work of the" Holy Spirit.

Pentecost

Since Pentecost (celebrated on June 4 this year) marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Father Halbing said that his talk is being held at an opportune time.

"You might say I am a 'Catholic-costal' because I always begin my talks with the mystery of the Pentecost," he said. "I am a Catholic priest who loves Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the power and great proclamation of the Gospel message."

(To register for the event, call 371-7911. Registration at the door begins at 6:30 p.m. on May 19.)

(5/11/06) [[In-content Ad]]