STEUBENVILLE, OH—Do you want to deepen your understanding of the Holy Spirit and the strength he imparts to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ?

Participants at the Power and Purpose Conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville, June 5-7, 2015, will unpack the theme, “Full of Grace, Full of Life,” and focus on how Catholics today, like the Blessed Virgin Mary in Luke 1:35, can let the power of the Holy Spirit overshadow their lives to bring Christ to the world.

“Pope Francis has called all Catholics to embrace the Holy Spirit in a new way and to let him nudge us out of our comfort zones,” says John Beaulieu, director of Engagement and Partnerships for Franciscan University’s Christian Outreach Office. “The Holy Spirit is the activating agent of all ministry and the guiding principle in our personal pursuit of holiness. We cannot transform the world until we let the Holy Spirit transform us.”

Formerly called the Catholic Charismatic Conference, the Power and Purpose Conference will provide many opportunities for spiritual renewal with dynamic talks, the sacrament of reconciliation, Mass, adoration, fellowship, and praise and worship, led by Catholic musician Bob Rice.

One keynote speaker is Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, who travels the country spreading Jesus’ message of Divine Mercy and is the author of the popular Marian devotion, 33 Days to Morning Glory. He will speak on “Discerning With the Spirit: Now Is the Time for Mercy” and “Marian Consecration and Its Impact on the Church Today.”

“Mary’s whole being is to bring us to the mercy of God,” says Father Gaitley. “I believe the triumph of her Immaculate Heart is the triumph of Divine Mercy, because that’s the spark that will prepare the world for the Lord’s final coming.”

Other key speakers and topics include:

• Paul George, director of Adore Ministries, on “Overshadowed by the Power of the Most High”;
• Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, evangelist and author of The Mass in Sacred Scripture, on “An Apocalyptic Awakening: The Message of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Our World” and “Behold Your Mother: The Marian Heart of Suffering”;
• Sister Ann Shields, SGL, evangelist and author, on “Discipleship and the Call of the Holy Spirit to Those Who Will Listen” and “Surrendering to the Will of God.”

Also speaking will be: Bishop Burchell A. McPherson, DD, of Montego Bay, Jamaica; John Beaulieu, with Franciscan University’s Christian Outreach Office; Mark Nehrbas, director of Development at Franciscan University; Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, conference speaker and pilgrimage leader; Father Shawn Roberson, TOR, director of the Priestly Discernment Program at Franciscan University; and Kelly Wahlquist, assistant director for the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The conference begins Friday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m., and concludes on Sunday, June 7, by 12:30 p.m., after the closing Mass.

One fruit of the Franciscan University adult conferences is the power to bring people to Christ. This year, past participants are encouraged to invite a friend who has yet to experience the beauty of a Steubenville conference. The past attendee and first-time attendee will each receive $20 off their registration.

To register for this conference or for more information, visit the Adult Conference website, or contact Steubenville Conferences at 740-283-6315 or [email protected].

Celebrating 40 Years

The first Franciscan University of Steubenville Conference was held 40 years ago, when more than 500 priests affiliated with the Catholic charismatic renewal gathered under a tent on the campus of Franciscan University. Since that summer in 1975, the conferences have grown to provide spiritual renewal each summer to over 50,000 priests, deacons, seminarians, youth, young adults, religious educators, and adults who attend conferences held in 12 states and two Canadian provinces.