Who I Am In Christ
A Life in the Spirit seminar is a weekend of talks designed to lead Catholics into a deeper understanding and experience with the Holy Spirit. St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint, Texas has been the site of two Life in the Spirit Conferences. These are an independent version of the standardized “seminars.”
The 2009 conference featured Deacon Alex Jones of Detroit, Michigan, former Pentecostal pastor and very charismatic. This year, in 2010 Fr. Bob  Hogan (BBD) came from the Arch Diocese of San Antonio. Fr. Bob is part of the National Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal, where he has authored several articles for their publications. He is the liaison for the Charismatic Renewal in San Antonio.
Since Fr. Bob was coming to the Diocese of Tyler for the weekend, the Bishop, Alvaro Corrada, asked for Fr. Bob to come an extra day early to speak at a Clergy Day. Over 60 priests from across East Texas sat attentively on Thursday to hear two generous talks on opening your parish to the work of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Bob’s youthful spirit and humor kept the priests alert.
 The actual conference began Friday night with a healing mass, like the one Tyler has once a month, year round. This was a great way to begin the conference and enter into God’s presence. The theme was “Who I Am in Christ.” Josh Langer set the tone for the weekend with stirring contemporary worship with his guitar. Fr. Bob Hogan led the opening mass and boldly proclaimed his homily “Who is Christ?” At the end of the mass Fr. Bob invited all seeking the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the girt of Tongues, to meet in a group at the back of the sanctuary. It was very gentle instruction leading these folks to open up and let the Spirit take over. (This prayer time was recorded and available online. Click here to listen) About 20 attendees participated and entered into this time of prayer.
Saturday at the Life in the Spirit Conference featured multiple speakers and  sessions. These all took place in beautiful, spacious Peaches Hall. The guests that day heard Fr. Bob speak twice more: his testimony, “A New Creation in Christ,” and “Prayer as a new Creation.”
Josh Langer leads the school of worship at the local ministry, Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Josh, a native of Germany, is a gifted singer and teacher. He taught that morning session, “The Power from on High.” Josh (pronounced Yosh) is a dynamic speaker with a heart for the world. He was a wonderful addition to this year’s conference.
Josh also presented two worship times with his guitar to begin the morning and afternoon sessions.
 Deacon Gary Trevino serves at St Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Lufkin, Texas. He brought his testimony entitled “My Salvation in Jesus.” Deacon Gary kept the group in stitches with his down-to-earth southern style, compared to Fr. Bob, originally from Ohio and Josh with his slight German accent. It made for quite an entertaining mix.
Saturday night the three speakers participated in the regular Saturday vigil mass at 5:00. The majority in attendance had not been at the conference. This made the mass a real evangelization event, allowing a larger group to benefit from Fr. Bob’s ministry. His homily at the three weekend masses was “A Brand New Heart.” Fr. Bob used several heart-shaped prop s to demonstrate ways God wants to change our hearts.
Sunday Fr. Bob shared his heart message at both masses. This was such a great way to reach many people with a taste of our conference.
The Charismatic Renewal in East Texas is growing steadily through this determined ministry of Healing Masses, prayer meetings and Life in the Spirit Conferences. If you would like to begin this kind of ministry in your area, please contact Kerygma USA through this website.
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