By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

Ocean Grove, the long-standing Methodist Retreat Center on the Jersey Shore, came alive with song and praise June 7 as some 1,500 Catholics shared in the celebration of the birthday of the Church.

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Faithful from throughout the Diocese and beyond gathered on the Vigil of Pentecost with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and welcomed the coming of the Holy Spirit in their lives during a daylong diocesan Pentecost Rally and Retreat Day that had a Scripture-based theme, “All Together in One Place.”

From the reverent prayer service on the beach at sunrise to the joy-filled song and praise throughout the day, the rally offered participants of all ages the opportunity to deepen their faith and strengthen their unity as one people of God.   Compelling stories shared by featured speakers moved participants to tears and laughter, and the Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell drew the throng around the table of the Lord.   In between the scheduled offerings, there were opportunities to browse the displays of religious goods that were set up by Catholic vendors or relax and enjoy sharing fellowship over lunch.

“…And so here we are, over 1,000 strong, 2,000 years later, disciples of the Lord Jesus ‘all together in one place’…all filled with the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop O’Connell during the Mass he celebrated.

Recounting Pope Francis’ recent address to the more than 50,000 people who gathered in Rome’s Olympic Stadium for the 37th National Charismatic Renewal Convention, Bishop O’Connell spoke of the “power-filled assembly” in attendance.

The people were power-filled “not simply because of the power of the Holy Father and his awesome presence, but, rather, because of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop O’Connell. “That power fills us here today.”

Bishop O’Connell quoted Pope Francis’ comments that Charismatics “have received a great gift from the Lord” and “were born of the will of the Spirit as a ‘current of grace in the Church and for the Church.’”

“That is how Pope Francis described you in the Charismatic Renewal Movement,” said Bishop O’Connell. “You are a current of grace with the Holy Spirit as your source. And with the Holy Spirit as the source of this current of grace, no one can ever pull the plug!”

‘By The Power of the Holy Spirit’

The spirit of this year’s Pentecost observance was further enriched by its  multicultural approach in which members of the diocese’s various Catholic Charismatic communities – Anglo, Hispanic, Filipino and Haitian – celebrated together the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Noted Scripture scholar and nationally known Charismatic leader, Father Bill Halbing, delivered an invigorating bilingual keynote address in English and Spanish, during which he reflected on the power of the Holy Spirit and exhorted the faithful to allow themselves to become embraced by that power.

Interspersing his presentation with humor and Scripture passages, he urged his Catholic audience to “get into the fire” of the Holy Spirit, especially as they deal with the daunting challenges in their daily lives and in their faith lives.

“You need the Holy Spirit, we need the Holy Spirit,” he said.

 A compelling witness was shared by an emotional Deacon Benito DeJesus Torres of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, and diocesan liaison of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for the Hispanic community. He recounted becoming involved with the charismatic movement, his decision to pursue a vocation as a deacon and how his total trust and faith in God helped him to deal with the death of his son who was shot and killed by gang members in 1996 and ultimately led him to forgive the men who had killed his son.

Edmee Fenelon, a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who now resides in Bellerose, N.Y., was invited by the Haitian Catholic Charismatic community members to share her “personal experience of God’s love and power” as she dealt with overcoming severe multiple health issues over an extended period of time – a metastatic cancer diagnosis and being told there was no hope for a cure, cardiac arrest, surgery for a collapsed gall bladder and hemorrhaging.

“I firmly believe this was again a manifestation of God’s mercy and power. I also believe that our Blessed Mother interceded for me,” Fenelon said. “For four years I was placed on chemotherapy. I was in a wheelchair. I was told that I would never walk,” she said, then reiterated how her Catholic faith led to her healing. “I am humbled to be here, to be a living testimony of God’s divine mercy and love.”

Spirit-filled Children

While adults had convened for their offerings in the Great Auditorium, a special track for youngsters was held across the street in the Youth Temple where  more than 200 children, ages three to 10, enjoyed themselves in a series of activities that included making banners that they would carry before the celebration of Mass and participating in fun games.

Shon Montano, a member of St. Dorothea Parish, Eatontown, and the coordinator of the Young Servants of the Lord youth group there, helped with organizing the children’s activities in the Youth Temple.

“I think this is great,” Montano said as he observed some 35 volunteers, mostly catechists from parishes around the Diocese, supervise the offerings for the youngsters.  “The Pope asked everyone to be united and it is trickling down. I am so happy our Bishop responded to his call.”

Josh Viel, 9, of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, spoke about how much he was enjoying the day. “We got to do activities and music. I liked the Mass and the music there.”

Before the final blessing at the end of Mass, Bishop O’Connell spoke of his journey with diabetes then humbly asked the gathering to offer prayers for his recovery. The congregation immediately extended their hands as Father Kegley led them in prayer.

“On this eve of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit may seem to have arrived a bit early in Ocean Grove. But for us as a charismatic people of faith, the Holy Spirit can never come too early or too often. So let’s pray, with complete assurance, all together in one place: Come Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, light the hearts of your faithful and enkindle them in the fire of your love.”

Monitor correspondent Lois Rogers contributed to this story.