Story by Armando Machado | Correspondent

The power of the Holy Spirit was the focus of an all-day Hispanic conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It was an emotion-filled gathering of the Diocese of Trenton Hispanic Charismatic community, which drew more than 700 men, women and children June 10 to the gymnasium of Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton.

To see photo gallery on this story, click here.

Also present was Deacon Benito Torres, lead conference organizer, who serves as diocesan liaison for the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the diocesan CCR Steering Committee.

The morning presentation was preceded by Mass celebrated by Father Cesar Rubiano, pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton.

 “How good it is that we can begin this day with the power of God,” Father Rubiano said. “When the Spirit is not present, there is death,” he added, noting problems with families, communities and societies. But with the Spirit, he said, comes the “breath of life” (aliento de vida).

Father Rubiano also stressed the special significance of maintaining faith in God and remembering the Lord first above all other things. This will greatly help, he asserted, in facing and coping with difficulties and challenges associated with the rest.

 “We ask that this morning we also feel the presence of Holy Mary (Santa Maria),” Father Rubiano said. “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the Church. Thank you, Lord, for the presence of our brothers and sisters who are here with us today.”

 During the morning presentation,“Si conocieras el don de Dios,” (If you only knew the gift of God), keynote speaker Neil Velez explained that the gift of the Holy Spirit is already obtained by all baptized Catholics, who need only remember it, acknowledge it, feel it, and activate it to obtain all its power and grace.

This can be done, he said, through daily prayer, frequent Scripture reading, and an ongoing dialogue with God. The dialogue, he noted, must be filled with gratitude, not just requests, and one must listen, not just talk.

 “There are too many problems in the world today,” said Velez, who is internationally known for delivering messages of faith, prayers for the sick, and powerful testimonies of healing. He continued, saying there are mounting problems at all levels, within all entities, and that there must be resistance against temptation and against evil. He alluded to what many religious and secular leaders worldwide consider to be current uncertain times.

Velez is a musician, composer and founder of “Misioneros de Jesus” (Missionaries of Jesus), based in Union City, N.J. His presentation, which lasted more than two hours, included moving songs from his ministry band, which added to the emotional and spiritual heights of the conference.

 Among the conference attendees was Elena del Carmen Florian, a parishioner in Our Lady of the Angels, Trenton. “I could not miss this special event that celebrates 50 years of the Charismatic Renewal,” said Florian, 44, who joined the Catholic Charismatic movement 10 years ago while she was still in her native Guatemala. “I was active with the movement in my country, and I remain active with it here. I asked for time off from work so that I could attend the event.”

Pedro J. Batista, a parishioner in St. Anthony Claret, Lakewood, also attended the gathering. “I have a great devotion to the Holy Spirit,” Batista said. “I very much liked the (conference) points about the importance of prayer, about living a prayerful life, a spiritual life. I was touched,” he said. Batista, 40, has been with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since he was 17, when he was living in his native Dominican Republic.