What an amazing weekend! The crowd was estimated around 4000 people. 50 participants were from Father Pisut’s parishes.
The choir was exceptional. Scott Reiker was the music director for the Mass. He incorporated the rich tradition of Catholic music. A choir formed by choir members throughout the diocese raised their voices in traditional hymnody, Gregorian chant, and sacred polyphony. Sheila Adams and Charlette Hunkele were participants from Sacred Heart parish. Suzanne Williamson was a representative from St. Francis of Assisi parish. Thanks ladies for lending you time and talent for the glorious Mass for this event.
Each speaker had an important and timely message. Cardinal Arinze spoke on the Eucharist and the teaching of the faith to your children. He highly recommended families to set aside a specific time during each day to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Visitors were not even to interrupt this practice and if they did not want to participate the families were to set aside a room for them until the reading was finished. The conference participants must have taken his message to heart because Lois Brookhart, the co-owner of Divine Treasures, said they were sold out of the catechism.
Marino Restrepo recounted his story of a life without faith and how it changed the day he was kidnapped by Columbian rebels. Kathleen Chester was especially touched by what God revealed to Marino about receiving Communion, She commented, “We carry Jesus within us when we receive Him in Communion and even the people that walk past us out in the world are affected by the power of His presence and that can change the world. Powerful. Every syllable he uttered landed on my soul. I might not be able to bring it all up for recall, but I carry the truth of his words with me. Overwhelmingly....avoid sin!” For more information about Marino press the following link: http://www.marinorestrepo.com/
Renne Bondi was such a profound woman of faith. She related the story of how she was leading such a beautiful life. She was hired to teach choir at a school where most of the students would rather be out surfing instead. The first day of class she had eighteen students but it grew to be 150 students. She was engaged to be married to her best friend. Then while she was sleeping she dove off the end of her bed and was paralyzed. She disclosed how God works through her husband, family and friends to bless her life. What a wonderful blessing she is and was to all of us this weekend. To purchase her story her some of her music please visit her website http://www.reneebondi.com/
Matthew Kelly is a very well known speaker for fortune 500 companies. He talked about the genius of Catholicism and how if we really lived the faith we could change the world. It would not be by our preaching but by the way we live our lives. People will be attracted to our Lord if we live the gospel. He gave us seven pillars on how to become a more dynamic Catholic. They can be found at his website http://www.dynamiccatholic.com/index.php. Click on the youtube tab on the right side.
On Sunday, the first speaker of the day was Father Wendell. He related his story of being a nominal Catholic, the last person any one would think about becoming a priest, to a dynamic priest who speaks at many conferences on the incredible mercy of God. He was clinically dead for three hours and tells of how God brought him back to life, not only physically but also spiritually.
The last speaker of the weekend was Magnus McFarlane-Barrow. Magnus inspired the conference goers with his mission to the poor. He is a co-founder along with his brother of Mary’s meals. Mary’s meals feeds over 400,000 children a day. In each community where Mary’s meal is provide the local people are the ones who prepare the meal for the children in their schools. So not only do they receive a meal per day they also are provided with an education. Mary’s meals is on the list of CNN top heroes of 2010. Please click on the following link to hear more of Magnus work and to vote for him and the hero of 2010: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive10/magnus.macfarlane.barrow.html
The conference ended with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Arinze. A few of the members of the Knights of Columbus from Sacred Heart were dressed in full regalia for the Mass and lined the aisle with sword drawn as the altar servers, priests, bishops, and the Cardinal processed through. Thanks to all the Knights who participated. Father Pisut was given the honor to be the Masters of Ceremonies for the ending Mass.
The following are a couple of testimonies received through email:
My heart was touched by each one in a different way--Mareno Restropo and Father Wendell touched me in a very particular way. And always, always Matthew Kelly--had a fondness for him going in but probably these touched me the most...Enjoyed Cardinal Arinze and his sense of humor and basic "common sense basic" approach and of course Renee Bondi (to the tune of 2 cds!!) ...Did it make me closer to God? Yes--in fact the first morning during Mass I could almost feel his presence working--would it help if I said I had to hold back tears many times..I forgot--I really enjoyed hearing the story of Magnus McFarlane-Barrow...What an inspiring story--couldn't watch that video either! Music and Masses were excellent--what a renewal of faith. I would recommend anyone going to this----He must have touched many hearts this weekend--sure did mine, as you can tell.
~Kathy
Marilyn and I had no intention of attending the Christ Our Life Conference until we received the "last minute" invite . What a special weekend it was, we were very glad we accepted your invitation. We especially enjoyed Cardinal Arinze, Renee Bondi, and Matthew Kelly. The closing Mass with Cardinal Arinze presiding and preaching was an awesome Prayer that did bring us closer to God, and had special significance to Marilyn and I.
~Jack Cavanaugh
Thanks to the Diocese of Des Moines for a few of the close up pictures of the conference which were posted on facebook.
