GLEN BURNIE – For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic Catholics from all over Maryland gathered for their 11th Catholic Conference (XI Encuentro Católico) at La Fontaine Bleue July 25, to praise and worship the King of Kings.
The event, an annual gathering before the pandemic, was hosted by the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal (Renovación Carismática Católica, or RCC) of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “Returning to the first love” (Volviendo al primer amor) was the theme, inspired by the book of Revelations (2:4): “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
“Many people have left the ministry. We see people discouraged, lacking the joy they once had, and disengaged in the pursuit of the Gospel. But we hope that with these events they will come back,” said Father Hilario Avendaño, spiritual director of the RCC and associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia.
Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., catechized the congregation with relatable examples and jokes. He encouraged people to be unafraid of the magnitude of their problems and to pray for great things, because through their problems, Jesus manifests his glory.
“If you have plumbing issues, do not pray for those to be fixed; pray for a new house,” Bishop Lewandowski said in his homily. “If you are thirsty, do not pray for a water bottle; pray for an ocean of living water. But if you are having problems in your marriage, do not pray for a new spouse.”
He concluded by inviting those in the congregation to lay all their problems on the altar.
After Archbishop William E. Lori declared the Year of the Eucharist for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, many parishes and ministries feverishly took this initiative, the RCC among them. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also approved a multiyear Eucharist Revitalization Project.
“This is the year of the Eucharist, and the Eucharist is that first love,” said Heidi Aragón, secretary of the RCC. “All our talks focus on that.”
The conference began with a rosary, followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Lewandowski, prayer to the Holy Spirit and talks. It ended with eucharistic adoration.
According to Moisés Reyes, coordinator of the RCC, attendance for this year’s Encuentro was between 700 and 800 – up from 400 to 500 at previous events. Hispanic ministry has increased as a result of solid evangelization, he said.
Rodolfo Mejía, sub-coordinator of RCC said, “I am a product of the RCC. I had a personal encounter with Jesus.”
One good problem coming out of the increase of devotees is the need for an infrastructure that can hold large events.
“Our dream, as well as the need for the ministry, is to acquire a functional building that will allow us to host major events,” Reyes said.
More than 100 volunteers showed up at 3 a.m. to set up the venue on Ritchie Highway. They brought a joyous attitude.
“You take care of (God’s) things, and he takes care of yours,” said Fátima Eguizabal, a parishioner of Resurrection of Our Lord in Laurel and native of Ahuachapán, El Salvador.
Erika Pineda, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia and native of Puerto Lempira, Honduras, attended with her family, she said, to receive the healing love that only Jesus in the Eucharist can give.
“When I attend these Encuentros, I am able to give all my problems to God and feel peace afterwards,” Pineda said.
To learn more about the RCC, visit “Renovación Carismática Católica-Baltimore” on Facebook or visit its official website https://www.rccbalt.org.
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