• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
More than 700 pray to the Holy Spirit at the 11th annual Catholic Conference (XI Encuentro Católico) in Glen Burnie July 25. (Priscila Doran/Special to the Review)

Catholic Hispanics go back to their first love

July 27, 2021
By Priscila González de Doran
Special to the Catholic Review
Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News

En español

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. offers his homily during the Catholic Conference (XI Encuentro Católico) sponsored by the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal of the Archdiocese of Baltimore July 25 at La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie. (Priscila Doran/Special to the Review)

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.”

Fátima Eguizabal and Evelyn Amaya volunteer with the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal (Renovación Carismática Católica). (Priscila Doran/Special to the Review)

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. 

Volunteers of the archdiocesan Hispanic Charismatic Renewal lead the praying of the rosary at the 11th Catholic Conference (XI Encuentro Católico) July 25. (Priscila Doran/Special to the Review)

“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.

Catholic Charities’ William J. McCarthy Jr. named Loyola’s Business Leader of the Year

Sister Joan Cooper, O.S.F., dies at 94

Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history

Sister Elizabeth Ellen Kane, O.S.F., dies at 81

RADIO INTERVIEW: Dining with the Saints

Archdiocese dispenses with meatless obligation for St. Patrick’s Day

Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Priscila González de Doran

A native of Mexico, Priscila González de Doran is a former staff writer for the Catholic Review. She now serves as a freelance contributor and is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville

She earned associate degrees in business administration and information systems, and social and behavioral studies, from Riverside City College in California. She has a certificate in campus ministry from the Dominican Institute in Oakland.

Priscila has collaborated with El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización, Periódico de la Red, Pascua Juvenil and Newman Centers.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history
  • Fire guts historic Catholic school in parish connected to St. John Neumann
  • RADIO INTERVIEW: Dining with the Saints
  • Suspect pleads not guilty in murder of LA Auxiliary Bishop O’Connell
  • Movie Review: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4, a festival of fatality’

| Latest Local News |

Catholic Charities’ William J. McCarthy Jr. named Loyola’s Business Leader of the Year

Sister Joan Cooper, O.S.F., dies at 94

Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history

| Latest World News |

National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series

Laws, lawsuits and adult involvement needed to save kids from social media ‘harm,’ say experts

Confession is ‘encounter of love’ that fights evil, pope tells priests

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series
  • Confession is ‘encounter of love’ that fights evil, pope tells priests
  • Laws, lawsuits and adult involvement needed to save kids from social media ‘harm,’ say experts
  • Praying for healing for our pet
  • Jérôme Lejeune’s legacy advances ‘abundant life’ for people with Down syndrome in world and church
  • Texas parishioners affected by Ukrainian war, a wildfire have relied on faith, community to survive turmoil
  • Pope, World Council of Churches’ leaders talk about war, divisions
  • Pre-Vatican II Mass was formed by ‘clericalization,’ says papal preacher
  • Memorial to modern Christian martyrs opens in Rome

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED