CRYSTAL LAKE—“Every day Christians need to be renewed in the Holy Spirit.”

With this quote of St. Augustine, Jim Murphy, Catholic lay evangelist and director of leadership formation for International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services based near the Vatican in Rome, began a day-long conference Nov. 7 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, here.

The conference was presented by the office of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of the Rockford Diocese. More than 70 people attended to “Catch a Spark of His Love.”

Murphy quoted St. John Paul   II who said, “I am convinced that this movement is a very important component of the renewal of the entire Church.”

Murphy also quoted popes Paul VI, Benedict XVI and Francis as they spoke in support of the Charismatic Renewal.

“We are to be a great force meant to serve the preaching of the Gospel in the joy of the Holy Spirit,” Murphy said. “For the first time in 50 years the Church is actively looking for (Charismatic) Renewal to step out and help move the Church forward.”

Murphy provided five building blocks people can use to strengthen themselves and stir into flame their gift — prayer, scripture, sacraments, community, and service. These, he said, will help everyone  develop a daily, weekly, and monthly rhythm to fit all these elements into busy lives.

He reminded the group to remember that “spiritual warfare often surrounds the birth of a miracle.” The Lord is seeking to restore a fire in His people, he said.

Father Chris Kuhn, pastor of St. Mary Church in Elgin and associate spiritual director of the Office of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, teamed with Murphy to present the afternoon talk, adding the ordained priesthood’s perspective to the Catholic lay evangelist’s presentation of the encouraging-but-soul-searching subject matter.

The day of inspiration and joy ended in prayer.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services in the Rockford Diocese will present its next Diocesan Day of Renewal on April 23, 2016. Patti Mansfield, one of the original participants on the 1967 Duquesne University retreat that is considered the beginning of the charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church, will be the featured speaker.