June 13, 2007

Bilingual conference for youth and parents to be held this weekend

The Hispanic Apostolate will sponsor its third annual Bilingual Charismatic Conference on June 15-17. The three-day, bilingual event for families and youth will be held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.

This year’s conference will feature speakers from New York City including Father Joseph Espaillat, Dr. Carlos Barillas and David Bisono. Youth and parents will attend talks with each other and also in separate parent or youth groups.

Friday’s schedule includes a “Concert of Lights” featuring musical groups Messengers of Christ, from New York City, and Crown of Thorns from Buffalo, and dance groups from SS. Columba/Brigid and Holy Cross Church, both in Buffalo. The program will include a procession with flags from the City of Buffalo, the Vatican and flags from various cultures, in addition to the flag of the United States.

Father Espaillat, who will be the main celebrant at the closing Mass on Sunday (June 17) at 10 a.m., will address the youth on Saturday (June 16) at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Barillas, a psychiatrist, will address parents at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday (June 16); his topic will be “Don’t Cry Anymore.” At 9:30 a.m. he will have a dialogue with youth addressing the three main problems they face -- their parents, their own nature and their environment. Dr. Barillas will meet with the parents again at 12:30 p.m. The subject of this presentation will be “Parents with Power.”

Bisono, the national youth charismatic president, will address youth on Saturday (June 16) at 8:30. There will also be a Mass at 8 p.m. Saturday night followed by a party with the Holy Sacrament. It will be the first time parents and youth will gather together that day.

For more information about the conference, call the Hispanic Apostolate at 847-2217.

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