MADISON — “Spiritual Feast 2010: Answering the Call of the New Pentecost” is the theme for this year’s event sponsored by Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Madison. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison.
Deacon Michael Cullen, liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Superior Diocese and steering committee member of the National Association of Diocesan Liaisons, will be the presenter.
Born in Ireland, Deacon Michael and his wife Annette have been married 40 years. They have 12 children and 19 grandchildren. Annette was recently appointed as assistant liaison to the Diocese of Superior by its Bishop Peter F. Christensen.
Deacon Michael and Annette co-founded Casa Maria House and St. Ben’s meal program in Milwaukee in the late 1960s.
They returned to Ireland in 1973 where they reached out to minister to great numbers of youth through “Camp Jesus.” In 1985 they founded Emmanuel House of Providence, which continues to draw hundreds of people weekly to be renewed and nourished in their faith.
The Cullens returned to the U.S. in 1991 and have worked in parish ministry ever since. Michael leads workshops and gives presentations as well as leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Ireland, and Europe.
He was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Superior in 1997 and appointed liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 2000. He currently serves on the steering committee for the National Association of Diocesan Liaisons and is the parish director of three parishes in northern Wisconsin.
Relevant Radio will also be interviewing Deacon Michael while he is in Madison.
October 23’s Spiritual Feast will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and conclude with Mass at 5 p.m. Fr. Rick Heilman will be the celebrant.
Pre-registration is $30, due by October 16. Registration at the door is $35. There is no fee for either clergy or youth 18 or under. Also a lunch is available for $10 (pre-registration is required). Contact ccrmadison@madisondiocese.org or call 608-843-2074 for more information or to register.