Is anyone free next Saturday?

Catholic Action Network is hosting a conference called "The Spirit is Set Free". I think I know about which spirit they are referring - and I don't think it is "Holy".

Anyway it is claimed that this is " An Important Conference for All Catholics..." and that it is a means of "Thinking Outside the Box".

Well, what is about, you ask? This conference is here, just in time to capitalize on the feelings of sadness many may be experiencing:

Frustrated With Your Church?
In a time of parish and school closings and the clergy-abuse scandal many Catholics feel alienated from their Church. Come to this groundbreaking conference to talk about alternative Catholic models, see a woman priest preside over liturgy, and share discussion in large and small groups.

Denise Donato was ordained a priest in the Spiritus Christi Community by a bishop of the Old Catholic Church in 2003. This 1,000+ member community describes itself as “a Christ-centered Catholic community reaching beyond the institutional church to be inclusive of all.” Come hear their story, and explore what it means here in St. Louis.

I recall reading somewhere recently that this thriving community of 1,000+ has dwindled to perhaps 300...The "Spirit" must still be moving people in different directions!

For those who are looking for real close, first-hand knowledge of this "movement", here are the details:

Saturday, October 16th, 2004 8:30am-2pm
Evangelical United Church of Christ (204 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves)
On Lockwood, right next to the YMCA

Tickets:
$15/pre-registered by Oct. 8th $20/at door
(includes lunch, call for low-income rate)

I'm not sure that I really want to part with $20...or the time...but I bet it would be "educational" and both fun & sad at the same time. Who knows, it's a great opportunity to evangelize and maybe bring someone back to the Church.