Bishop Oscar A. Solis presides at the Mass for the Lenten Encounter of the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal, celebrated on Feb. 28 at the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper. IC photo/Laura VallejoDRAPER — Almost 1,000 faithful Catholics gathered from Feb. 28 to March 1 at the Skaggs Catholic Center to celebrate the XI Lenten Encounter of the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal, which was in Spanish. The theme of the encounter was “Return to me with all your heart.” Presenters were Father Carlos Panesso from the diocese of Bogota, Colombia; Monsignor Diego Monroy, former rector of the Guadalupe Shrine in Mexico City; Christian Martinez, a lay minister from the Diocese of San Diego, Calif. who presented the talks for the youth; and Father Jorge Roldan, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Salt Lake City, who serves as the ministry’s spiritual director.Each morning the participants had the opportunity to worship, praise, pray, reflect, learn and share, strengthening their Catholic faith through presentations with topics such as “Carrying a cross through the world challenging times,” “Christ’s passion,” “Come to me with all your heart,” and “Even if the world collides, Christ’s cross stands tall,” among many others.
Monsignor Diego Monroy, former rector of the Guadalupe Shrine in Mexico City was one of the presenters at the Lenten Encounter of the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal, held Feb. 28 at the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper. IC photo/Laura Vallejo“Having presenters such as Monsignor Monroy has been a blessing,” said Martha Mendez, a parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City, adding that she needed this year’s encounter because “we live in a very scary world, and knowing and hearing that God is always there for us, no matter what, has given my heart joy.” Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided at the encounter’s Sunday Mass; concelebrating were Fr. Panesso and Msgr. Monroy.
Saying that he was very happy to see all those present gathered that day celebrating their faith, Bishop Solis based his homily on the readings of the day: Gen 12:1-4a, 2 Tim 1:8b-10 and Mt 17:1-9.
It was the first Sunday of Lent, and “in the first reading we heard a deep transformation story, where Abram listened to our Lord; he could have not listened, but he did,” the bishop said, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God.
In the Gospel another transformation story was shared, Bishop Solis said.
“Peter, James and John were led by Jesus to a high mountain where he was transfigured. … A voice that came from the sky told them, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ What does this mean? First, the apostles have a quick look at the glory and identity of Jesus; they realized that Jesus is not only a man, he is the Son of God, the way of truth. … Second, they realize that God always keeps his promises,” the bishop said.
God has been faithful since Eve and Adam to the present day, he said. “The disciples learned that there is no glory without a Calvary, there is no darkness without light.” 
Those who listen to God are welcomed into his grace, the bishop added. “Jesus shows us what unconditional love is. Listen to him. How many listen to him in today’s world?”