A movement is taking flight among Catholic and other liturgical churches in Fayette County to renew members' "lives in the Holy Spirit."

St. Gabriel's in Fayetteville and Holy Trinity in Peachtree City are currently conducting seminars addressing the gifts of grace received through baptism in the Spirit. Charismatic Masses, such as the one conducted recently at St. Philip Benizi in Jonesboro, drew several hundred people together to praise and worship and celebrate the Eucharist.

The Rev. Tim Hepburn, pastor of St. Gabriel's and celebrant of the charismatic Mass, explained that the "impulse of the Spirit has continued in the Church throughout its entire history... with ebbs and flows." "The Church had intense charismatic expressions in the Middle Ages," Hepburn said, noting the building of the great cathedrals and Franciscan movement, led by St. Francis of Assisi.

Today, Catholics are manifesting their "charisms," defined as extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit granted to an individual for the sanctification of others, in numerous ways. The laying of hands on people, praying for the outpouring of the Spirit, and uniting in joyous song and praise are outward ways Catholics are charismatic.

Hepburn said those who receive the Holy Spirit describe it as a gentle and peaceful experience, not a frenzied one. The more dramatic and physical signs of the Holy Spirit such as "speaking in tongues" can be received as well.

"These gifts are always subject to the discernment of the pastors of the church," Hepburn explained. "They can be authenticated by the fruits of the person's life such as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and self control," he explained.

The Catholic interpretation of life in the spirit emphasizes the sacramental life. "This is even more important if you want to become holy and live forever with God," Hepburn said.

The seven special gifts of the Holy Spirit, traditionally bestowed in the sacrament of Confirmation, were received by 178 young people Monday and Tuesday at Holy Trinity. In a service officiated by the Most Reverend John F. Donoghue, Archbishop of Atlanta, the confirmants will became members of the church and were strengthened in their faith through sacramental grace.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Their confirmation precedes next's Sunday's celebration of the feast of Pentecost, which recognizes the time when the Holy Spirit came down upon Christ's apostles, and they went out and preached. Those listening heard the apostles in their native languages.

Another avenue of Christian charismatic expression can be found at Christ the King Church in Peachtree City. It is a charismatic Episcopal church which distinguishes itself in its "openness to the work of the Holy Spirit."

The Rev. David Epps, who serves as the church's pastor, said he believes that from the time of the apostles, all the way to the modern Pentecostal and charismatic movements, Christians have been endowed with a power beyond themselves, from the Holy Spirit.

According to Epps, "This means we not only allow, but anticipate, his presence and working through his spiritual gifts, both in our worship and daily acts of service."