Pentecost & Confirmation

As we celebrate Pentecost today, we can't help but be reminded of our Confirmation students. Just one week ago today they received the same Spirit given to the apostles at Pentecost.

This is the sacrament of Martyrdom and Evangelization as we offer ourselves to God and commit to sharing our faith by how we live our lives.

You can hear Archbishop Lucas' homily from Confirmation right here.

The Holy Spirit in Action

I witnessed the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action yesterday.

Those gifts are manifested all around us, but sometimes we lack the vision to see them. Yesterday, God helped me see.

In reality, I didn't see with my eyes. I became aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in someone I talked with over the phone. Our conversation began as a business-type conversation, but soon the man’s zeal about his work became apparent. What struck me, though, was the wisdom and knowledge with which he spoke. And it became apparent that those gifts came from a deep relationship with God.

In his law enforcement job, the man had seen all kinds of human depravity and suffering. Yet he was not jaded by what he saw. Instead, his experience made him realize how dependent on God we are. Humanity’s problems are so deep, he reasoned, we can’t possibly solve them on our own. We need God.

He wasn't depressed or discouraged by all the misery he deals with, either. He said he tries to live by three Biblical principles:

1)      Pray without ceasing;
2)      Do all things in the name of Jesus Christ;
3)      Live in the belief that with God all things are possible.

That advice covers all of us, in all our needs. And with God’s wisdom guiding him, the man showed amazing clarity of thought and purpose.

I knew he had the Holy Spirit with him.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Send us Your Spirit

"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings." -- Romans 8:26

God invites us to ask, seek and knock -- and He will answer.

It seems, though, that often when I ask for something, I aim too low. I forget that God is big, powerful and infinite. His mercy and graces are like oceans, and  I go to Him equipped with a spoon.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is at work everywhere inspiring and helping us, especially through the church and her sacraments, Scriptures, saints and teachings. Through these gifts, the Holy Spirit teaches us to pray.

A wise priest recently said that when He prays for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he asks for a "double portion," following the example of the Old Testament prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 2:9:

"When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit."

Another wise person prayed that God would send two guardian angels to protect someone in harm's way. I'm amazed when people are inspired to pray in such ways, asking the Lord for things I would never think to ask for, and having full confidence that their Father will hear and answer them.

It shows their connection to the Holy Spirit, who helps them pray and intercedes for them, sometimes in ways we cannot fathom.

Please, Lord, as we celebrate Your Ascension into Heaven and await Pentecost, we ask You to send us Your Spirit. Give us a double portion of the Holy Spirit, especially for those about to be confirmed, for Father Damian as he prepares for his new assignment at St. Frances Cabrini, for our new pastor Fr. Dave Reeson and all our priests, deacons and parishioners.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!



Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Praying and Painting

During their Confirmation Retreat, our 8th grade students learned that sitting quietly isn't the only way to pray. They had a "hands on" experience of learning to pray as they painted.

 Each of the background colors in their painting represents a different gift of the Holy Spirit and each student uses the colors as they desired those gifts.

In the foreground they added an image 

of a dove representing the Holy Spirit.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

As part of their preparation for Confirmation, 8th Grade students attended a Day of Reflection at the parish.

As part of their study of the Gifts of the

 Holy Spirit, they did some painting.

 

 

 

 

 

The colors in the background represent the giftsof the Holy Spirit, while the dove represents the Holy Spirit itself. Right now they are displayed in the Education Center, but later they will be reminders of Confirmation and receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Happy Birthday Church!

As we celebrate Pentecost today, there is an option in Mass of a blessing. It goes like this:

May God, the Father of lights, who was pleased to enlighten the disciples' minds by the outpouring of the Spirit, the Paraclete, grant you gladness by his blessing and make you always abound with the gifts of the same Spirit

Amen

May the wondrous flame that appeared above the disciples, powerfully cleanse your hearts from every evil and pervade them with its purifying light.

Amen.

And may God, who has been pleased to unite many tongues in the profession of one faith, give you perseverance in that same faith and, by believing, may you journey from hope to clear vision.

Amen.