Explore DEF IN E The Holy Spirit transformed the early Christian community and strengthened it for the task of witnessing to Jesus the Lord. This same Holy Spirit continues to strengthen the Church today. We are also called to faith by the Holy Spirit. We are initiated into the life of the Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation, and we are sustained in it through the Eucharist. Just as the Christians in Luke’s time were called to live their values in the difficult Roman world, we recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance today. Each year on the Feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Spirit’s presence within us and within the Church.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
“The spirit of the L ORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the L ORD.” Isaiah 11:2
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R EM EM BE R
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, giv ing them the strength to em brace their mi ssion to spread the Good Ne seven Gi fts of the ws. The Holy Spirit are wi sdom, un derstanding, coun sel, for titu de, knowledge , piety, and fea r of the Lord.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2, along with piety, give Christians the strength to lead moral lives. These gifts are permanent dispositions within us that help us heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Where we are morally strong, they make us stronger. Where we are weak, they give us strength. Saint Paul says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
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We first receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the grace of Baptism is strengthened, and we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Church Tradition has added the gift of piety to make a total of seven gifts.
Good News Gi fts of the Holy Sp
Our Catholic Character The Holy Spirit leads us to better understand God’s will for us. We cooperate with the Spirit by developing habits of prayer that deepen our love and understanding of Jesus. One spiritual practice of prayerful reflection is called the “virtuous circle.” It begins with reflection, which leads to gratitude, which leads to service. Service leads you back to reflection. When we practice the virtuous circle, we open ourselves to God’s grace in a profound way. Father Paul Brian Campbell explains how this process helped him. When he was teaching at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, he loved the enthusiasm of his students but reflected that something was missing. “I had little pastoral contact with the elderly. This
Have a volunteer read aloud The Good News Proclaimed. Tell young people that both Baptism and Confirmation are celebrations of the Holy Spirit. In many dioceses, Confirmation is celebrated during the Easter season. Say: The Easter season is also a special time for Baptism and for recommitting ourselves to the promises our parents and godparents made at our Baptism. Ask a volunteer to read aloud Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Have young people find and underline the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the section. (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and piety) Explain that in the Sacrament of Confirmation, we celebrate the strengthening of grace received at Baptism, and we celebrate the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Our Catholic Character
reflection led me to volunteer at a local hospice.” At the hospice, Campbell cleaned the house or chatted with the residents and their families. “I quickly learned that I was getting far
Understanding God’s Will Provide young people with the PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Session 22 Blackline Master [T-382]. Read the introduction and the directions aloud. Have them complete the activity as a way to practice prayerful reflection of God’s will for them.
Have a volunteer read aloud the feature. Point out the words reflection, gratitude, and service. Discuss the meaning of the virtuous circle. You may want to guide the way to use the prayer by writing an example on the board. Reflection: God has given me many talents; Gratitude: I am thankful for my love of music; Service: I sing in the church choir. Remind young people that the Holy Spirit is in all of us and gives us help and guidance to live as Christ’s disciples in the world.
Living as Children of God
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more than I was giving,” says Campbell. “The quiet and cheerful professionalism of the hospice staff, the dignity accorded to the dying residents and the care and compassion that was evident made a profound impression on me.”
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Session 22 > Jesus Sends Us Forth with His Spirit
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Session 22 BLM
Cut out from construction paper the shapes of seven large tongues of fire. Label each shape with a gift of the Holy Spirit. Display the paper tongues of fire on a bulletin board. Distribute seven small slips of paper to each young person. Ask them to write a way that they can be led by each gift to lead a moral life. Then tell them to attach their slips to the particular paper tongue of fire.
Close the discussion by saying: We are empowered to be Christ’s witnesses in the world today. At Pentecost we celebrate the Holy Spirit’s presence within us. Ask young people to practice praying the virtuous circle, focusing on reflection, gratitude, and service.
Unit 5 • Session 22
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