\u2018Alleluia, the Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world. Come let us adore him, alleluia.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon)<\/p>\n
The fifty days of Easter conclude with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday, the day the Holy Spirit first came upon the disciples in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-11).\u00a0 Hence, fire is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he met some disciples who had \u2018not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.\u2019 (Acts 19:2).<\/p>\n
One way to identify the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity is to observe its influence on a person. One such person was St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582).\u00a0 On the eve of Pentecost 1563, the Holy Spirit appeared to her in the form of a brilliant dove with wings like mother of pearl.\u00a0 She describes this experience in her autobiography.\u00a0 In 1614, the Flemish painter, Peter Paul Rubens painted St Teresa of Avila with ‘the Holy Spirit fluttering over her as a dove’.\u00a0 \u2018According to St Teresa and as she experienced in her spiritual life, the function of the Holy Spirit is to transform the person to that marvellous love of God.\u2019(Emmanuel Kaniyamparampil OCD).<\/p>\n
St Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) co-foundress of the Daughters of Charity with St Vincent de Paul in 1633, also experienced the Light of the Holy Spirit in a profound way.\u00a0 Louise was a married woman with one son Michel.\u00a0 In 1623, between the Feast of Ascension and Pentecost, Louise was plagued by three doubts which caused her great suffering.\u00a0 One doubt was that she should leave her husband, \u2018to have greater liberty to serve God and my neighbour\u2019.\u00a0 Secondly, she doubted her \u2018capacity to break the attachment I had for my spiritual director\u2019 and thirdly, \u2018the doubt she experienced concerning the immortality of the soul\u2019.\u00a0 Louise wrote, \u2018On the Feast of Pentecost, during Holy Mass or while I was praying in the Church, my mind was instantly free of all doubt.\u2019 (SW, A.2)\u00a0 This freedom Louise experienced was a life changing moment for her and also for the life of the Church.<\/p>\n
The Gospel proclaimed at Mass today (Jn 20:19-23), may be heard via webcam or read in the New Testament.<\/p>\n
This Gospel presents an image of the terrified apostles locked in a room because of their fear of the Jews.\u00a0 In the twinkle of an eye, their fear was turned to joy because Jesus came and stood among them.\u00a0 He said to them, \u2018Peace be with you\u2019.\u00a0 Then he showed them his hands and his side.\u00a0 The apostles were filled with joy because they saw the Lord.\u00a0 A second time, Jesus said, \u2018Peace be with you.\u2019 Then, he breathed on them and said, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.\u2019 He gave them the power to forgive sins.<\/p>\n
Jesus wanted to give his apostles the gift of joy, peace, and the power to forgive sins when he said, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u00a0 The gifts were freely given. The disciples were full of joy on seeing the Lord.<\/p>\n
We pray on this feast of Pentecost for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the world. May our hearts be open to receive the love, the freedom and the joy of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE GROW AND LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME<\/p>\n
From Junior Infants\/P1 upwards the children are introduced to the person of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 They gather in prayer to say, \u2018In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.\u2019<\/p>\n
Children chat with their families about their Baptism and discover how they received the gift of the Holy Spirit and in faith belong to God\u2019s family. The Story of Jesus\u2019 Baptism reveals how the Holy Spirit came on Jesus and acted in his life.<\/p>\n
Through the loving experiences of their own lives, they gradually recognise that the Holy Spirit is the One who teaches them to love, to pray and live like Jesus.<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit prompts a person to love God, themselves, one another and the environment.\u00a0 Exploration of the lives of saints and Christian heroes\/heroines help the children to identify people who lived lives of holiness.<\/p>\n
By reciting the Apostle\u2019s Creed, children state their belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
During the celebration of the Eucharist, the assembly are invited to pray for peace, a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and they offer one another a sign of peace. The Holy Spirit helps to bring reconciliation and unity. They recognise that, at the Consecration, which happens during the Eucharistic Prayer, how ordinary bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, through the action of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
In identifying the events of the life of Jesus, his Passion, Death and Resurrection; children hear of Jesus\u2019 promise to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles on his return to the Father.\u00a0 Jesus fulfills the promise. He remains with them always.<\/p>\n
After Pentecost, in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:41-47), children read the account\u00a0 on the life of the First Christians.<\/p>\n
In the Annunciation (Luke 1: 28-38), the children hear the promise of God as the angel said to Mary, \u2018The Holy Spirit will come upon you.\u2019<\/p>\n
Children identify the symbols of the Holy Spirit as wind\/ breath, fire, water and the dove. In Sacred Scripture, they read that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and received his mission. (Lk 4:16-22). They also read from the Old Testament of David being anointed as leader.<\/p>\n
In the sacrament of Confirmation, children recognise the role of the Holy Spirit in giving them the sevenfold gift which bears fruit in their lives. They experience anointing and being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit helps children in their formation of conscience and gives them the freedom, guidance and the grace to make good choices for life. In prayer, they take quiet moments to invite the Holy Spirit into their hearts. They learn to seek and ask for guidance.<\/p>\n
There are many resources on the VERITAS website, including songs, prayers, poems, activities and stories including the Children\u2019s Grow in Love e-books to help families understand the person of the Holy Spirit and the transforming power of the love of the Holy Spirit in the lives of disciples.<\/p>\n
INVITATION TO:<\/p>\n
READ in Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-13); Life among the First Christians (Acts 2:41-47); The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3: 13-17); The Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:16-22).<\/p>\n
SING: \u2018Tar Anuas, a Spioraid Naoimh\u2019, \u2018Spirit Filled Day\u2019, \u2018Welcome Holy Spirit, Welcome,\u2019 \u2018Send Forth Your Spirit\u2019, \u2018Spirit Anthem\u2019, Veni Creator Spiritus\u2019<\/p>\n
PRAY with Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
SIGN OF THE CROSS<\/p>\n
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/p>\n
COMHARTHA NA CROISE<\/p>\n
In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. \u00c1im\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT<\/p>\n
Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right.<\/p>\n
Help me.<\/p>\n
Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.<\/p>\n
Guide me.<\/p>\n
Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.<\/p>\n
Teach me.<\/p>\n
PAIDIR CHUIG AN SPIORAD NAOMH<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dh\u00e9anamh.<\/p>\n
Cabhraigh liom.<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom maireacht\u00e1il mar a mhair \u00cdosa.<\/p>\n
Treoraigh m\u00e9.<\/p>\n
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom<\/p>\n
gu\u00ed mar a ghuigh \u00cdosa. M\u00fain dom \u00e9.<\/p>\n
COME HOLY SPIRIT<\/p>\n
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.<\/p>\n
Enkindle in us the fire of your love.<\/p>\n
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be<\/p>\n
created.<\/p>\n
And you shall renew the face of the earth.<\/p>\n
O God, who has taught the hearts<\/p>\n
Of the faithful<\/p>\n
By the light of the Holy Spirit,<\/p>\n
Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise<\/p>\n
And ever to rejoice in his consolation,<\/p>\n
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.<\/p>\n
TAR CHUGAM, A SPIORAID NAOIMH<\/p>\n
Tar, a Spioraid Naoimh, l\u00edon cro\u00edthe<\/p>\n
na bhf\u00edr\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
Agus las ionainn tine do ghr\u00e1.<\/p>\n
Cuir amach uait do Spiorad agus<\/p>\n
cruth\u00f3far muid,<\/p>\n
Agus d\u00e9anfaidh t\u00fa aghaidh na tal\u00fan a<\/p>\n
athnuachan.<\/p>\n
A Dhia, a mh\u00fain cro\u00edthe na bhf\u00edr\u00e9an<\/p>\n
Le solas an Spioraid Naoimh,<\/p>\n
Deonaigh d\u00fainn sa Spiorad c\u00e9anna a bheith cr\u00edonna go f\u00edor,<\/p>\n
Agus gairdeas a dh\u00e9anamh I gc\u00f3na\u00ed ina sh\u00f3l\u00e1s,<\/p>\n
Tr\u00ed Chr\u00edost, \u00e1r dTiarna. \u00c1im\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
\u2018Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive will be forgiven them, alleluia.\u2019 (Benedictus antiphon)<\/p>\n
\u2018This is the day of Pentecost, alleluia; today the Holy Spirit appeared to the disciples in the form of fire and gave to them his special gifts; he sent them into the world to proclaim that whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, alleluia.\u2019 (Magnificat antiphon).<\/p>\n
\u2018When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and the face of the earth is renewed.\u2019 (Psalm 103:30).<\/p>\n
\u2018Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the father\u2019s love and accompany creation as it grows in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and inspire us to do good. Praise be to You!\u2019 (Laudato Si\u2019 no. 246).\u2019<\/p>\n
Sr Anne Neylon<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Alleluia, the Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world. Come let us adore him, alleluia.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon) The fifty days of Easter conclude with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday, the day the Holy Spirit first came upon the disciples in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-11).\u00a0 Hence, fire is one of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5216"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5216\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}