At Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish, we are inviting all parishioners to prepare for the celebration of our patronal feast day, Pentecost, when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples as tongues of fire. If our patron, the Holy Spirit, is going to inflame our lives with boldness and wisdom and joy, we need to give Her something to inflame.
What we want to offer up a discipleship pledge (inspired by Joe Paprocki, “A Church on the Move” (Loyola Press, 2016)), a personal commitment to exercise, in four specific areas this year, our discipleship to our Lord Jesus Christ. In line with Pope Francis' teaching and the meaning of baptism to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, we have a mission to share with the world, the Good News of Jesus Christ, that God does indeed love the world. You also are invited to join us.
For the next four Sundays starting with this past Sunday, the preacher will focus on a different aspect of discipleship. You can catch our Mass homilies through our YouTube channels.
· 4/25 - deepen one's relationship with Christ (prayer) - Eric preaching
· 5/2 - deepen one's knowledge of Christ (study) - Fr. Steven preaching
· 5/9 - share one's gifts with others (generosity/stewardship) - Fr. Steve preaching
· 5/16 - reach out to others (evangelization) - Fr. Ivan preaching
As you listen to Scripture and the preaching, please reflect on that theme during the week and take it to prayer. Ask where the Holy Spirit would like you to dig deeper so as to uncover new riches in that aspect of discipleship. Throughout these four weeks to Pentecost, consider filling out a Discipleship Pledge Card, so that it is completed by Pentecost. Just come up with something simple, doable and attractive, and trust that the Holy Spirit is the active agent here.
For example, for prayer some possible pledge ideas include:
pray the examen each morning and/or evening
read and meditate on the Gospel of the day
pray a rosary daily (with your family or bubble)
use a devotional or daily prayer book or app
join a prayer group, like Rosary Group or Christian Meditation
attend daily Mass or more frequent celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
For study some possible pledge ideas include:
join a Bible Study (such as Emmaus or for students, Small Student Bible Study)
read an inspirational book or article each month
join a small faith sharing group, like Catholicism WOW or Tuesday Theology
watch YouTube videos by inspirational Catholics like Bishop Barron, Fr. Mike Schmitz, or Matthew Kelly.
For generosity some possible pledge ideas include:
spend more time with your kids
volunteer at a charity and/or at church
pay it forward each week with an unexpected act of kindness
each month, research a justice issue and write to your representative or donate time or treasure
For evangelization some possible pledge ideas include:
have regular family faith sharing sessions
share regularly with others your personal church and faith activities you attend
each week, tell someone you’ll pray for them and ask what in particular should you pray for
invite folks to events at church
Also to help us explore our discipleship, Catholicism WOW, each Wednesday at 7pm, will be exploring and discussing the 4 aspects. All are welcome to join them. Just contact Ned & Yvette at niccolls@comcast.net. If you are not able, they are providing WOW Notes with their key observations: Prayer WOW Notes / Study WOW Notes / Generosity WOW Notes / Evangelization WOW Notes
Our hope is by Pentecost, we all will have some discipleship disciplines we will exercise in the coming year, thereby allowing the Holy Spirit to work with us like She did with Jesus' early disciples. Our world is in need of disciples to remind folks that the Kingdom of God is at hand and all are invited to be part of that Kingdom. Imagine if the community of more Catholics spent the year opening ourselves to our patron, the Holy Spirit, what amazing wonderful things we would unleash on the world.
Jesus is Risen! Great things are afoot this Easter Season.
Let us catch the holy fire....