Where do I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?
‘The blueprint for our mission, the way in which we put our Christian faith into action, is found first of all in the Word of God.
Attentive listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to the voice of conscience, fortified by the graces of the Eucharist and by personal prayer, will help us to choose the right path. Above all, we need to have faith in the power of the Eucharist. In the celebration of the Eucharist, God challenges us; through the Eucharist he also gives us light, courage and strength to carry on his work in the world.’
- Sr Janet Baxendale SC
For Your Reflection
Take one (or more) of the eight sections here and answer the following questions:
1
In what ways does/can the Eucharist affect your life?
2
Describe a situation in which you listened attentively ‘to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to the voice of conscience’. What was the result of this listening?
3
When has it helped you ‘to choose the right path’?
4
Describe a situation in which you have felt strengthened by prayer.
5
When have you felt challenged by God?
How do I show respect for creation?
‘There is nothing more green than the Eucharist in the sense that it’s creation, it’s the good earth, it’s bread, it’s wine…all that reverence for creation is also presumed in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and then I would say there are ethical challenges not to abuse the earth.’
- The Rev. Msgr. Kevin Irwin
For Your Reflection
1
Explain how it is true to say that ‘There is nothing more green than the Eucharist’.
2
What are some of the ‘ethical challenges’ facing Christians today?
3
How and why should Christians show ‘reverence for creation’?
How do young people pray and reach out to others?
‘We should have more young people proclaiming the Word, we should have more young people being Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, more young people involved in outreach … to be reconnected with the vibrant heart of the community.’
- The Rev. Aidan Mulholland
For Your Reflection
1
Describe young people you know who are engaged in ministry/outreach. What do they do and why do they do it?
2
What role does going to Mass play in their lives?(Instead of written answers, you could interview some of these people and present a PowerPoint or video based on the interviews.)
3
What involvement do you have in ministry/outreach? Describe your involvement.
4
Do you see a connection between your social justice involvement and going to Mass? Explain.
5
If you are not involved in ministry/outreach, could you explain why?
6
Why do you think more young people are not involved?
7
What can be done to encourage their commitment?
How am I challenged by the needs of the world?
‘For us, the celebration of the liturgy presents a unique opportunity to develop a great missionary sensitivity to make our Christian life relevant to the newer challenges coming up – we have many challenges.’
- The Most Rev. Hugh Slattery
For Your Reflection
1
What are some of the ‘many challenges’ facing Christians today?
2
Describe people you know who are working to meet these challenges. What do they do and why do they do it?
3
What role does going to Mass play in their lives? (Instead of written answers, you could interview some of these people and present a PowerPoint or video based on the interviews).
4
What involvement in social justice do you have? Outline your involvement.
5
Describe one experience that really affected you or changed you in some way. Describe the circumstances; the factors that made it so significant and how it has changed/ affected you. (Instead of written answers, you could present a PowerPoint or video).
6
If you are not involved in social justice activities, could you explain why?
7
Why do you think more people are not involved?
8
What can be done to encourage their commitment?
How can a religious setting bring you closer to God?
'The plaza…it’s a welcoming space as people arrive. It gives them the opportunity of beauty…a time to visit with each other, then to enter the cathedral for Eucharist and prayer, then, afterwards, to mingle and to continue to share our lives…as we go out into the world.'
- His Eminence Cardinal Roger Mahony
For Your Reflection
1
Why is it important to have ‘a welcoming space’ as part of a church?
2
Why is it important to have ‘an opportunity of beauty’?
3
Why is it important for people ‘to visit with each other’ before and after Eucharist?
4
Is there a time when you really felt at home in a church? What made you feel that way?
5
Describe a church building that you really like. What do you like about it? Take photos of it to explain.
6
Is there some religious artwork; statues; windows; crucifix that you really like? Take photos if possible to help explain.
What kinds of prayer do you find helpful?
‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’
- John 12:24
For Your Reflection
1
If you have participated in an adoration prayer service, describe the experience.
2
What did you like about it?
3
How did it help you to come closer to God and others?
4
How did it help bring you peace and a deeper sense of self-awareness?
5
If you have never had this experience, would you take up the opportunity if it was offered? Give reasons.
For Reflection and Discussion
Undertake a self-evaluation using the following prompts:
1
What are three things I learnt from these quotations and reflections?
2
What are two questions or comments
I have?
3
What is one thing I’d like to find out more about?