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9 Action items for the Pentecost Novena: Start Friday May 22nd 2020

We can learn not only from the Apostles’ teachings, but even from their situation.

Sheltered in placed. Cut off from friends. Terrified by an external threat. Apprehensive about the future. Today’s Catholics have a tremendous amount in common with the apostles after our Lord’s ascension into heaven. After nine days, the apostles, set alight with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, burst forth from their lockdown on a mission to convert the world.It seems that this is where the similarities between the apostles’ situation and ours ends. As shelter in place orders expire, we step gingerly from our homes, still not freed from anxiety and, in many places, still not able to partake of the sacraments. Rather than blaze with the Spirit, we feel burned by the coronavirus. Rather than proclaim Christ, we complain of our lot.

But we do have one thing in common with the apostles too easy to overlook: if we have received the sacrament of confirmation, we have flowing within us the same Spirit the apostles received. Confirmation is our Pentecost that fortifies us with the Spirit’s seven gifts—knowledge, understanding, counsel, wisdom, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

So long as we remain in the state of grace, we can call upon these gifts whenever we desire – when we have an occasion to proclaim the faith, or whenever our faith is challenged. This is how we imitate the apostles, even if our tiny contributions do not make the same dramatic marks on the world.

For centuries Catholics have anticipated Pentecost with a novena to pray for the coming of the Spirit. This year, as we pray, here are nine actions, tailored for our unique circumstances, which put into action the grace of confirmation we already have.

OLD TESTAMENT

Read the Old Testament. As Peter offered the Church’s first ever homily on Pentecost morning, he cited the Old Testament that Christ had fulfilled. We cannot fully appreciate our salvation apart from its scriptural roots in ancient Israel. In these days, we may profit from reading the Book of Joshua, which recounts Israel’s dramatic entrance into the promised land. As we read, we can make God’s admonition to Joshua our own: “Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

BAPTISM

Remember your baptism. After Peter spoke, the people were “cut to the heart” and asked what they should do. “Repent and be baptized,” declared Peter. We who already have been baptized possess a permanent character on our souls that marks us for Christ. By baptism we have God for our Father and Christ for our brother. In the face of tribulation, we are consoled knowing that whatever befalls us, we ultimately belong to Him.

CONSCIENCE

Examine your conscience: The repentance that Peter calls for is not a one-time event, but a daily one. In this time when confessions are not widely available, we must hold ourselves accountable for our sins and beg God for His mercy.

REACH OUT

Call someone you have not spoken with for a while. Ignited by the Spirit, the apostles went forth and announced Christ to a world yet to know Him. We can bring Christ’s peace to someone with a simple call to say, “I have been thinking of you and praying for you.”

GIVE WITNESS

Find a creative way to witness to Christ. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because it sent forth the first witnesses of Christ to convert the world. We can witness even from our homes by placing an image of Jesus as the Divine Mercy on our doors or the cross from our windows.

FIND MARY

Pray the rosary. Awaiting Pentecost, the apostles devoted themselves to prayer together with Mary, the mother of God. As children, we instinctively fly to our mothers in times of distress. To persevere through our current distress, praying the rosary puts us in the lap of Mary, our mother, who shows us better than anyone how to center our lives on Jesus.

PICK AN APOSTLE PATRON

Pray to an apostle whose story resonates with you. Has the economic shutdown cut your work and income? Pray to St. Matthew, the former tax collector. Are you having trouble recognizing God’s providence in these moments? Pray to St. Philip, who boldly identified Jesus as the prophet early on, only to be reprimanded by Him at the Last Supper for failing to understand. The apostles were ordinary, even bumbling, human beings, not special of their own right, but made so by the Spirit. With God’s grace, we, too, can be transformed.

LET THE SPIRIT TEACH YOU

Call on the intellectual gifts of the Holy Spirit. Baptism gave us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which confirmation later strengthened in us. Four pertain to the intellect: knowledge, understanding, counsel, and wisdom. Ask the Spirit to help you see God’s will for you in the midst of this pandemic and in going forward from it.

BE NOT AFRAID

Conquer fear. The Holy Spirit gives us fortitude to live our faith amidst the trials of life. The uncertainty of the present moment can stoke fear and despair. The Spirit helps us overcome these temptations when we remember that Catholics cannot escape the cross, which was the means whereby Christ conquered the world. On Pentecost, let us pray, filled with the Spirit’s fire, that most ironic of prayers: “Hail, O cross, our only hope!”

David G. Bonagura, Jr. is the author of Steadfast in Faith: Catholicism and the Challenges of Secularism.

Filed Under: NL 24052020 Headline Posts Tagged With: Father Marcin Drabik, Novena to the Holy Spirit, St Swithun's Roman Catholic Church Southsea

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WEDNESDAY - 20-01-2021 of the 2nd Week in Ordinary TimeST SWITHUN's CHURCH IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS:- please keep a proper distance;- sanitize a place which was in contact of your body;- if you will come with children, please do not allow children to walk, run in the church, to avoid many any contact with other people and more places touched which will ne to be sanitize;- keep one direction way and exit the church by the deigned exits;- Please do bear this in mind: the doors must be left open for a good ventilation, so as the temperature drops in the weeks ahead it will be important to wrap-up warm;SACRAMNET OF CONFESSION FROM 9.00am to 9.25am OUR PLAN IS: (also live-streamed):6.15am - The act of consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;6.30am - The Holy Mass (in Polish): 17th Gregorian Mass for +Trevor Anthony Evans;9.00am - Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament;9.30am - Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Benediction;10.00am - The Holy Mass. Intention: + Tony Allum RIP; followed by The Holy Rosary Prayer & daily devotion;12.00noon - The act of Consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;9.00pm - The act of consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;PLEASE, pray today especially for our Dear Michael, Fr Zbigniew Zybała, Waldomiro Oliveira, Anthony, Kathleen & Kevin, Jo, Maria, Mary, Joanna's Parents, Anne, Joey, Charlie, Xander, our First Communion Children, especially this week - Finlay and His Family, and for our Parish, For our ONLINE CATHOLIC SCHOOL😇🙏 ... See MoreSee Less

11 hours ago

WEDNESDAY - 20-01-2021 of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

ST SWITHUNs CHURCH IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS:

- please keep a proper distance;
- sanitize a place which was in contact of your body;
- if you will come with children, please do not allow children to walk, run in the church, to avoid many any contact with other people and more places touched which will ne to be sanitize;
- keep one direction way and exit the church by the deigned exits;
- Please do bear this in mind: the doors must be left open for a good ventilation, so as the temperature drops in the weeks ahead it will be important to wrap-up warm;

SACRAMNET OF CONFESSION FROM 9.00am to 9.25am 

OUR PLAN IS: (also live-streamed):

6.15am - The act of consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;

6.30am - The Holy Mass (in Polish): 17th Gregorian Mass for +Trevor Anthony Evans;

9.00am - Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament;

9.30am - Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Benediction;

10.00am - The Holy Mass. Intention: + Tony Allum RIP; followed by The Holy Rosary Prayer & daily devotion;

12.00noon - The act of Consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;

9.00pm - The act of consecration oneself to Jesus Christ through Mary (20/33) - in Polish;

PLEASE, pray today especially for our Dear Michael, Fr Zbigniew Zybała, Waldomiro Oliveira, Anthony, Kathleen & Kevin, Jo, Maria, Mary, Joannas Parents, Anne, Joey, Charlie, Xander, our First Communion Children, especially this week - Finlay and His Family, and for our Parish, For our ONLINE CATHOLIC SCHOOL😇🙏
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CHRISTIAN MORNING MEDITATION:A Man with a Withered HandJanuary 20, 2021Mark 3:1-6Again, he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.Opening Prayer: Lord, I come before you as one who is lame. You see me—a beautiful being marked by the scars of life. I desire to see what you see and humbly rest in the certainty that you make all things new.Encountering Christ:1. A Withered Hand: When we think about the man with the withered hand, we can imagine a life spent alone, in misery, yet in need. He was an outcast because a deformed hand banned him from living a “normal” life. Years of living in a dirty cave or on the filthy streets begging for food left him a scruffy, soiled mess. If he was noticed at all by the onlookers, it was in disgust. While the Pharisees did not bring this man to the temple, they saw this man’s unfortunate circumstance as an opportunity to exalt their already self-inflated status. It seemed that they were more concerned about their reputation as “Teachers of the Law” than they were about personal holiness, because they disregarded an opportunity for charity by ignoring the need of a fellow man. How often do we find ourselves acting the same way? Do we set ourselves above the poor, the lowly, the lame?2. They Watched Him Closely: Why was this outcast, this social pariah, waiting at the synagogue where he knew he was not welcome? Surely he did not stumble upon there by happenstance. It was probable that he came week after week, seeking help from those who claimed to have the “ear” of God. The Pharisees certainly saw him, but they felt validated to avoid this man’s “impurity.” They were invested in stopping the threat that would expose their hypocritical righteousness: Christ. No man had ever exposed their hearts in the manner that Jesus so skillfully did. They should have been watching him to learn from him. Wasn’t that the reason why the man with the withered hand was there?3. “Stretch Out Your Hand”: Jesus always taught before he healed. Healing was the tangible part of his teaching. Jesus asked the man to stretch out his hand, and the hand was healed. Christ had no reason to ask the man to stretch out his hand. Healing wasn’t dependent on the man’s participation. Christ was teaching all who were present that the very thing which caused the man to be ostracized from society was a metaphoric sign of belonging. Jesus saw a man with a need, not a needy man. He welcomed the man, not the opportunity to outshine the Pharisees as “Teacher of the Law.” Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for teaching me the value of a soul. Help me not to measure by sight, nor to judge another based on my limited understanding, but to welcome all whom I encounter, in your name, for your glory. Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will ponder your teaching, “Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we destroy it?” and actively respond.stswithuns.org.uk/event/dr-20012021 ... See MoreSee Less

11 hours ago

CHRISTIAN MORNING MEDITATION:

A Man with a Withered Hand
January 20, 2021

Mark 3:1-6

Again, he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Opening Prayer: Lord, I come before you as one who is lame. You see me—a beautiful being marked by the scars of life. I desire to see what you see and humbly rest in the certainty that you make all things new.

Encountering Christ:

1. A Withered Hand: When we think about the man with the withered hand, we can imagine a life spent alone, in misery, yet in need. He was an outcast because a deformed hand banned him from living a “normal” life. Years of living in a dirty cave or on the filthy streets begging for food left him a scruffy, soiled mess. If he was noticed at all by the onlookers, it was in disgust. While the Pharisees did not bring this man to the temple, they saw this man’s unfortunate circumstance as an opportunity to exalt their already self-inflated status. It seemed that they were more concerned about their reputation as “Teachers of the Law” than they were about personal holiness, because they disregarded an opportunity for charity by ignoring the need of a fellow man. How often do we find ourselves acting the same way? Do we set ourselves above the poor, the lowly, the lame?

2. They Watched Him Closely: Why was this outcast, this social pariah, waiting at the synagogue where he knew he was not welcome? Surely he did not stumble upon there by happenstance. It was probable that he came week after week, seeking help from those who claimed to have the “ear” of God. The Pharisees certainly saw him, but they felt validated to avoid this man’s “impurity.” They were invested in stopping the threat that would expose their hypocritical righteousness: Christ. No man had ever exposed their hearts in the manner that Jesus so skillfully did. They should have been watching him to learn from him. Wasn’t that the reason why the man with the withered hand was there?

3. “Stretch Out Your Hand”: Jesus always taught before he healed. Healing was the tangible part of his teaching. Jesus asked the man to stretch out his hand, and the hand was healed. Christ had no reason to ask the man to stretch out his hand. Healing wasn’t dependent on the man’s participation. Christ was teaching all who were present that the very thing which caused the man to be ostracized from society was a metaphoric sign of belonging. Jesus saw a man with a need, not a needy man. He welcomed the man, not the opportunity to outshine the Pharisees as “Teacher of the Law.” 

Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for teaching me the value of a soul. Help me not to measure by sight, nor to judge another based on my limited understanding, but to welcome all whom I encounter, in your name, for your glory. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will ponder your teaching, “Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we destroy it?” and actively respond.

https://stswithuns.org.uk/event/dr-20012021
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'A GLASS OF WINE' with Fr Marcin TUESDAY 19/01/2021 at 8.00pm ... See MoreSee Less

20 hours ago

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It was good evening. They had fun.

Good Evening everyone including Fr and hopefully Bilbo too 🐾

Good night God bless Father thank you for sharing that beautiful email.

Thank You Fr. Goodnight and God bless You. 🙏🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thank you Fr Marcin for your sharing. Good night everyone and sleep well. God bless you all

Good Evening Fr Marcin and everyone who is attending this session including Bilbo

A couple of my church of England friends watch you sometimes.

Good evening Father and good evening everyone from Sylwia & Ashley 🍷🍷🍷🙏🙏🙏🙏

Good evening Fr Marcin, Bilbo and all the lovely people here 🙏💕🙏

Thank you, dear Fr Marcin, for all the time you dedicate to us. You know my heart. I too am very grateful to the Holy Spirit and to you for this extra help you give us/me. Always in my prayers and in my heart. Fratelli tutti! Pax et Bonum🙏💖🙏

Good evening Fr .Marcin

Thank you Father 🙏

Good evening Father Marcin and friends . We are looking forward to this evening Launce and Sandra .

Good evening one and all. I hope everyone's well.

Good evening everyone. Happy Tuesday to you all

Good evening. ☕️☕️❤️❤️

Yes, they had. They were still talking about the "breath" today

Good evening everyone 💛💚💙

Good evening everyone 🙏❤️

Good evening

Maybe we listen but not that clever to understand...

hahaha… sounds like political talks for me 😀

Good evening everybody 🙂 <3

Good evening Fr Marcin, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Ciaoooo Bilbo!💕

Thank you Father 🙏

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TUESDAY 19/01/2021The Holy Mass at 7.00pm. Intention: + O'Connor Family RIP ... See MoreSee Less

21 hours ago

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❤️

Good evening everyone

❤️

🙏

🙏

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... See MoreSee Less

22 hours ago

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January: Month of The Holy Name of Jesus In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow,
of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth
and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ
is in the glory of God the Father.


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