The Holy Spirit & The Mission of the Church I-7
Saint Stephen The first Martyr Saint Stephen s faith and martyrdom is described in the Acts of the Apostles. Feast Day, December 26. Symbols: deacon carrying a pile of rocks; deacon with rocks or a book in his hand. Brought before a judge for trial, Stephen continued teaching about Jesus and told the judges they were hard-hearted murderers of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This so angered the crowd that they dragged Stephen outside and stoned him to death. Saint of the week
Saint Kateri Tekawitha First Native American Saint Saint Kateri was born of Native American Born: 1656 Died: 1680 at age of 24 Feast Day, July 14. heritage (Mother Algonquin; father Mohawk). Her parents died during a small pox epidemic when Kateri was 4 years old. Kateri herself was disfigured and partially blinded by the disease. She was converted and baptised when she was 20. Her new faith and her dedication to remain unmarried caused serious friction with her fellow villagers. She left her village and walked 200 miles to join a band of Christian Natives near Montreal Canada. She led a life of prayer, fasting, teaching and service until her death at the young age of 24. She is noted for her life of witness. Saint of the week
Week 2 Church as Sacrament Encounter with the Triune God Experiencing God s Presence Review Week 3 Concepts of God Agape -Unconditional Love Yahweh YHWH- I am who am Source of all existence Week 4 We Believe in God our Father Creator of All (I Am Who Am) Abba Father (personal, Loving Father) Salvation Reconciliation of Man with God
Review Week 5 We Believe in Jesus the Christ Both fully God & fully Man (except for sin) Born of the Virgin Mary Week 6 Triduum: Jesus was crucified suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again. His Death Reconciles mankind with God His Resurrection represents Victory over Death Jesus' resurrection foreshadows our own resurrection - share in God's Eternal Life
1. Paradigm... One's unique view or perspective based on his/her life experiences 2. Sacrament... Encounter with (experiencing presence of ) The triune God 3. Agape... Unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love. 4. Reconciliation.. Restoration of Intimate Relationship Restoration Suggests there has been a break Intimate - Sharing in eternal life 5. Incarnation... God the Son became flesh (human) in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Big Word(s) of the Week
6. Triduum Latin Abbreviation for three days (in singular) Jesus suffering, dying and rising from the dead The Church views this as a single event. 7. Paraclete Greek - One who consoles or comforts, one who encourages or uplifts; hence refreshes, and/or one who intercedes on our behalf as an advocate in court Refers to the Holy Spirit Who descends upon & dwells in the Apostles on Pentacost The Holy Spirit breathes life into and refreshes the Church Witness Lead (influence) by example Living a life of agape Big Word of the Week
Nicene Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. The Holy Spirit Life-Giving Breath 8
Third member of the Holy Trinity From the beginning of time Active in the creation of the universe In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the eartha and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2) Throughout early history Spoke through the prophets Led the people out of Egypt (Passover) During Jesus' Earthly Life Fills John the Baptist at birth Through his power Mary conceives Descends on Jesus at his baptism As Life Force in the Church Pentacost 50th Day after Easter (Passover) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) The Holy Spirit
Wherever God sends his Son, he sends the Spirit Share same mission Work cannot be separated Mission of Spirit-reveals God the Father and Jesus the Son Most significant manifestation was at Pentecost - the Birthday of the Church Mission of the Holy Spirit
Titles -Advocate, Paraclete, Promise of the Spirit, Spirit of Adoption, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord Symbols -Water, fire, cloud and light, dove, anointing, laying on of hands Titles and Symbols of the Holy Spirit
Seven special gifts come from the Holy Spirit at Confirmation Wisdom Understanding Right judgment (Counsel) Courage (Fortitude) Knowledge Reverence (Piety) Wonder and awe (Fear of the Lord) Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The mission of the church is to witness continue Christ's mission of proclaiming the good news that through Christ, sin and death have been conquered. To bring forth agape Church's Mission to Witness
The Church in its simplest sense is: Sacrament The People of God in Communion with God. The church is the means and goal of God s plan. Means: The people of the church (us) witness to Jesus Christ and his message. Goal: The people of the church (us) live together as brothers and sisters of Christ, showing our faith by example. The church is a mystery as it is both visible and spiritual. Church as Visible Symbol & Mystery
God has revealed himself as a Triune God Father Son Holy Spirit The Paraclete or life giving force of the Church Confirmation is about encountering the Holy Spirit in a special way: Maturing as members of the People of God (aka Church) Receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Engaging in the Mission of the Church Witnessing Living our faith with Agape Influencing our family, friends and acquaintances by example. Some of us may even be called to heroic ministry, risking our lives or well being in service for others. Take Aways