FEAST OF PENTECOST
Worship Hymn.. Come and worship Holy Priesthood….
Prayer-God, we praise you, Jesus we worship you, Holy Spirit we glorify you. Holy Spirit come and fill us, give us a new Pentecost experience. O Holy Spirit sanctify us. O Holy Spirit enlighten and lead us. Teach us to bear witness to the world.
Hymn- Welcome Holy Spirit…
Opening Reflection: Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God, through the Holy Spirit, is at work among us. It is a celebration of newness, of re-creation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world—the coming of God’s kingdom. And it is also a recognition of our participation in God’s work as the Holy Spirit is poured upon us.
On Pentecost Sunday the sound of a mighty wind filled the room, witnesses saw what looked like tongues of fire resting on each person’s head and despite being from different parts of the world they could all communicate and understand to each other.
Scripture Reading – Acts 2:1-11
When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. ‘Surely’ they said ‘all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome – Jews and proselytes alike – Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.’
Reflection
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in majesty and power to the father and the son. The Spirit is the vehicle of love between the father, son and us on earth and Jesus sends us the spirit to remind us of ‘what he taught us whilst on earth’. Moved by the Spirit, we can change the face of the earth. When we ask for the Holy spirit we receive the gifts of the spirit – Wisdom; Understanding; Right Judgement; Courage; Knowledge: Reverence and Fear of the Lord which work in us to produce the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Spirit is very much alive and active in our world today. The spirit changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus at Mass, He brings new life into the world and gives many the gifts of prophesy and healing. He reminds the Church of her mission, calling people into service and sending them the necessary gifts to do it.
The Spirit always works in our life too. He makes us receptive to God; teaching us to pray and helps us to be there for others. Augustine calls the Holy Spirit “The quiet guest of our soul” so in order to sense his presence we must be still. The more receptive we are to the Spirit in us, the more he comes the master of our life.
HYMN- Be still and know that I am God…
Reading Reader 1: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As God has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20: 19-22)
Reader 3: Our work for justice and peace—our “yes” to the coming of God’s reign—can sometimes leave us disappointed, discouraged, hopeless. We look around at the suffering and misery of our brothers and sisters around the world, and we wonder if our work is meaningless. Will we hide away from the world of hunger, poverty, oppression and war?
Reader 4: Today we pray to God that the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, and that our lives be guided not by fear, but by dynamic hope. We ask that the fire of the Holy Spirit burn brightly within us as we work to create a more just and peaceful world.
Litany of the Holy Spirit
Response:- “grant us hope.”
Promise of God, grant us hope
Ray of light, grant us hope.
Author of all good, grant us hope.
Source of life-giving water, grant us hope.
Consuming fire, grant us hope.
Ardent love, grant us hope.
Spiritual balm, grant us hope.
Spirit of love and compassion, grant us hope.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, grant us hope.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, grant us hope.
Spirit of knowledge and truth, grant us hope.
Spirit of peace and reconciliation, grant us hope.
Spirit of transformation and renewal, grant us hope.
Spirit of justice and clemency, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit, Comforter, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit, Gift of God, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit Who fills the universe, grant us hope. Amen.
The Role of the Holy Spirit Today
The Holy Spirit transformed fearful apostles into courage witnesses to Christ. They received the gift to preach the Gospel in all languages and on that day 3,000 people were baptized and converted. From these humble beginning the Church of Christ spread to every land which is why we consider Pentecost to be the birthday of the Church. Ever since the Holy Spirit has guided and strengthened the Church and still continues to do so today.
INTECESSORY PRAYERS
Loving God,We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit to help us pray as we ought.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression:for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain;for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit for those living in the shadow of war and violence;
for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety and whose Christian life has become hard and dry.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts;for those tempted to do what is wrong.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit for those reaching out to comfort the distressed;
for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
Loving God,We ask for the assurance of your Spirit to know your presence with us in our daily lives:in our relationships;in our work and service;in our worship;in our times of joy and pain.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.” ACTS 1;18
Reader : Scripture tells us that the disciples had hidden themselves out of fear. Then, Jesus breathed on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit burned within them as fire. And those followers of Jesus—the same that had isolated themselves out of fear—were filled with hope and became a living movement to bring about another creation—the reign of God.
Sisters let us go forward and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I thank you for your guidance in every moment of my life. Thank you O Divne Helper, for your constant presence within me. Intensify my thirst for you. May I have a deep personal relationship with you. Help me every day to seek the kingdom of God with greater eagerness and dedication. Bless me with all your gifts, fruits and charisms so that I may grow steadily in holiness and effectively live out my missionary call.
Closing Prayer Leader:
Today we remember the first disciples as they received the Holy Spirit and were sent forth to continue the work of God. As Catholics, we are invited to recommit ourselves to welcoming God’s Spirit, who abides in us, and to be very mindful that the fruits of the Spirit were not given solely for our personal benefit but rather are to be shared with the whole human family. Help us to work together for a more just world in which the dignity of all people is respected. Help us to increase our knowledge and call for a better world for those who are held back by poverty, oppression and injustice. And help us to continue to search for signs of hope, that we might celebrate them and be inspired by them.
O Holy Spirit, Grant us Hope.
INTECESSORY PRAYERS
Loving God,We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit to help us pray as we ought.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression:for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain;for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit for those living in the shadow of war and violence;
for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety and whose Christian life has become hard and dry.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts;for those tempted to do what is wrong.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit for those reaching out to comfort the distressed;
for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
Loving God,We ask for the assurance of your Spirit to know your presence with us in our daily lives:in our relationships;in our work and service;in our worship;in our times of joy and pain.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
Litany of the Holy Spirit
Response:- “grant us hope.”
Promise of God, grant us hope
Ray of light, grant us hope.
Author of all good, grant us hope.
Source of life-giving water, grant us hope.
Consuming fire, grant us hope.
Ardent love, grant us hope.
Spiritual balm, grant us hope.
Spirit of love and compassion, grant us hope.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, grant us hope.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, grant us hope.
Spirit of knowledge and truth, grant us hope.
Spirit of peace and reconciliation, grant us hope.
Spirit of transformation and renewal, grant us hope.
Spirit of justice and clemency, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit, Comforter, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit, Gift of God, grant us hope.
Holy Spirit Who fills the universe, grant us hope. Amen.
Reflection
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in majesty and power to the father and the son. The Spirit is the vehicle of love between the father, son and us on earth and Jesus sends us the spirit to remind us of ‘what he taught us whilst on earth’. Moved by the Spirit, we can change the face of the earth. When we ask for the Holy spirit we receive the gifts of the spirit – Wisdom; Understanding; Right Judgement; Courage; Knowledge: Reverence and Fear of the Lord which work in us to produce the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Spirit is very much alive and active in our world today. The spirit changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus at Mass, He brings new life into the world and gives many the gifts of prophesy and healing. He reminds the Church of her mission, calling people into service and sending them the necessary gifts to do it.
The Spirit always works in our life too. He makes us receptive to God; teaching us to pray and helps us to be there for others. Augustine calls the Holy Spirit “The quiet guest of our soul” so in order to sense his presence we must be still. The more receptive we are to the Spirit in us, the more he comes the master of our life.