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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Focus on Faith

The fruits of the Holy Spirit

In the reception of the sacrament of confirmation, the person receives the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength (fortitude), knowledge and fear of the Lord (Is 11:2), and piety. These gifts are not to sit idle or be kept in storage. Rather, they are to be put to good use so they will bear much fruit.

Jesus calls us to sacraments, prayer

In 1993, St. Teresa of Kolkata sent a letter to the members of her order. She wrote, “I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus — one to one — you and Jesus alone.

What’s the one virtue I can’t neglect?

Q) I know that I should grow in virtue, but I’m not sure where to start. If I were to grow in any virtue, which one should I make sure I don’t neglect?

Saying yes to those in need

Two themes jumped out at me when I first glanced at this Sunday’s readings: fairness and the ability to say no. In the first reading (Ez 18:25-28), we hear Ezekiel talking about fairness. “You say the Lord’s way is not fair! Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?”

The gifts of the Holy Spirit

Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are imparted on those who receive the sacrament of confirmation.

Celebrate God’s mercy that forgives debts, and then do likewise

This weekend, my community of St. Patrick in Oak Grove finally gets to celebrate the elimination of our parish debt — after 19 years, thanks be to God!

A disciple is a decision-maker

Q) I made the decision to go on a trip with friends during this pandemic. We were planning on being safe, of course, and I came across the words “don’t cancel the trip” randomly in a book I was reading. But now I feel uneasy and I wonder if the Holy Spirit is trying to tell me something, or if it’s just me overthinking or even the bad spirit trying to confuse me and raise doubts.

Anointing with oil during confirmation

A special kind of oil, sacred chrism, is an integral part of the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation. The minister dips his right thumb into a small bowl of chrism, then raises his oiled thumb, places it on the forehead of the candidate, and with a stroke down and a stroke across, anoints the forehead in the shape of a cross with the words, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The anointing with holy oil imparts the seal of the sacrament.
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