Things to talk about:

• What is the liturgical color for Pentecost?
• How has the Holy Spirit inspired you or given you courage?
• What’s the difference between the peace that Jesus gives and the peace the world gives?
• Who is the Holy Spirit?
• What is different about someone who allows the Holy Spirit to work in their life?

Things to do:

• Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church. To celebrate make a strawberry short cake, click HERE for recipe ideas.
• Complete this crossword puzzle as a family about Pentecost and the early Church.
• Begin every prayer this week by saying, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
• The Monday after Pentecost is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, which Pope Francis declared in 2018. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us! As a family pray the Hail Mary on Monday.
• The Holy Spirit is described in many different ways throughout the Scriptures. Find Isaiah 42:1-3, Isaiah 61:1-3 and Joel 3:1-3. Discuss which one best describes the Spirit and why. What qualities of the Spirit do you relate to in each of these passages?

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in your life personally with the prayer from St. Augustine. 

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. All the prayers for Monsignor Pat who celebrates his 50th Anniversary of Ordination on May 18. Thanking God for the gift of his ministry. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Amazing news! God lives in each and every one of us. On the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. God who created the universe dwells within us. The Spirit is our Advocate and our guide throughout our lives. The Holy Spirit transforms us, makes all people one and renews us if we follow where he leads.

Jesus uses two titles for the Holy Spirit, the “Advocate” and the “Spirit of truth.” (In a court of law, an advocate is the lawyer who pleads on behalf of a defendant before the judge. An advocate is also someone who is always in the other person’s corner, looking after them, defending and bringing out the best in them.

By referring to the Holy Spirit as the Advocate, Jesus is telling us that it is the Holy Spirit who is always working within us, guiding and uplifting us. We pray to the Holy Spirit whenever we need help making a difficult decision. The Holy Spirit is a “Spirit of truth” because God is pure truth. Come Holy Spirit, come.

Did you know?… that Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church? Having received the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples could begin the work of bringing the Good News to all the nations?

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