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Evangelization Workout

Evangelization Workouts
by John Boucher

How can we get in shape and keep fit for the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ and the Church? We need to exercise or "work-out" on a regular basis! Come here to find occasional new individual, small group, large group or parish calisthenics to stretch our capacity to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus in every life.

Workout #4:
Who is the Holy Spirit for YOU?

Every year on the Feast of Pentecost we recommit ourselves to our Baptismal vows and to the evangelizing mission of the Church, “Go therefore and make disciples…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit….” (Matt. 28:19) But who is the Holy Spirit who was so evident at Pentecost? Who is this Holy Spirit that we invoke with the Sign of the Cross? How does the Spirit have a place in everyday life?

Individual Prayer and Activity (10-15 min)

Names or titles for the Holy Spirit in scripture, tradition, and Church teaching are listed below:  

• Some can be used as prayers, in and of themselves. Repeat just one or two titles over and over again at quiet moments throughout the day, in sync with slowly breathing in and out. 
• Slowly pray the Sign of the Cross; then use some titles for the Spirit (below) to pray: "Come _______ fill my heart.  Come _____ fill my life. Come ________ bless my family. Come ______ transform me."
• Circle the 3 to 6 titles that you would find most meaningful as you pray, experience, or speak to others about the Holy Spirit. If favorite titles of the Spirit are not listed, put them in the empty boxes.
• Imagine yourself at the first Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples of Jesus (cf. Acts 2). You might want to pray with hands outstretched or raised, inviting the Spirit to fill them. Call out to the Spirit. How does the Spirit touch, melt, mold, or fill you as you pray?
  

Advocate	Comforter	Wind	Willing Spirit	Water of Life
Gift of God	Healer	Breath of God	The Presence	River of God
Hand of God	Power of the Most High	Consuming Fire	Soul of the Church	Lord
Glory of God	Breath of Heaven	Third Person of the Trinity	Grace	Helper
Finger of God	Living Flame of Love	Cloud of Unknowing	Counselor	Spirit of Jesus
Fountain	Paraclete	Dove	Divine Seal	Giver of Gifts
Holy Ghost	Anointing of the Lord	Consoler	Light	Giver of Life
Dew of God	Spirit of Truth	Wisdom	Spirit of Judgment	Spirit of the Father
Sanctifier	Spirit of Knowledge	Holy One	Spirit of Understanding	Eternal Spirit
Spirit of Fortitude	Spirit of Piety	Agent of Evangelization	Strength of God	Oil of Gladness
Kiss of God	Holy Longing	Strengthener	Voice of the Lord	Spirit of Prophecy
Guardian	Teacher

Sharing in small groups (3 or 4 people - 20 mins.)

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1. What is it like for you to name the Holy Spirit? Which two or three titles touch you the most or are most helpful? Why did you choose these?
2. Which of these titles are the most foreign to the way you envision Holy Spirit? Why?
3. How do your favorite titles of the Spirit color what it means for you to be Catholic?
4. What titles do you and other members of your group have in common?
5. Think of three people in your everyday life. What titles of the Spirit seem to describe the way they respond to God's Spirit?
6. How does understanding favorite names for the Holy Spirit move us forward in the evangelizing mission of the Church?

People-Homework Challenges

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A. After this session, conduct an informal survey of people from your every day life. Ask them what it is like for them to visualize the Holy Spirit. Which names or titles of the Holy Spirit from the list are meaningful? Do they have questions about certain titles? (Ask leaders at your local parish for the answers.) You might schedule a time right now to come together again as a group in order to share the results of this informal survey.

B. You might decide to pray with others a special novena (nine days of prayer) to the Holy Spirit for your parish, your special intensions, or for other people. One such novena, Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit (Card) is available from www.pncea.org at http://www.pncea.org/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=31&DEPARTMENT_ID=45.

C. Pray the “Christian Renewal Prayer” below each day to renew your Baptismal promises and to ask Jesus Christ for a deeper life in the Holy Spirit:

Jesus, I know that I am Yours and You are mine forever.
Thank you for sending Your Spirit to me
That I might have the power to live this new life with You.
Stir up Your Spirit in me. Release Your Spirit in me.
Baptize me with the fullness of Your Spirit
That I may experience Your presence and power in my life,
That I may find new meaning in Your Scriptures,
That I may find new meaning in the sacraments,
That I may find delight and comfort in prayer,
That I may be able to love as You love and forgive as You forgive,
That I may discover and use the gifts You give me for the life of the Church,
That I may experience the peace and the joy that You have promised us.
Fill me with Your Spirit, Jesus. I wish to receive all that You have to give me.
Amen.

(“Christian Renewal Prayer” from A Prayer Journal for Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Locust Grove, VA: National Service Committee, p. 7. Copyright 2002, Therese Boucher. Used by permission.)

Copyright © 2007, John J. Boucher. Used by permission. Email: jbouch@dioceseoftrenton.org