Our Lady Of Good Counsel

Last week, our Parish celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion of 73 young men and women of our Parish. Msgr. Gary Secor, Vicar General,  administered the sacraments with the celebration of Mass. In his homily, he emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in everyone’s life that is, to become witnesses of Christ. When faith and life are challenged and when the world turns away from the truth in Jesus Christ, we are called to be strong, courageous and faithful. All these are made possible because of the Holy Spirit we receive and we make Jesus alive in our world. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, we remind ourselves that we also received the Holy Spirit. It was through our Baptism and Confirmation that we were able to receive Him. As we remind ourselves of the His presence and gifts in our lives, we also rekindle our faith and be strong, courageous and faithful to our call as Witnesses of Jesus, Stewards of the Gospel and Disciples today. When our world lives in a life of anger and hatred, let the Holy Spirit work in our lives and foster love and forgiveness. When our world divides every family, community and even church, let the Holy Spirit work in us and bring unity, understanding, respect and justice. When the world seems to overwhelm humanity with anxieties and pain, let the Holy Spirit who is in you and me enable us to sow peace and joy. As the world leads men and women to be worldly, let the Holy Spirit lead us back to holiness. As St. Augustine of Hippo would put it in prayer, 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. ╬