Pentecost Sunday

Maria Hayes • June 6, 2025

"I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" - Catechism of the Catholic Church

687 "No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God"(1 Cor 2:11). Now God's Spirit, who reveals God, makes known to us Christ, His Word, His living Utterance, but the Spirit does not speak of Himself. The Spirit who "has spoken through the prophets" makes us hear the Father's Word, but we do not hear the Spirit Himself. We know Him only in the movement by which He reveals the Word to us and disposes us to welcome Him in faith. The Spirit of Truth who "unveils" Christ to us "will not speak on his own" (Jn 16:13). Such properly divine self-effacement explains why "the world cannot receive (Him), because it neither sees Him nor knows Him," while those who believe in Christ know the Spirit because He dwells with them (Jn 14:17).

688 The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which She transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:

in the Scriptures He inspired;
in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
in the Church's Magisterium, which He assists;
in the Sacramental Liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
in prayer, wherein He intercedes for us;
in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
in the witness of saints through whom He manifests His holiness & continues the work of salvation

Sort of like light passing through a stained glass window, we don’t directly ‘see’ the third Person of the Trinity. Yet, we can clearly see the impact & influence of the Holy Spirit. Today, we celebrate the gift of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first poured out upon the Apostles to form the Church. The continuously present Church in which we worship is among the most evident, visible effects of the Holy Spirit, Itself. After receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles went forth boldly to light the world on fire with Love & the Gospel. People could not see the Spirit, but they could see the Love shining through the Apostles & early Christians. People heard, received, & believed. Being baptized & Confirmed, others have continued to share the Gospel through the ages. The Spirit has enlivened Christian faithful and ensured the presence of God’s People upon the earth.

Do you feel Holy Spirit-filled? If not, the places we encounter & recognize the Holy Spirit listed in the Catechism (688) are great opportunities for you to open yourself more fully to the Spirit’s presence in your life. Reading the Scriptures, not just for Truth & moral wisdom, but to be more Spirit filled. Adhering to the unbroken Tradition and listening to the Magisterium of the bishops opens us to the Spirit. Worthy, open hearted celebration of the Sacraments and peace filled prayer are encounters with the Holy Spirit. Service & evangelization where your particular charisms & witness impact others with the grace of God express the Holy Spirit to the world. One cannot see the Holy Spirit Itself, but one can – and most certainly should – see the impact & influence of the Holy Spirit in the Church, in You.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love.

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Giving Witness to the Power of the Holy Spirit in Them, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries

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Our Summer in Youth Ministry

By Maria Hayes • July 18, 2025

Summer is always an awesome time in youth ministry! With more free time and the warm weather, there’s so much fun to be had with the teens of Holy Family! And as the Director of Youth Ministry, I have the privilege of hanging out with our students all summer long! First up was Summer Daze ! Summer Daze is a middle school service and social event that has been happening in our deanery for decades. Middle school students from across all 16 parishes are invited to join in four days of service in the community and an afternoon of social and fun! This year, a total of 21 students from Holy Family participated. From serving those in need at Harrison County Community Services to baking cookies and visiting some of our parishioners, our students had the opportunity to live out the principle that each person is made in the image and likeness of God. We ended each day with some fun: visiting Strike and Spare, Corydon Cinemas, and Malibu Jack’s! Some of our high schoolers attended Faith in Action , a local mission trip based at Mount Saint Francis, at the beginning of July. Some may know that FIA was a deanery staple, and it was reintroduced this year! Three students from Holy Family (and a couple of college and adult leaders) spent a week at a particular work site, refinishing and moving furniture for St. Vincent de Paul, serving the homeless at Harrison County Community Services, and so much more! The nights were spent back at the Mount, playing games, hearing witnesses, and worshipping the Lord in prayer and Adoration. Outside of service and mission opportunities, 13 students and some awesome parents joined us for our annual Holiday World adventure! Roller coasters, water coasters, and lots of walking always equal a fun day with friends! While summer continues to draw to a close, please keep our young people and our ministry in your prayers! Be sure to keep yourself updated on all things youth ministry on our website! In Christ, Abbi Harbeson