Cris Thompson
The first prayer we learn as Catholic children is the Sign of the Cross, which acknowledges one of the great mysteries of our faith: the belief in One God in Three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We often hear about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, or with God the Father, but what about the Holy Spirit?
On April 14, the Robson Ranch Catholic Community (RRCC) welcomed Matt Gill to share his insights on Developing a Personal Relationship with the Holy Spirit: Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit!). Matt is director of formation and evangelization at St. Philip Catholic Church in Flower Mound. He has worked in evangelization, Catechesis, and pastoral care for 30 plus years. He was the founder of the Catholic band, Remnant (1998-2008), and co-founded linktoliturgy.com.
Matt developed an identity for each of the Persons in the Holy Trinity by describing who they are, what they do, and our human relationship with each. God the Father is the Creator of all things. As our father, He loves us as His children. Jesus Christ taught us how to have a relationship with the Father in The Lord’s Prayer. We can identify with God the Son because he became human. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer who died for our sins and rose from the dead to bring us to eternal life. We maintain our relationship with Him by receiving the Eucharist.
The Third Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. He is the Sanctifier who lives inside every baptized person and will remain with us through prayer and receiving the Sacraments. He gives us Seven Gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God.
We can imagine the Holy Spirit as a dove that wants to “perch” in our soul, or as a flame that we want to continue to kindle, or the “breath” that gives us spiritual life.
The Veni Creator Spiritus Chant contains a beautiful description of how we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
The second annual Divine Mercy Retreat at Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House was attended by a great group of RRCC members. It was a day full of stimulating talks, prayer and quiet introspection in the beautiful grounds overlooking Lake Lewisville.
The following week, 60 RRCC members enjoyed a docent-led tour of the Kimball Art Museum’s special exhibit “The Holy Sepulchre: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem.” Many of the beautiful, highly crafted gold and silver sacred objects and embroidered vestments are still being used in religious ceremonies.
Upcoming Event
Tuesday, June 2 (6:30 p.m.) RRCC book group discussion—Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Fr. Jacques Philippe.
For further information about this and other events, please contact Joan Bridges at bridges84@msn.com.