Life in the Spirit: Preparing for Pentecost

The Brothers of the Beloved Disciple Religious Community, working with the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal in San Antonio, presented 2 city wide Life in the Spirit Retreat days at the hall of St. Mary Magdalen Church as a way to help people to prepare for Pentecost Sunday on May 19. The May 4 retreat was in Spanish. It was attended by 165 people. The English retreat day was on May 18. 250 people attended. The day included song and praise, teaching, discussions in small groups, and prayer times.

Fr. Will combs, BBD, Fr. Sean Stilson, BBD, Brother Ruben Garza, BBD, Fr. Larry Serott, BBD, and Fr. Bob Hogan, BBD gave the presentations, which focused on:

  1. God’s Love: The love that God shows us through Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit “pours God’s love into our hearts.”
  2. Salvation: The Holy Spirit revealing the gift of salvation through Jesus, as he convicts us of sin, and convinces us of Jesus’ victory over sin. Only through the Holy Spirit do we say “Jesus is Lord,” and choose to be committed disciples of Jesus.
  3. The Importance that Jesus Gives to the Holy Spirit: Jesus is the messiah (Christ, Anointed One) who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, giving us “power from on high,” guidance, comfort, love, peace, and reveals the full truth of Jesus.
  4. The Spiritual Gifts (charisms): The Holy Spirit empowers us with charisms (spiritual gifts) so that God can work through us to “manifest” Jesus’ presence to others, and to serve others.
  5. Prayer for Baptism in the Holy Spirit: People were prayed with for the baptism in the Holy Spirit to make alive the presence of the Holy Spirit that they have through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation; to “stir into a flame” (2 Tim 1:6) the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Bob (director of the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal for the Archdiocese of San Antonio) prayed for the whole group together and then coordinated leaders from prayer groups throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio in helping as prayer ministers to pray for people individually.
  6. Growth and Transformation in the Holy Spirit: Developing a lifestyle in the Holy Spirit.

These were very joyful days with many great testimonies of the ways the Holy Spirit was touching people’s lives. The Life in the Spirit Retreat Day is offered to parishes through the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal. Contact Fr. Bob Hogan, BBD at 210-226-7545.