Last Class

We can't believe it. Our final class of the year is over and done. The last class of the year will almost always involve the Pentecost presentation. This presentation involves a reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4:

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

This proclamation is followed by the presentation of the 7 gifts of the Spirit. Each gift has a red ("red is for Pentecost!") candle and a red tent card that lists the gift and its explanation. For the first time this year, we also made individual gift cards in the shape of a red flame that had the gift and description on it. As we lit each candle, we explained the gift and what it was:

Wisdom: that we might know in our inner self the greatness of God and be able to share that with another in their time of need.
Understanding: That we might know God more and more
Knowledge: That we might know more
Counsel: That we might know what to do and how to do it
Fortitude: Strength: that our faith in God might be strong
Piety: That we might love God totally
Fear of the Lord: That we might be aware of the greatness of God

One child chose wisdom and said, "I think that my gift is already at work in me, but in a hidden way...kind of like Jesus was hidden in the Good Shepherd...the Holy Spirit is hidden in the flame."

What a way to end the year. Of course we still have First Communion meetings to go, and those are always very wonderful and exciting... Keep us all in your prayers as we prepare the children for this special gift: Jesus himself!

God Bless,

Mandie DeVries, Catechist & Director of Faith Formation