Background Notes

Jesus knew that unless the Father sent the Holy Spirit to the first Christians, his teachings and memory would soon fade. Only God’s Spirit would be able to keep the Gospel message burning in the hearts of Jesus’ followers. The Holy Spirit filled the hearts of the disciples and enabled them to teach and preach with great courage about Jesus of Nazareth and all that took place through his life, death, and Resurrection. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the same fervor.


"God’s Spirit in Us" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Recognizing the fruits of the Holy Spirit
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, candle, music, oil for anointing
Reading		Galatians 5:16, 22-26; Psalm 57:1-3,7-11
Music		"Come to the Table," "Glory to God" [Mass of Creation] Blest Are We Music CD 7-8, "You Call Us to Live," Christopher Walker, OCP Publications; "Send Down the Fire," Marty Haugen, GIA Publications
Preparation		Print out and photocopy the liturgy, "God’s Spirit in Us" for each participant. Identify the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) for participants and discuss how each might be lived. Select readers.
Adaptation		In advance, have participants create symbolic illustrations for each of the fruits of the Spirit. During the liturgy, have a participant bring the illustration forward for the matching fruit of the Spirit mentioned in the petitions.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see Prayer Celebrations, Middle School Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30570-1 Blest Are We Music CD, Levels 7 & 8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 Blest Are We Audio Cassette, Levels 7 & 8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-364534-6 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Words and melody for students; contains music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2