Once Confirmed, you assume the position of “Informed, Practicing, Roman Catholics.”

Dear friends,

                I share you’re excitement for you’re Confirmation, now only a few days away!

                Once Confirmed, you assume the position of “Informed, Practicing, Roman Catholics.” We know

It takes more than simply receiving the Sacraments to prepare one for effective service for Christ and His Church.   

You’re participation in these studies testify as to just how aware of this you are and how committed you are to making a difference in what ever way the Holy Spirit directs. No doubt, God is well pleased and blessing you’re efforts.

I would like to discuss briefly with you The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, because we really did not cover them in class.

St. Paul actually list four separate list “of Gifts of the Holy Spirit”, but I could only locate three of them. {And you thought I knew everything!}

I suggest you look them up, 1 Cor. Chapter 12, Eph. Chapter 4, and Romans Chapter 12. You will note that each is somewhat different. This is because Paul tailored his message to the people to whom he was teaching. That is a good thing to remember.

The Gifts are given based on God’s needs and wants. However, it is completely suitable to seek gifts, especially in times of pressing and personal need. No two people have the identical gifts to the identical degree. And whatever gifts are granted are for the purpose of building up “the Church,” which might well include and encompass a current pressing need of yours.

The gifts are: All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
And gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of

 [I] Wisdom which is the doorway to all of the gifts.

[2] Understanding, is the ability to discern, and to share complex teachings
[3] Right judgment is “Prudence” the ability to do the right thing at the right time

[4] Courage, is oh, so necessary today, in order to not buy into what everyone else is doing

              [5] Knowledge is the gift of not knowing “all the answers, but knowing where and how to find and 

              Retrieve them

[6] Reverence. Also called, “fear of the Lord” is the grace to be ever mindful that indeed God is Mercy and full of Compassion, BUT He is and has to also always be Fair and Just.
Fill them with the spirit of

[7] Wonder and awe in your presence. May you NEVER become complacent in your Divine Worship, like oh! so many of today’s Catholics are. Lead by personal example. One cannot be too pious, too holy, in the very Presence of our God. Never be embarrassed to do what is right!

James 3: 17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.”

Eph. 1: 16 “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

1 Cor.3: 19 “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," 20 and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." 21 So let no one boast of men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; 23 and you are Christs; and [as] Christ is Gods.”

James 5: 5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. “

Mt.7: 7 "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

2 Tim. 2: 24 “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. “

Again, I thank you for this opportunity to share our faith. I am here to lead and to guide you, so don’t be bashful about asking questions or seek clarification, as going forward we will get into greater -depth.

If at anytime you wish to drop out that’s you’re call. I know you all have real lives to lead. No hard feelings. I’m here to serve you’re needs.

One other brief issue.

You likely have seen something about The University of Notre Dame a supposedly “Catholic University.” They are run by the Priest and Brother of Holy Cross, and were my teachers in high school.

It is one of the (actually was) the most prestigious Catholic Universities in America until about 30 to 40 years ago. It has become a highly secularized university, who clearly has joined with a great many of Americas Bishops [NOT OURS!] in opposition to the Pope and the Churches stand on many Moral issues. This weeks Catholic Register weekly paper, say’s only about 60 of Americas Bishops, 20 to 25% [ours did] supported the Pope, the Church and Catholic Moral teaching.

I share this because you can see from this only a small percentage of “catholic Bishops” are FULLY and Obedient Catholics. That friends is the climate of the times, and why it is so essential that we know, live and share our RC Faith! That is the root of the problems we face.

Should we expect to be treated any better than Christ was? Nope! So don’t be surprised when it happens.

A strong prayer life and spiritual life are essential tools to fight decadence and amoral behavior.

Soon we will introduce tow additional categories of study.

i Catholic “Wisdom of the Saints and Saintly People” and

i Catholic “Learning how to use the Bible.

Love and prayers, Pat