Gifts of the Holy Spirit
One way of looking at the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, in that they are all manifestations of love. Wisdom is the love that allows us to appreciate the goodness of God; Understanding is the love that penetrates the beauty of the truths of faith; Knowledge is the love that keeps us attentive to know both ourselves and the service which we must give to God and neighbor; Counsel is the love that cautions us to choose wisely the means to serve God and others; Fortitude is the love that encourages and animates our hearts to do what Counsel has determined for us to do; Piety is the love that gives us joy in doing the things that pleases God; Fear of the Lord is the love which makes us avoid what is displeasing to God.
Love is a language we speak most meaningfully beyond words. Love is the language of Pentecost which unites us all; if we don’t learn to speak it, we can only continue to speak the language of Babel which fragments the world in hostility and misunderstanding. The gift of love that the Holy Spirit gives us is a love that is not borne of selfishness but generosity, a love that is not borne of pride but humility, a love that is not borne of self-pity but joy, a love that is not borne of stagnation but bears fruit, a love that is not borne of fear but of courage and peace!
As St. Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians: we all have different gifts; different forms of service and different ways of manifesting the workings of the Holy Spirit within us. But all these gifts come from the same source and they are manifestations of the same Spirit, given to us for the benefit of the whole world. The power of the Holy Spirit worked wonders in and through the lives of the first disciples; it has worked wonders in and through the lives of believers through the ages. What wonders will the Holy Spirit work in and through us today?
This year, the Eucharistic Congress will be held on June 21 and 22 at the GICC. Once again, our church has been honored to do the First Reading in Chinese during the morning Adoration, and one of the intercessions during the closing Mass. Come and join us in carrying our church banner in the morning and evening processions. The morning procession starts at 8:30am on Saturday, June 22, and the evening procession starts at 4:45pm before the closing Mass.
Faith Formation Class for Adults in Cantonese is now being offered every Sunday at 12:30pm until August 11, 2019. We meet in the Reconciliation Room. All are welcome!
Our Fourth of July BBQ will be held this year at Pickneyville Park (Soccer Complex), 4707 S. Old Peachtree Road, Norcross 30071. Come and join us from 10am to 1pm for three hours of fun, fellowship and great food. The church will provide hot dogs and hamburgers; however, you may bring a dish to share. Donations for this event are welcome. Please register with Agnes or Anna if you are planning to attend.
On Sunday, July 7th, the Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Mission will celebrate the feast day of the Holy Martyrs of China. On October 1, 2000, Pope John Paul II officially canonized 120 Chinese Martyrs from the 17th century to 1930. Let us imitate the Chinese Martyrs for their unyielding faith and love for God. At the same time, we also pray as one with the faithful in China.
