I am your new administrator, with hopes to become your next pastor. As my new assignment was announced last weekend to you, and announced here at St. Edward, you are due some words from me. My first words to you are ones of prayer with you: “Come, Holy Spirit! Please help us all, now, to be docile to the Divine Will, ready to live in the grace of Your seven-fold holy gifts.”
Yes, before I tell you something of myself, let’s pray for the Holy Spirit and for His gifts.
Wisdom is the big picture Gift. “O Spirit, help us to trust in the Divine Plan, even when we can’t see how it’s working, such as when things don’t go so right. Help us to value what’s most important: Faith, Hope, Love. Guide us along our present way to goodness and victory in Thee”.
Understanding is the mind’s holy comprehension and the heart’s willingness to live in God’s mystery. “Help us, O God, in our thoughts and in our soulfulness to be engaged with You. While we can’t figure out everything in clarity, we understand how all things work out for the good for those who love the Lord, who are called into His plan”. (Romans 8:28)
Counsel is that holy ability to discern and decide what is best for ourselves and for the common good. “O Spirit of Good Counsel, please help us. Give us good insights for peace, healing and unity”.
Fortitude is that added strength that comes to us when we run out of our natural human supply. “You say to us, Jesus: The kingdom is at hand… the kingdom is within you… Fear not, I Am with you. Thank you, Lord and Spirit, Who teaches us always to live in Christ’s grace.” Once again, we learn anew that we are to rely on You, through times of trials, to find a supply of grace. Our human weakness and limitations remind us of our fallen nature, but grace builds us up for new life and new possibilities, born of the Spirit.
Knowledge is to have the mind of Christ, as to be in renewal and newness of life (Romans 12.1). “Spirit, lead us and help us to grow and to lovingly see, with our raised minds, our holy purposes, our call to live a mature faith. May we know You better, O God, as we walk these ways of life as your children of light.”
Piety is our reminder to be meek and holy, like our Savior, Who is our model. “O Jesus, You prayed, and You acted upon the promptings of Your Father. In that, You brought us the Kingdom of God, so that we might participate in it. O Spirit, help us be conformed to Jesus, that He may lead us to all righteousness and into both personal and communal holiness.”
Fear of the Lord (known now as Awe and Wonder) is the last of the Seven-Fold Gifts. “O Spirit of God, with all the burdens that come upon us from this broken world, and the weight of our many problems, help us so we are not lost in darkness but brought into the heavenly light, touched by Grace, restored, and whole in You. (Psalm 27 & Psalm 23). Shepherd us, O God! Amen.
Welcome aboard. We are happy to have you with us. Call on us for any assistance you need during transition.
Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just
wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your blog posts.
Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal
with the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
Father Barry! You were great for St. Edwards & you will be the same for Resurrection Parish!! You will be missed & May Our Lord Continue to Bless Father Barry!!
Fr. Barry, you had been a great pastor at St. Edward’s guiding us to walk the Faith. You are an instrument of God, you have brought us/me closer to God. We will never forget you! We’ll be praying for you that God keep you well, happy, loved and blessed always. We’ll surely miss you!