Embedded Files
What we want to learn
What we want to learn
-Confirmation is a Sacrament. This means it is Holy experience that helps us meet God and know him more deeply.
-Confirmation is a Sacrament. This means it is Holy experience that helps us meet God and know him more deeply.
-The Holy Spirit draws people together and builds unity.
-The Holy Spirit draws people together and builds unity.
-Pentecost is an important Christian feast (like Easter and Christmas) when the Holy Spirit fills the disciples and the Church with power to carry out God's mission.
-Pentecost is an important Christian feast (like Easter and Christmas) when the Holy Spirit fills the disciples and the Church with power to carry out God's mission.
-The Holy Spirit gives gifts and bears fruit in our lives. The Holy Spirit changes us. Filled with the Spirit, we change the world!
-The Holy Spirit gives gifts and bears fruit in our lives. The Holy Spirit changes us. Filled with the Spirit, we change the world!
The Holy Spirit brings Unity and a Shared Mission
The Holy Spirit brings Unity and a Shared Mission
Having a common goal draws people together. A lot of the men who served together in WWII described their fellow soldiers as even closer than family.
Having a common goal draws people together. A lot of the men who served together in WWII described their fellow soldiers as even closer than family.
The Church is like this when we live it well. That's why whenever groups of young people go off to Lourdes or to Malawi or World Youth Day, they come back as close friends with the unique bond of a shared experience of mission or pilgrimage.
The Church is like this when we live it well. That's why whenever groups of young people go off to Lourdes or to Malawi or World Youth Day, they come back as close friends with the unique bond of a shared experience of mission or pilgrimage.
The people we share our mission with become as close as our own family.
The people we share our mission with become as close as our own family.
These pictures show some of our teachers and young people on a trip to the World Youth Day in Poland back in 2016.
Task 1
Task 1
Watch the two videos below. One is an exaggerated example of team work from the movie, "Antz" and one is an amazing example of working together.
Think about anything you have accomplished as part of a group. Would it have been possible on your own or did you need the group? Send us your answers below using the form.
Task 1.mp4This video lesson explains Task 1. Please also read the text on the left.
Becoming God's People
Becoming God's People
As we work together and try to do God's will, we draw closer to who we are truly meant to be as individuals and as a community.
As we work together and try to do God's will, we draw closer to who we are truly meant to be as individuals and as a community.
Confirmation is the Sacrament that allows us to embrace the desire to be more like Christ and more filled with the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation is the Sacrament that allows us to embrace the desire to be more like Christ and more filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and the Feast of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit and the Feast of Pentecost
Task 2
Task 2
a) Read the explanation of Pentecost on this page.
a) Read the explanation of Pentecost on this page.
b) Watch the video below on the left of the screen. (That's all. No need to write anything!)
b) Watch the video below on the left of the screen. (That's all. No need to write anything!)
It will tell you about Pentecost and will even ask you to pause and watch a second video below on the right.
It will tell you about Pentecost and will even ask you to pause and watch a second video below on the right.
This is an artist's impression of how the scene might have looked with the disciples and Jesus' mother on Pentecost. St. Luke tells us that 3,000 people joined the disciples that day after hearing Peter preach.
When God appeared to Moses, the whole mountain was covered in fire. So when the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost, he appears as tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit is God living in our hearts, he sets us on fire and that changes everything.
Pentecost Pt. 1.mp4This video lesson explains what Pentecost is and gives some of the history. The only task is to watch a video.
The Holy Spirit writes God's Law on our hearts.
The Holy Spirit writes God's Law on our hearts.
Pentecost is the first experience in the Church of the Holy Spirit. For those of you into maths, you might like this.
Pentecost is the first experience in the Church of the Holy Spirit. For those of you into maths, you might like this.
PENT-ecost, suggests something to do with five. The reason for that is the feast is 50 days after Easter.
PENT-ecost, suggests something to do with five. The reason for that is the feast is 50 days after Easter.
In Jesus' time, the people waited seven weeks from Passover. (Easter takes place at Passover time.) Seven weeks of seven days makes 49 days, so after 49 days it was time for another celebration. Day 50 was a feast day!
In Jesus' time, the people waited seven weeks from Passover. (Easter takes place at Passover time.) Seven weeks of seven days makes 49 days, so after 49 days it was time for another celebration. Day 50 was a feast day!
The day commemorated when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Normally, we have heard about these, they are God's laws written on stone. Jesus summed up these laws by saying: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbour as yourself. That sort of teaching doesn't need slabs of stone anymore, God's law of love can be "written on our hearts."
The day commemorated when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Normally, we have heard about these, they are God's laws written on stone. Jesus summed up these laws by saying: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbour as yourself. That sort of teaching doesn't need slabs of stone anymore, God's law of love can be "written on our hearts."
This brief film summarises the story of Pentecost:
Pentecost.mp4The Holy Spirit and the Gifts
The Holy Spirit and the Gifts
Task 3
Task 3
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples so that they could be the people God wanted them to be and so that they could fulfil the mission Jesus had left them. St. Paul teaches us that the Holy Spirit inspires gifts in people: wisdom, understanding, courage and many others.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples so that they could be the people God wanted them to be and so that they could fulfil the mission Jesus had left them. St. Paul teaches us that the Holy Spirit inspires gifts in people: wisdom, understanding, courage and many others.
The gifts of the Spirit help us complete the plans God has for us and develop the gifts God has given us.
The gifts of the Spirit help us complete the plans God has for us and develop the gifts God has given us.
The Holy Spirit: Saints & Gifts.mp4This video lesson explains task 3 and asks what gifts you have and what gifts you would like to have. Please also read the text.
God's Favourite.mp4This video lesson is a story to think about. Am I really God's favourite?
If you are preparing for confirmation, who have you chosen as your confirmation saint? Do you remember anything about them. Think about some of the gifts or characteristics that drew you to your confirmation saint. For example, St. Margaret of Scotland cared for the poor, St. Cecilia because she was the patron of music or St. Patrick because of what he did for Ireland. Alternatively, think about the characteristics of someone else you admire for their good qualities and virtues.
If you are preparing for confirmation, who have you chosen as your confirmation saint? Do you remember anything about them. Think about some of the gifts or characteristics that drew you to your confirmation saint. For example, St. Margaret of Scotland cared for the poor, St. Cecilia because she was the patron of music or St. Patrick because of what he did for Ireland. Alternatively, think about the characteristics of someone else you admire for their good qualities and virtues.
Have you ever noticed your own gifts? Perhaps other people have told you about them, perhaps you realised for yourself. List some of your own gifts, talents and characteristics. Be honest.
Have you ever noticed your own gifts? Perhaps other people have told you about them, perhaps you realised for yourself. List some of your own gifts, talents and characteristics. Be honest.
A Light for all Nations
A Light for all Nations
The first thing that happened on the day when the Holy Spirit came was the disciples were able to miraculously speak other languages! The Good News was not just for people from one ethnic group or language group, it was for everyone!
The first thing that happened on the day when the Holy Spirit came was the disciples were able to miraculously speak other languages! The Good News was not just for people from one ethnic group or language group, it was for everyone!
Maybe that is an important message for us today. You cannot exclude anyone from the Love of God, it is a "light for all the nations."
Maybe that is an important message for us today. You cannot exclude anyone from the Love of God, it is a "light for all the nations."
When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the people who joined the Church that day became incredibly courageous. They were arrested, they got into 'fights' with the government, they got thrown out of synagogues and cities, they got beaten up and most of them even got put to death.
When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the people who joined the Church that day became incredibly courageous. They were arrested, they got into 'fights' with the government, they got thrown out of synagogues and cities, they got beaten up and most of them even got put to death.
Why? Because they would not stop talking about this man called Jesus who had changed their lives. He said he was God and he preached a powerful kind of love that transformed the lives of everyone: slave, free; man, woman; rich, poor; Roman, Greek or Jewish!
Why? Because they would not stop talking about this man called Jesus who had changed their lives. He said he was God and he preached a powerful kind of love that transformed the lives of everyone: slave, free; man, woman; rich, poor; Roman, Greek or Jewish!
Pope John Paul II was well known for speaking many languages and was a talented actor. He organised international World Youth Days where millions of young Catholics were able to meet other people of faith and participate in a world wide experience of unity. His talent for languages and performance made these events very special.
How do our gifts enrich the Church?
How do our gifts enrich the Church?
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The inside of St. Peter's Basilica has many magnificent works of art. Among them we can see the incredible work of a gifted artist and architect called Bernini.
At the far end, behind and above the altar, you can see one of these: an ornate stained glass depiction of a dove representing the Holy Spirit. It forms part of the main "Chair of St. Peter."
Bernini's Chair of St. Peter.
Bernini's Chair of St. Peter.
A dove is a far gentler depiction of God's presence in the Holy Spirit than the tongues of fire we see at Pentecost. As well as the powerful God of creation, he is a God of "loving kindness."
Close up
Close up
You might have noticed, on the altar we use for Mass in St. Luke's we chose a dove to represent our school value of love.
Where else have you seen the symbol of a dove used?
It is very hard to tell from the photo, the dove in the window is actually six feet wide!
Task 4: Reflecting on The GIfts.mp4This video lesson explains task 4. Please also read the text. It is a reflection so maybe find a quiet place to do it.
Task 4:
Task 4:
Bernini made St. Peter's into a beautiful building, but it is important to understand that the Church is more than just a building, it is the people around us and the life we share together in our families, our schools and our parishes.
Bernini made St. Peter's into a beautiful building, but it is important to understand that the Church is more than just a building, it is the people around us and the life we share together in our families, our schools and our parishes.
Stop for five minutes and think about your list of gifts. How could you use them to benefit others? Very few of us have the talent of Bernini but all of us have gifts to offer.
Stop for five minutes and think about your list of gifts. How could you use them to benefit others? Very few of us have the talent of Bernini but all of us have gifts to offer.
Take a minute to pray and ask for wisdom to see the gifts of God in your life and the ways in which you can enrich those around you.
Take a minute to pray and ask for wisdom to see the gifts of God in your life and the ways in which you can enrich those around you.
Finally, ask him for more gifts. Do you need courage, wisdom, hope, faith, patience or any thing else? Jesus always encourages us to ask.
Finally, ask him for more gifts. Do you need courage, wisdom, hope, faith, patience or any thing else? Jesus always encourages us to ask.
"The loving-kindness of the heart of our God who visits us like the dawn from on high!" Luke 1; 78
"The loving-kindness of the heart of our God who visits us like the dawn from on high!" Luke 1; 78
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