SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 16, 2020

What the Creed Says about the Holy Spirit — by Dcn. Dennis Walters —

T he third Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. But, by saying “third

Person,” we don’t mean to suggest that the Spirit is lowest in rank among Persons in the Trinity or that He is least important. All Persons of the Trinity are of equal importance, since all are one God.

The Church Fathers saw the need to teach about the Holy Spirit, despite the difficulty of finding appropriate language. He has no human face as Jesus does. His name in most languages including Hebrew means “breath” or “wind,” suggesting movement of some invisible power – the English word “ghost” originally meant a blast of air. The earliest Christian creeds – including the Apostles Creed – simply mentioned the Holy Spirit with no elaboration.

But questions about the Holy Spirit kept coming up. Heretics were claiming that the Holy Spirit was not a real Person but was either an impersonal force (as in the Old Testament) or a creature (as Arius had said of the Son). So the bishops meeting at Constantinople added to the Nicene Creed a series of phrases rich in biblical allusion to

clarify Christian belief. The first phrase calls the Holy Spirit “the

Lord, the giver of life.” In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was viewed as the “breath” of God – very powerful, very active, coming from God but not God Himself. The Spirit enters into man as the breath of life, as it did for Adam. It rushes upon kings like David and prophets like Isaiah, transforming them

with power. It raises dry bones to life, restoring Israel’s dead hopes after the exile and suggesting physical resurrection. At creation, the Spirit hovers over the abyss, giving shape and form to chaos. (The image suggests a bird, like the dove that brought an olive branch to Noah after the flood, or

that appeared over Jesus at his baptism – hence the symbolism of the Spirit as a dove.)

The New Testament mentions the Holy Spirit more than 240 times. There, the Spirit has many of the same functions as in the Old Testament but with some significant changes. For example, the Spirit is a “He” not an “It,” a divine Person who guides, teaches mankind, bears witness, probes the human heart, and can be continued on p. 2 >> >

page 2 • February 16, 2020 The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, MI

grieved by sin. He is a paraclete, a counselor who witnesses to the truth, and a judge who convicts the world of sin. He is an indwelling presence, inhabiting the faithful as in a temple, who prays in us, purifies us, and pours out spiritual gifts.

Second, the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” The Spirit originates from the Father just as the Son does, but the language of relationship is different. Whereas the Son is eternally begotten by the Father, the Spirit “spirates” ─ is breathed forth ─ from the Father, using the language of what we are most familiar with: the movement of air. But the overall meaning of relationship of the Spirit to the Father is the same as for the Son; only the analogy is different. The Orthodox reject the phrase “from the Father and the Son” in the Creed because it was added by the Latin Church without Eastern participation – but they do agree that the Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son, which is essentially the same thing.

Third, the Church Fathers specified that the Holy Spirit “is adored and glorified” along with the Father and the Son. This article simply confirms the divinity of the Holy Spirit as a Person of the Trinity, consubstantial with the Father and the Son. Although the Nicene Creed doesn’t explicitly call the Holy Spirit God, it says as much by saying that Christians worship and glorify Him. As the Catechism puts it, “The One whom the Father has sent into our hearts, the Spirit of his Son, is truly God.”

Lastly, the Creed points out that the Holy Spirit “has spoken through the prophets.” The act of speaking proves the personality of the Holy Spirit, since impersonal forces don’t speak. The channel of communication is through the prophets, a group that can include all the biblical prophets, but also the whole of Scripture and Tradition. This point is foundational to everything we believe: It is because of prophecy that we know what God wants to say to us about Himself and ourselves, and how we two relate. If it were not for the Holy Spirit speaking through the prophets, our religion would be our own invention, no more true or false than any other. The fact that the Holy Spirit speaks through the prophets guarantees that our religion is true.

Which is why St. Paul lays such heavy emphasis on prophecy in 1st Corinthians: “Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” Prophecy doesn’t usually predict future events; typically, it speaks what God wants His people to know about His concerns for their own conduct and its consequences. “The word of the Lord” comes from God, not

DCN. DENNIS’ ARTICLE FROM PAGE 1, continued: What the Creed Says about the Holy Spirit

St. Mary’s Parish Weekly Calendar ◆ Feb. 15-23, 2020 Mass Intention [requested by], & parish activities

SAT. FEB. 15 Weekday (opt. mem. Blessed Virgin Mary )

3:30-4:30pm Confessions 5:00pm Vigil MASS for the Sixth Sunday in

Ordinary Time: Lorraine Kwolek [Bill and Sandi Kwolek]

SUN. FEB. 16 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00-8:15am Confession 8:30am MASS: Lillian Van Riper: anniversary of

death [Alice Kidd] 9:30-10:30am Religious Educ classes gr. 1-8 / FFH 10:00-10:15am Confession

10:30am MASS: For the people

MON. FEB. 17 Weekday (opt. mem. The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order )

NO MASS in Manchester today 1:00pm “Genesis to Jesus” Bible Study / FFH 7:15pm “Genesis to Jesus” Bible Study / FFH

TUES. FEB. 18 Weekday

NO MASS in Manchester today

WED. FEB. 19 Weekday

NO MASS in Manchester today 7:00pm Adult Choir Rehearsal / Church

THUR. FEB. 20 Weekday

8:30am MASS: Al Kwolek [Bill and Sandi Kwolek]

FRI. FEB. 21 Weekday (opt mem St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)

8:30am MASS: Al Kwolek [John and Tina Doyle & Family]

9:15am Intercessory Prayer Group / FFH 7:00 pm Praise & Worship / FFH

SAT. FEB. 22 Feast: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

3:30-4:30pm Confessions 5:00pm Vigil MASS for the Seventh Sunday in

Ordinary Time: Jim Shafer: anniversary of his death [his wife Patricia]

6:30 pm Youth Group Mardi Gras Party / FFH

SUN. FEB. 23 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00-8:15am Confession 8:30am MASS: Herman Hessling [Bill & Astrida

Punches] 9:30-10:30am Religious Educ classes gr. 1-8 / in

the church for Lent preparation activities 10:00-10:15am Confession 10:30am MASS: For the people

continued on p. 3 > > >

1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34 • Mk 8:1-10

Sir 15:15-20 1 Cor 2:6-10 Mt 5:17-37 (or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37 Jas 1:1-11 • Mk 8:11-13 Jas 1:12-18 • Mk 8:14-21 Jas 1:19-27 • Mk 8:22-26 Jas 2:1-9 • Mk 8:27-33 Jas 2:14-24, 26 Mk 8:34–9:1

1 Pt 5:1-4 • Mt 16:13-19

Lv 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Cor 3:16-23 Mt 5:38-48

Feb. 16… Todd Ducsay …Gary O’Hotzke …Jay Schwab

Feb. 17… Scott Strong Feb. 20… Rebekkah

Schiel

Feb. 21… Tyler Ball …Claudia Damian …Elizabeth

Daubner Feb. 22… Loretta

Widmayer BIR

TH

DA

Y

BLESS

ING

S

Ash Wednesday will be here in just 10 days! Consider your commitment to Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving…

St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, MI The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 16, 2020 • page 3

“Disciple Maker Index” Survey is now active! The “Disciple Maker Index” survey is now available for you to complete online and on paper.

To complete the survey online, please go to www.DiscipleMakerIndex.com. To complete the survey on paper, pick up a copy of the survey in the church vestibule. You can return the completed survey in the collection box in the vestibule. And thank you for making the time for this important activity. — Dcn. Dennis

A Wonderful Opportunity for all ages! St. Mary “Praise & Worship” will be held at the church this coming Fri., Feb. 21 at 7:00pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity to evangelize, and you are encouraged to invite friends from our parish and other churches in the community. All (ages) are welcome. — Dan and Deb Burch

Our Parish Book Club The first book-of-the-month-club will meet Thurs., Feb. 27 at 6:30pm in the FFH. Please have

read The Gift by Richard Paul Evans. — Lynn Waldecker Save the Dates!

Lent will soon be here, so be sure to put on your calendar: 1) Sunrise Mass on Ash Wednesday: at 7am with Imposition of Ashes; 2) Days of Fasting – Ash Wednesday & Good Friday – and of Abstinence – Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent; 3) Stations of the Cross: Fridays at 7:30pm and/or 20 minutes before each of the weekend Masses; 4) Fish Fry Dinners each Friday: “All-you-can-eat” on the six Fridays of Lent at the Parish Center, starting at 4:30pm (dine-in or carry-out); 5) Almsgiving on Ash Wednesday: collection will be for the poor & needy.

“Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Presence and Protection” A Lenten Morning of Prayer & Reflection will be held Sat., Feb. 29 at Christ the King Catholic

Church, 4000 Ave Maria Drive, Ann Arbor. Keri Tarrant will speak on the rich legacy of Our Lady’s presence in the Carmelite tradition and the benefits and protection she offers to those who entrust themselves to her loving care. From 9am-noon, beginning with Mass, then refreshments, Keri’s presentation, and a time of prayer, reflection, and discussion. Registration not required. No charge, but a free will offering will be taken. More info at www.carmelite-annarbor.org.

Lenten Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Opportunity Instead of giving up candy for Lent, why not commit to strengthening your marriage and your

faith by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend on Feb. 28-Mar. 1 at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Apply today at wwme.org or contact Chris & Darla Vinton at 269-953-8287 for more info.

“Voting Pro-Life in Michigan” Hear a talk by Barbara Listing, president of Right to Life Michigan, on Thurs, Feb. 20 at

Living Word Church in Plymouth, MI. Info at plymouthrtl.org/events or call 734-386-0601.

NEED HELP? “AA” group meets Tuesdays at 7:00pm at Manchester United Methodist

Church, 501 Ann Arbor St.

NEED HELP? ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION:

Call (734) 994-8863 or the 24-hour Hotline 800-712-HELP

Or visit arborwoman.com/abortion/

Need Help? PROJECT RACHEL (post-abortion reconciliation

and healing) Call the confidential phone line: 517-993-0291, or email

nlc@resurrectionlansing.org

NEED HELP? “COURAGE” is a Catholic (endorsed by Diocese) spiritual support group for those struggling with same sex attraction. “ENCOURAGE” is a separate support group for families & friends. Call 810-231-9199 ext. 202 or email frjohnrocus@holyspiritrcs.org

0 St. Mary Roman Catholic Church

Stewardship WEEKLY COLLECTION: Sunday, February 2, 2020

Sunday Env (90) ............... $ 4,937.00 Welcome&Loose ................. $ 205.00 E-Giving General ............... $ 556.95 Fuel ...................................... $ 10.00

Combined toward budget: $ 5,708.95 Budget goal: ..................... $5,300.00 Amt OVER goal: ............. + $ 408.95

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS: Buildings & Maintenance .... $ 455.00 Worldwide Evang .................. $ 55.00 Poor Box ............................... $ 2.25

Votive Candles ................. $ 71.00

Dcn. Dennis’s homily “What the Creed Says about the Holy Spirit “ continued from p. 2

• Ray Seghers • Baby Bryson

Corker & his parents

• Aimee Simpson

• Matt Beals • Virginia

Strong • Leon Ball • Brian Ball • Connie and

Frank Stancato

• Eddie Walz • Paula Saft • Tom Kladzyk • Wilma Lentz • Bruce

Sommers • Anna

Maisano • Priscilla Hale • Duane Beuerle

…and for the repose of the

soul of +Scott Parcha

P A R I S H & A R E A N E W S Please Pray for…

Altar Flowers for the week of Sunday, Feb. 16… In honor of Pete’s sister

Gloria Morris’ 90th birthday & in remembrance of

their mother +Claudina Roncoli on her birthday (PETE & INGE RONCOLI)

1) For the repose of the soul of +Leocadia Maryan Wallison

(St. Mary’s Altar Society) 2) …

The SANCTUARY LAMPS are burning this week for the following intentions: PLEASE PRAY THIS WEEK…

the prophet, and includes both the content of the word and the impetus to deliver it. The word is usually urgent, unexpected, and sometimes contrary to what the prophet would prefer to say, and it typically has meaning beyond the current situation.

Biblical prophecy is part of God’s public revelation of himself, and requires belief and a response from the entire Church. Prophecy that occurs after the apostolic age is considered private revelation, which calls for careful discernment by the Church community. St. Paul warns us not to despise prophecy, but to test it and hold on to what is good. And of course, all prophecy is to be exercised in love.

What the Creed says about the Church and our hope of eternal life is the result of the Spirit’s activity, which we’ll take up next week.

(Need Prayer? Contact the St. Mary Prayer Tree by calling the Parish Office at 428-8811.)