Without the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine cannot be changed into the body and blood of Christ. “That is why the priest says, ‘Send forth your Spirit’,” said Fr William Goh at the Pentecost Rally.Fr Goh, spiritual director of the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE), was speaking to some 1,000 people at the annual rally, held at the Church of Christ the King on May 27.
In his address, he urged the crowd to be aware of the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
“I know you love your body by going to the gym, [going for] manicures or make-overs. Know that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and take care of the inner body which is the Holy Spirit,” said Fr Goh, who is also rector of the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary.
He went on to discuss the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – understanding, reverence, fortitude, wisdom, fear of the Lord, counsel and knowledge – which were highlighted on seven banners placed across the altar area.
“The baptism of the Holy Spirit reactivates your baptism of faith and it’s when you make a conscious decision to be a Catholic”, he said.
Following the talk, Fr Goh led a prayer for the congregation to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as happened during the first Pentecost.
Prayer teams later prayed over individuals who wanted to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
During the Pentecost Eucharistic celebration which followed, Archbishop Nicholas Chia told participants: “Let us be reminded that Pentecost is not just one day, but every day. Without breath, there is no life. Without the Spirit, the Church is a field of dead bones!”
He also prayed for the Holy Spirit to “fall afresh” on the congregation.
The Pentecost rally was organised by SACCRE.
By Martin See
martin.see@catholic.org.sg
