We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the Pentecost Challenge, whether you sent in a testimonial or expressed that you felt the Holy Spirit in your life this year! Here are all the testimonials that we collected for 2025:
“Increased my Faith and Prayer life – 60 years ago came to me so that I felt and heard the sound of the roaring wind and was raised up to the loving arms of Jesus (after doctors had told my family I had died) A miracle of renewed life – and a deep love of God and Holy Spirit.”
“When I ask the Holy Spirit for help with the trials in my life, He answers without delay, giving me comfort, strength and courage. He never fails.”
“Little moments matter. Moments where I have a question in mind, and I read the Bible or Christian books that miraculously answers the very question I had the previous day, just as if the Holy Spirit was listening and answered me Himself. Or moments of feeling sad and receiving a hug from another parishioner. Moments of struggling with a relationship and it being resolved immediately after deep prayer. Moments of feeling tears in my eyes when receiving the Eucharist or praying the rosary. These moments are beautiful, because in these little moments, they become big moments in our hearts that we remember forever, and know that we are loved and cared for.”
“By finally waking me up to follow in the lords ways. I am a new person now.”
“The Beautiful Spirit of God lives in my heart and speaks to me each day, giving me words of comfort and correction when needed. As I continue on this path with Him, our relationship becomes more and more intimate.”
“When I was first invited by Donna Webb to do a reflection on the gospel of the day for Morning Prayer, I was very hesitant. I felt very ill equipped to try and correctly relate Jesus’ intended teachings to the audiences, both in the Zoom room and those who were watching online. i was not a priest, nor did I possess a diploma or degree in theology. Finally, believing Donna, that the Holy Spirit would help me in my preparation and delivery, I agreed to give it a try. Well, 21 or so reflections later I can truly attest to His descent upon and within me. He guided me to find to a few resources that would advance my understanding of Jesus’ messages; and as well, had me experience the “out of nowhere” thoughts or intuitions that came to me, directing that I add, delete or revise thoughts already written. In so doing, I ended up with a document that portrayed what Jesus intended people to hear. And each and every time I began the reading of the Gospel and my reflection, I would be filled with a peace and calm that took me by surprise. I tell you most assuredly, when you call on Him, He shows up with gifts beyond what you asked for. And I offer Him my gratitude for being the reason for successes I have had in understanding and sharing God’s good news amongst us.”
“So many… this is just one… My uncle passed away in December after a difficult fight with cancer. As I was preparing to go visit for what was probably going to be our last visit, I decided to take a small bottle of Holy Water. Praying together was not something we’d done before. He was Christian but a different faith. As we sat together, talking quietly when he was able to’ The holy water felt heavy in my pocket… could I ask him if we could pray?? It was the Holy Spirit that spoke to my heart and said. ” Just ask”. So I did… my uncle nodded yes.. and I Blessed him with the water and I said a little prayer over him… my uncle opened his eyes and looked at me.. asked if it was Holy water from my church.. and when I told him yes.. he held out his hand and asked for more… and then he rubbed it over his face and arms. And gave me that beautiful smile of his. It was our last visit.. and one I will never forget. Thank you Holy Spirit.”
“Several years ago I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to gift a friend whose husband was terminally ill with a beautiful comfort cross that meant a lot to me. I followed the prompting, somewhat begrudgingly, only to be told the next day that she had lost an identical cross that had been bringing her great solace during that difficult period and had been shaking her fist at God saying “I want my cross!” on the very day that my cross arrived at her front door! I was humbled that God had used me and my little wooden cross to show her He heard and answered her, but will admit I still thought longingly about my cross from time to time. I had shared the story at Alpha this past year as an example of how the Holy Spirit uses us to touch others with God’s love. Imagine my delight when I opened an envelope a few weeks later to find a note from an Alpha guest and a comfort cross she had in her home that she felt prompted to send to me! The Holy Spirit heard the groaning of my heart and showed me that my prayers were also heard!”
“By being present in my life and knowing I could feel His presence there, so unexpected on an ordinary day.”
“Words of worship and thanksgiving come much more freely to me in prayer. I’ve noticed this in the last number of years. I also recently witnessed to a gentleman whose father had died. I worked with the deceased for a number of years. While attending his Celebration of Life, the son volunteered that the family was going to have a meeting about what to do with his ashes. I told him the ashes should be buried in holy ground.”
“I was asked to give an interview about Outreach for our parish. I was very nervous and before I started just kept praying “come Holy Spirit” over and over. When the interview was over I thought I did horrible but got many compliments on the interview. I know somehow the Holy Spirit came through for me!”
“It was during the testimony at my father’s funeral service that the Holy Spirit moved me. It was a testimony on behalf of my brother, my sister and me. I knew it would be completely different from theirs because I wanted to testify to my father’s great faith more than anything else, whereas their testimonies would have been much less spiritual. Until the morning, I hesitated because I felt uncomfortable talking about my father’s Christian and Catholic faith in front of an audience who, I knew, many no longer practice or have simply turned to other spiritual paths that are not attached to Christianity. How could I explain to such an audience that my father met his Creator every evening when he went to pray in front of the tabernacle in the little chapel in the building where he was staying? And why, although I was saddened, I was also happy about my father’s death, knowing that Jesus unquestionably recognized and welcomed him when he arrived in heaven. What also delighted me, and became a certainty that the Holy Spirit was speaking through me during my testimony, was the number of people who came to see me and thank me for such a testimony of faith on my part too. It was also a comfort to them in their faith, as they too faced the world’s growing indifference to God.”
“The Holy Spirit has been with me in my personal life as well as my work life. I have learned that I need to call on the Holy Spirit to continue to guide me in the right direction and to remind me that all that I do is for the Glory of God and for no other purpose. Everything comes through the Holy Spirit and all I need to do is stop, ask and listen.”
“The Holy Spirit has granted me with a deeper sense of connection to my community this year. I feel so much love and joy here in Christ the King Parish, and it has inspired me to go out into the community and make it a better place. I am given the energy to volunteer my time and provide to others who are in need.”
“I feel that the Holy Spirit has worked within me and helped me understand the gospel in a clearer way. I recently felt empowered to discuss and explain the Easter Triduum to a non-believer, something I was not comfortable with until recently.”
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