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The Alpha journey begins on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 6:00 pm in the Clunan Center. Join us for food, talk and conversation.

Click here for more information about Alpha.

Fr. Jeo Manickathan Poulose is an ordained priest of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (M.C.B.S). Fr. Jeo was born the youngest of three children, on March 28, 1985 in Kerala, South India.  After completing high school, he joined the seminary in June 2000. He did his Studies in Philosophy and Theology from Jeevalaya Institute of Philology, Bangalore and Blessed Sacrament institute, (Affiliated to Urbaniana, Rome) Kerala in India.

He received his diaconate on December 22, 2010. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on January 1, 2012. Fr. Jeo served the M.C.B.S. congregation as Director of Sampreethy, (Special Needs Children) (2012-2015) and Manager of High Range Public School, Kerala (2015-2017) in India. He came to the United States in November, 2017 and has been serving as an Associate Pastor at Holy Rosary Parish. In his spare time, Fr. Jeo likes to play volleyball and ride his bike.

Fr. Jeo will join St. Louis Catholic Church as our Associate Pastor on July 1, 2019. Welcome Fr. Jeo!

 

Click here for complete listing of transfers in the Diocese of Memphis

       

The Ascension of Jesus & the Holy Spirit Novena to Pentecost
 Ascension Thursday is closely connected with Pentecost. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples were instructed to go to Jerusalem and wait. They, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, waited and prayed for a period of 9 days until the Holy Spirit was poured out on them at Pentecost. Although Jesus’ physical presence was taken from them with his Ascension into heaven, he did not leave them as orphans; he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in their souls and to guide them into all truth.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14).
In fact, Jesus told his disciples that unless he ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit would not come to them. This period of 9 days that the Apostles prayed and waited, from the Ascension to Pentecost, was the Church’s first novena, and the biblical precedent for all the various novenas that believers pray today.
This period of nine days of prayer to the Holy Spirit is something that we can enter into again. We will begin the Holy Spirit Novena on Friday
 and conclude 9 days later, on the vigil of Pentecost.
__________
NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Grant me,
the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal,
the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth,
the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,
the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,
the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,
the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and
the Spirit of Fear of the Lord that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.
The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was
first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back
to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It
is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the
Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and
strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

Here are some messages from Our Lady regarding this Novena
 June 2, 1984 (Saturday) “Dear children! Tonight I wish to tell
you during the days of this novena to pray for the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit on your families and on your parish. Pray, and
you shall not regret it. God will give you gifts by which you
will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth. Thank
you for having responded to my call.”

May 25, 1990 “Dear children! I invite you to decide with
seriousness to live this novena. Consecrate the time to prayer
and to sacrifice. I am with you and I desire to help you to grow
in renunciation and mortification, that you may be able to
understand the beauty of the life of people who go on giving
themselves to me in special way. Dear children, God blesses you
day after day and desires a change of your life. Therefore, pray
that you may have the strength to change your life. Thank you for
having responded to my call.”

Can we pray this together as a group for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
upon all of us and our families  and for the world?  Pray and
Our Mother says. What a wonderful way to prepare for Pentecost!
(to be recited daily during the Novena)
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself,
soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your
purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You
are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire
never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to
be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and
grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and
follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask
You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced
Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against
You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to
You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.” Amen.
To be recited daily during the Novena
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the
Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples,
deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the
work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may
despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things
that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the
light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the
surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I
may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the
obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God
and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of
Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of
Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in
any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true
disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Day 1
FIRST DAY
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming
radiance give!
The Holy Spirit
Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is
to be feared–sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His
sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the
heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine
Spirit daily, for “The Spirit help our infirmity. We know not what we should
pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the
Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth
from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and
Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and
Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
————————-
SECOND DAY
Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that
live!
The Gift of Fear
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread
nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the
thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our
heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us
from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that
fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their
souls.”
Prayer
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set
you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that
can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine
Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed
Trinity, God world without end. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
———————–
THIRD DAY
Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace
bestow.
The Gift of Piety
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most
loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and
things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority,
His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents
and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of
Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a
delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love
for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake
lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
———————
FOURTH DAY
Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the
midst of woe.
The Gift of Fortitude
The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against
natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude
imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without
hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human
respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong
tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and
adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me
courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and
separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
————————–
FIFTH DAY
Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost
being fill!
The Gift of Knowledge
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true
worth–in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures,
reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments
in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and
directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we
put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else.
“Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.”
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of
the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their
vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond
them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
————————
SIXTH DAY
If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is
turn’d to ill.
The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of
the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we
learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner
meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life.
Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that
bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of
God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and
believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal
light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and
the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
——————
SEVENTH DAY
Heal our wounds–our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the
stains of guilt away.
The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to
judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult
circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and
Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course
of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens.
Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of
salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct
thy way in truth.”
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always
do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all
that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that
goal of eternal life for which I long.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
————————–
EIGHTH DAY
Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the
steps that go astray!
The Gift of Wisdom
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom
is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came
to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of
Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and
promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the
mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly
joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness
according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my
yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly
things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above
and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain
them and possess them for ever. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts
—————-
NINTH DAY
Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift,
Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give
them joys which never end. Amen
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to
practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the
knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service
becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such
acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as
Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue
more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the
service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.
Prayer
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy,
peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I
may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to
Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the
Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts