"Why can't we literally storm heaven asking God through the power of the Holy Spirit to renew the Archdiocese, to unleash the Holy Spirit like a new Pentecost.  This could happen, I believe, if the hearts and minds of people believe in it and are open to the Holy Spirit's movement."

+  John Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane
Address at Prayer Gathering 23 April 2005

"I invite all Catholics to join with me in praying for the renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the life and mission of our Archdiocese."

"May Mary Magdalene, whose heart was filled with the power of the risen Christ be our inspiration and guide at this important moment in our history."

+  John Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane
Feast of St Mary Magdalene 22 July 2005

Holy Spirit,
we ask for a renewed outpouring
of your power, energy and gifts
upon our Archdiocese
so that our efforts
to embrace the person and vision of Jesus,
to build Communion with God and others,
and to engage in Christ's Mission in our world
will touch the hearts of many people
throughout southeast Queensland
and make a difference in our world.          Amen.

We ask you Holy Spirit to touch us:

in our unbelief,
that we may come to know Christ;

in our doubt and confusion,
that we may grow in God's wisdom and ways;

in our sinfulness,
that we may repent and turn towards life;

in our weakness and suffering,
that we may be strengthened and encouraged;

in our pursuit of peace and justice,
that we may be persevering in this work;

in our relationships and work,
that we may be courageous and passionate
in living the Gospel.          Amen.

Holy Spirit of Fire
Open our hearts
and the hearts of all people
to know You,
the original heart on fire.

Holy Spirit of Fire
Fire us with your energy and passion
for living the good news of Jesus
in our homes, workplaces and society.

Holy Spirit of Fire
Give us courage to face
the challenge of the Gospel
to our ways of thinking, being and acting.

Holy Spirit of Fire
Unite us with the great company of saints
strengthening and sustaining our zeal
for th life and mission of our Church
in this time and place.

Holy Spirit of Fire
Set our hearts on fire.          Amen.

Let us pray in the words of Scripture for:

1.  a clean heart and a steadfast and joyous spirit for all
"A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.  Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.  Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me."
Psalm 51:12-14

2.  the gifts of the Spirit for all people
"The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:  a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord."  Isaiah 11:2

3.  the presence of the Holy Spirit in all our lives
"And the angel said to her in reply,  'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.' "   Luke 1:35

4.  the renewal of baptism in the lives of all
"for John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit"   Acts 1:5

5.  the power from the Holy Spirit for all to give witness
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you;  and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   Acts 1:8

6.  the fruits of the Holy Spirit in all our lives
"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ... If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit."   Galatians 5:22,23a,25

Jesus, you made Mary Magdalene
the first witness to your resurrection.

May we learn to love you as she did
and always give you first place in our hearts.

Let our encounters with you
change us into faith-filled witnesses
so that we can proclaim with Mary,
"I have seen the Lord!"

Mary, Mother of Jesus, the first evangeliser and faithful helper of Christians today  ...  pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese.
Blessed Mary MacKillop, pioneer of new ways to live the Gospel in our land  ...  pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese.
St Stephen, first Christian martyr and patron of our Archdiocese  ...  pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese.
St Mary Magdalene, first witness to the resurrection of Jesus  ...  pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese.
St ___ (your parish/name/favourite/patron saint)  ...  pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese.