Vol. 6, No. 4, November, 2001

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

As you will read in this issue of MY WITNESSES, the Holy Spirit is in need of some public relations work. We attempt to do that in this and following issues. St. Paul affirms that without the Holy Spirit it is impossible even to proclaim that Jesus is our Lord, which is at the very root and beginning of every Christian message. In St. Augustine's Sermon 71 he says, "Without the Holy Spirit, whoever shouts'Abba' shouts it without effect. St. Peter defines the Apostles as "those who preach the gospel ... in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Pt. 1:12).

Jesus himself expresses the close bond between evangelization and the Holy Spirit. Appearing to the Apostles in the Cenacle, he said: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And then he breathed on them and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn. 20:21-22). After conferring on the Apostles the mandate to go out into the worked, Jesus also gave them the means by which to fulfill it the Holy Spirit.

Sr. Brigid gives much food for thought in this issue about the importance of the Holy Spirit, using images, symbols and scripture that will touch your heart and your mind. Without the Spirit evangelization will never be possible.

Allowing the Spirit to work through all men and women evangelizers, continues to be the call from the Holy Father. At times, however, he focuses on the role of women in this mission of the church. In her article, Sr. Angeline highlights various homilies and addresses of Pope John Paul II, bringing out the important role of women in evangelization.

The power of the Spirit is at work!