SCHOOL OF LEADERS RECAP by RICK KLARMANN, ASSISTANT LAY DIRECTOR

May School of Leaders

We started the evening off with song and we shared in small groups; What talents or gifts do I possess and how are they manifested?. 

Sister Clara presented a Doctrinal Talk about the Holy Spirit. She opened with some of the attributes of the Holy Spirit, that He is our Counselor, Teacher, Advocate, Comforter, and more.  Sister also shared insights into the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as the fruits of the gifts.  She spoke about the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.  She explained about that through wisdom we come to value the things we believe through faith, and Understanding allows us to grasp, as least to a limited degree the truth about what we believe.  The gift of Counsel allows us to judge how best to act and Fortitude, which is more than courage, gives us the strength to follow through with the actions suggested by counsel. In the gift of Knowledge the Holy Spirit helps us to judge things according to the truth that is revealed to us by God and helps discern the purpose of our lives.  In Piety we become willing to worship and serve the Lord, but this service is performed not out of a sense of duty but out of love for the Lord.  Finally, the gift of Fear of the Lord is not being afraid of God, but awe.  Fear of the Lord confirms the virtue of hope as we are filled with the Grace to love and serve Him.

Sister Clara went on to explain that from the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit there are Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. It was interesting that from Seven Gifts the Holy Spirit produces Twelve Fruits.  The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are which are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith,, Long suffering, Mildness, Modesty, Self-control and Chastity.  It was interesting that Sister Clara's description of the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, matched very well with last months discussion about the DNA of the Cursillista. 

Throughout the evening, the theme about gifts and talents was repeated.  Which led directly to the open dialogue Ronnie had with the community touching on first being a friend then sponsoring.  Ronnie asked the community to think about sponsoring candidates as an Ultreya in order share some of the responsibilities.  Ronnie then asked the community to think about team selection for the upcoming weekends. Finally she asked the community about sharing their talents as heads of sections. or consider being responsible for sending and receiving Palanca from other communities from around the world.  She asked that the community think about sharing their gifts and how we as a community will share with others.

The evening ended with a brief meditation and prayer.

God bless, Rick