WITNESS TALK - JENN TUCKER

At first thought the idea of speaking to the entire parish about the Holy Spirit
was entirely frightening. As soon as I hung up the phone with Mary Gallagher
telling her I would think about doing this, all I could think of was what could
I possibly have to say about the holy spirit that anyone would even care to
listen to? What is the Holy Spirit and how is it present in my life?

The Holy Spirit is present in so many places. The Holy Spirit was here a couple
weeks ago, at the 11 o'clock mass when I watched Father Moran tell 12 or so
second graders making their first communion that Jesus loves them. The Holy
spirit was also here last Friday night when I watched my brother and 60 other
sophomores experience the sacrament of Confirmation. And I think that the Holy
Spirit was present during my Number Theory final on Monday, because somehow I
think I may have managed an A or a B.

The Holy Spirit in my life is a presence of courage and strength to get through
my days despite any obstacles I have to overcome. Where do I find the Holy
Spirit in my life? The answer actually came to me last week during my younger
brother's Confirmation and how I hadn't realized it right away is beyond me. The
answer is quite simply, my family. They are the foundation of who I am and who I
will become in the future. I believe that each member of my family carries a
piece of the Holy Spirit inside of them whether they realize it or not. They are
my strength, my courage, my knowledge and my inspiration and everything that I
succeed in is because of them.

My mother is that bit of fire in my life. Out of all the heroes in the world, no
one compares to Mom. Many people have told me that my mother is a strong woman
and she doesn't understand it, but I see it more than anyone. My mother has been
dealing with an illness the past few years and may think that the illness has
weakened her, but that is hardly the case. She sparks me to become a better
person and to strive to become someone as great as her someday. My father is
more inspiring than he realizes. In the past few years I have watched him stand
by my mother through everything she has gone through and return to religion to
guide him. My older brother Bill has knowledge and wisdom that he shares with me
and it encourages me to deepen my understanding of life. Michael, my younger
brother keeps a smile on my face and holds the family together with his easy
going nature.

If these four people are not examples of the Holy Spirit...then I do not know
what the Holy Spirit is.

I have a long road ahead of me in life and I know that there are experiences I
will have in which I will look to my family to guide me and in doing this in a
deeper sense I am looking to the Holy Spirit because I know they hold him inside
all of them.

God bless you and may the Holy Spirit bring you strength in your lives.