EDMONTON – “My husband Darryl and I were both raised Protestants, and we were very devout. Then we realized that we are not saved by faith alone, and that’s a Protestant’s pillar,” said Julie Tymchuk, a catechumen from Vegreville.

Perhaps when we think of the Holy Spirit, our first thoughts are those of Pentecost. While it is true that the Spirit was poured out most abundantly following Christ's ascension, the story of the Spirit goes right back to the second verse of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit, according to the Second Vatican Council, is the source of the ongoing renewal that must take place in the Church. (Lumen Gentium) describes the Church as “ceaselessly renewing herself through the action of the Holy Spirit” (n. 9).

When St. Paul first came to Ephesus, he came upon a dozen disciples. For whatever reason, Paul asked them whether they had received the Holy Spirit when they became believers.

The Holy Spirit, according to the Second Vatican Council, is the source of the ongoing renewal that must take place in the Church.