Say Yes to Holiness Newsletter #368
Inspiration for the week of May 25, 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly Say Yes to Holiness newsletter—designed to help inspire, encourage and accompany you on the path towards holiness.
Come, Holy Spirit!
Yesterday, the Church celebrated the great feast of Pentecost—the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and transformed frightened disciples into courageous witnesses.
Pentecost is not merely a historical event.
It is an ongoing invitation.
The same Holy Spirit who descended upon the apostles desires to descend into our hearts today.
To strengthen us.
To guide us.
To sanctify us.
To send us.
So this week’s Food for the Head, Heart, Hands, and Feet is designed to help you become more attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit—the Paraclete, the Advocate, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth so as to be strengthened, inspired and encouraged on our journey towards holiness…
Food for the Head
“Without the Holy Spirit, God is far away… With the Holy Spirit, the Gospel is the power of life.” — St. Athanasius
It is possible to know all about God without truly living in relationship with Him.
So we might know Scripture and/or Church teachings, follow the Precepts, and practice our faith, BUT God still remain spiritually distant.
Why?
Because we are just going through the motions. Christianity is not merely information, it’s about transformation.
And transformation only happens through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This power can only be transferred when we are in relationship. When we are walking and talking with the Lord, we open ourselves to the power of the Spirit, and then the Holy Spirit makes the Gospel come alive, and we become transformed.
So what might this transformation look like in our lives?
Our fear becomes courage. Our confusion becomes clarity. And our obligation becomes love.
Without the Spirit, our faith becomes dry, but with the Spirit, everything changes.
This week, resolve to begin each morning by praying, “Come, Holy Spirit,” before anything else.
Food for the Heart
“The Holy Spirit is the consoler of souls… tasting like honey and sweeter than the honeycomb.” — St. Hildegard of Bingen
The Holy Spirit does not come to condemn us. Rather, the Spirit comes to console, heal, strengthen, and restore us.
Yet many of us continue to carry anxieties, discouragement, fear, and exhaustion all on our own.
But the beauty of Pentecost is that it reminds us that we were never meant to live the spiritual life by our own strength.
The Holy Spirit desires to fill the empty and weary places within us with the sweetness of God’s love and peace so that we can weather whatever may come in our lives.
But we must slow down enough to receive Him.
It is only in slowing down and spending time that we can recognize the ways that God is moving in your life, so we must be intentional in setting aside that time.
This week, resolve to spend at least 10 minutes each day in silence, inviting the Holy Spirit to bring peace to your heart.
Food for the Hands
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.” — Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
You might be wondering why I am sharing a quote that seems to be about Christmas in May. Because the gift of God’s love found in the Spirit shouldn’t be reserved to Christmas. It should be an every day kind of thing.
This is because the Holy Spirit is never given merely for ourselves. Rather, He is given so that we may become instruments of God’s love in the world.
At Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Spirit—and then immediately sent outward.
The same must happen with us.
For if the Holy Spirit is truly alive within you, then His love will flow outward through our words, actions and sacrifices. But especially through our presence.
We go out to be present to the world. Not in a passive way, but in active way.
Because the Spirit has sent us out on a mission of love.
This week, resolve to intentionally allow God to love someone through you each day this week.
Food for the Feet
“The Holy Spirit leads us like a mother.” — St. John Vianney
The spiritual life is not about having every step figured out. Rather, it is about learning how to follow.
The Holy Spirit guides us gently, patiently, and faithfully.
Just like a loving mother teaching a child how to walk.
Far too often, we resist the Spirit because we want certainty before obedience (or at least I know I do!)
But the Holy Spirit usually reveals the path only one step at a time, so we have to be patient and remain obediently faithful to what has been placed before us.
Mary dis this in her own life, and she desires to help us do the same in our own. We simply need to ask for her help and she will provide it—just like a loving mother teaching a child how to walk.
Remember, our task is not to control the entire journey.
Our task is simply to follow.
This week, resolve to pay attention to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit—and respond quickly when He calls you to act.
Exhortation
“Ask Him often to help you. To say simply, ‘Come, Holy Spirit!’ is a powerful act of faith.” — St. Josemaría Escrivá
The apostles entered the Upper Room afraid, but they left it transformed.
So, what changed?
The Holy Spirit.
And the very same Holy Spirit is available to each of us.
Not someday. Not theoretically. Now.
So, stop trying to carry and do everything alone.
Stop trying to be transformed by sheer effort alone.
Instead, invite the Holy Spirit in.
Again and again.
Because Pentecost was never meant to be a one-time event.
It is meant to be a way of life.
Your Mission This Week (if you choose to accept it!)
Begin each day with “Come, Holy Spirit”
Create space for silence and listening
Let God love others through you
Follow the Spirit’s promptings with trust
Don’t stop celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit. Instead, welcome Him into every area of your life.
So this week, do WHATEVER IT TAKES to become more open, more responsive, and more docile to the Holy Spirit, so that together, we can tell the Master of Death, “NOT TODAY.”
All the best,
Christina
PS—Go check out my new book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time is now available for purchase on Amazon.
Below are the Latest Happenings In the Say Yes to Holiness Community!
Check out my christinasemmens.com website.
The website is where I blog, so you can find out the latest by checking out the website. ALSO, if you would like to work with me or talk about spiritual direction, make sure to sign up for a FREE consultation. Looking forward to hearing from you!
The latest Say Yes to Holiness Online Retreat is still available!
This retreat saw us read the spiritual classic, Rooting Out Hidden Faults: How the Particular Examen Conquers Sin by Father James McElhone, CSC. If you are interested, simply go to the Say Yes to Holiness podcast (plus, you can find the podcast on Spotify and Apple) or watch the episodes on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel.
Finally, if you would like to make a donation in support of the work associated with this endeavor, you can click the link below.
Latest Post on the Women of the New Evangelization (WINE) blog:
Mercy, Peace and Exultation (April 12)
Harden Not Our Hearts (Mar 9)
Do Not Be Terrified (Nov 16)
Gaining Wisdom of Heart (Sept 9)
Guest appearance on the Equipcast Podcast:
"When God Asks, How Do You Answer?: The Power of 'Yes' with Christina Semmens
Article on Catholic365.com Platform:
We Are All Eucharistic Missionaires!
Latest episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast...
Episode #262
“Hope Springs Eternal”—1:1 with Paul McCusker, Senior Director Creative Content, Augustine Institute
Subscribe to the Say Yes to Holiness podcast!
You can listen to the latest episodes of the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
You can also watch the podcast on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel
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The Say Yes to Holiness YouTube Channel
The latest offering is available—the Lenten Book Online Retreat—”Rooting Out Hidden Faults” by Father James McElhone on YouTube—Click here to be taken to the playlist
Update from The Catholic Leadership Puzzle
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
Zoom Q&A about my new book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time will be happening on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pmCST.
More information about participating will be coming soon. In the interim, send any questions you want answered to me at: christinasemmens@gmail.com
The book focuses upon how we each can help to create life-giving communities where we can become the holy men and women that God created us to be, and is a compilation of the work I have been sharing on The Catholic Leadership Puzzle Substack.
I encourage you to read the reviews below to help you determine if you should pick up a copy today…
“Christina's book is both thoughtful and practical. I appreciate the careful attention to crafting a solid plan for reinvigorating and reenergizing parish life from from the 'ground up' - in other words, she writes with wisdom and experience about starting small and engaging individuals and small groups who can then passionately spread this message like fire. Helpful resource for anyone seeking to help take their parish community to a place of deep spiritual, practical, and holy love for the Lord and for one another!”—Matthew Koscal
“This book is for anyone who wants to see their parish thrive. Whether you are a priest or lay person, read Solving the Parish Puzzle for clear guidance on taking an average parish to the next level of discipleship. What we have been doing is not working. It’s time for something new. Semmens lays the groundwork so we can put the pieces together.”—Carol Wiget
“From my perspective, the value of Solving the Parish Puzzle is that it brings much-needed clarity and integration to a space that is often fragmented. Parish leaders, ministry teams, and disciples are usually generous and committed, but not always aligned around a common mission or framework. This book provides a language and structure that helps unify efforts, ensuring that what we do is not simply activity, but intentional participation in forming missionary disciples and building communities that truly accompany people toward Christ.
As a leader, what stands out is how the book reinforces that healthy ministries do not emerge from isolated talent or charisma, but from a disciplined commitment to principles that can be learned, practiced, and replicated. By identifying the twelve “puzzle pieces,” it gives leaders a roadmap for sustainability. It shifts the focus from short-term success or programmatic growth to long-term fruitfulness rooted in evangelization, formation, relationships, and accountability. That is exactly what is needed to form leaders who can endure, multiply, and build environments where others can flourish.
What I find most compelling is the insistence on integration and the rejection of the “Christmas tree” mentality. That diagnosis is both honest and accurate. Too many of our parishes are doing a lot but not always moving in the same direction. The call to rediscover the “why,” to place everything at the service of mission, and to intentionally build communities where people are known, formed, and sent, is not only helpful but also, urgent. The Church does not need more activity. It needs greater coherence, deeper conviction, and leaders who can align people and purpose toward the work of making saints.”—Cristofer Pereyra, Chief Executive Officer, Tepeyac Leadership Initiative (TLI)
Again, I pray that you will consider purchasing a copy of the book. If you do purchase a copy, send me an email saying “I purchased your book” and I will make sure you are sent information so you can participate in a special “Zoom Q&A” about the book.
And if you already have a book, please consider posting a review on Amazon as well.
To learn more, click here: The Catholic Leadership Puzzle