ORANGE & PURPLE Breakout Group

Fruits to discuss:
Love * Goodness * Gentleness * Chastity

LOVE (CHARITY)
in selfless service to others

What forms of love and charity could be the work of the Holy Spirit?

Saint Maximilian Kolbe: As a priest imprisoned in the concentration camp at Auschwitz during World War II, Father Kolbe celebrated Mass with the prisoners using smuggled bread and wine. He was given the worst jobs and treated the most harshly because he was so calm and dedicated to his faith. When there was an escape from the camp in July 1941, ten prisoners were to be killed as punishment. Francis Gajowniczek, a married man with small children, was chosen to die. Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed himself by trading places with Francis.

GivesMeHope.com: “It was my sister’s birthday last week. For presents, she had everyone take something to Greater Works or Toys for Tots. She spent her entire birthday volunteering at a soup kitchen. She didn’t have to do that. She could have devoted her entire birthday to herself. But she didn’t. Lea, you give me hope!”

GOODNESS
loving all people without exception

When was the last time you went out of your way to help someone?

Saint Damien Joseph De Veuster of Moloka’i (Father Damien the Leper): Before any treatment for leprosy was available, those who suffered from it were exiled to remote areas so they wouldn’t infect anyone else. Father Damien heard about a leper colony on the island of Moloka’i in Hawaii and volunteered to care for the lepers. He spent the next 12 years of his life among the lepers, celebrating Mass for them and tending to their needs, before he also died of the disease.

GivesMeHope.com: “Today, my tire blew out on the way home from school. I pulled into the nearest parking lot and got out to change it – in negative forty degree weather. While struggling to pull the spare out the trunk, a random man approached me and offered to change it for me. I doubt you’ll see this, but thank you. Men who take the time to help a girl out give me hope.”

GENTLENESS
strength that is kept in check by love for others

How do you show gentleness to others?

Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa): Mother Teresa lived most of her life in the poorest parts of India. She founded hospitals and orphanages to serve the “untouchable” lowest classes in Indian society – the people no one wanted to even think about. She prayed with the dying, played with the smallest and most starving children, and lived simply among them, with two sets of robes and a rosary as her only possessions.

GivesMeHope.com: “My father died a couple of years ago. My mom’s new boyfriend listens to all our stories, still lets my mom wear her wedding ring, lets my mom keep pictures of him on the walls and he even celebrates my dad’s birthday with us. We were talking about stories we shared with my father, and he even cried with us. He doesn’t know my dad, but his kindness gives me hope.”

CHASTITY
being faithful to your physical sexuality and your spiritual dignity

Why do you think it is important to show respect for ourselves and others?

Saint Maria Goretti: Maria was an 11-year-old girl in Italy who was grabbed outside her home by a 19-year-old neighbor, Alessandro, who had lusted after her. He threatened her life and tried to rape her, and Maria said she would rather die than submit to him. The man pulled out a knife and began to stab her. When she lay in the hospital, Maria forgave her attacker before she died. Three years into his jail sentence, Alessandro began to feel remorse. He had a dream in which Maria offered him lilies, but the flowers turned to ashes in his hands. After he was released from prison, Alessandro was forgiven by Maria’s mother and they both attended Maria’s canonization Mass. Alessandro gave the rest of his life to God as the caretaker at a monastery.

GivesMeHope.com: “Today, my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. My grandmother told us she watched football with my grandfather every week for 60 years, because she’d rather be in the room with him, and have no idea what’s going on, than alone in another room. He responded with a huge smile, ‘That’s my girl!’ Their love gives me hope.”

Prayer Parts

Choose how to pray for one of the Fruits of the Spirit, maybe using some of these parts and filling in what you want God to do to help you grow in this Fruit of the Spirit.

“YOU”	“WHO”	“DO”	“THROUGH”
Lord of all creation,	who made us and all that we love,	____________________	We ask this through Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Amen.
Heavenly Father,	who watches over us each day,	____________________	We pray and ask your mercy in Jesus’ name.  Amen.
Jesus our brother,	who loves us and feeds us like a Good Shepherd,	____________________	Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Holy Spirit,	who is with us always and in every difficulty,	____________________	In the name of Jesus.  Amen.
etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.       Amen.