Bishop Yvan Mathieu reflected on how, even after receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples returned to hiding in fear until Jesus appeared once again and offered them peace rather than anger. His message reminded participants that moments of fear, discouragement, and uncertainty are a natural part of faith, and that we are called to invite Jesus into those moments for renewal and strength.
For Catholic parents and educators, Bishop Mathieu emphasized that nurturing and passing on the faith—especially to children—can often feel difficult and discouraging. He encouraged participants to remain spiritually “on fire” by relying not only on personal effort, but on the Holy Spirit, who works through us even when results are not immediately visible.
Using the image of a campfire, Bishop Mathieu described faith as something that can dim over time but can always be rekindled through prayer, Scripture, and openness to the Spirit. His reflection served as a meaningful reminder to persevere in faith, trust in the Holy Spirit, and remain confident that God continues to work through our everyday efforts.