I understand what the priest was trying to say – but I still think it’s a poor choice of words. He is implying that the Holy Spirit is “dormant” until WE make a choice. That’s not true.
We ALL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at Baptism (Acts 2:38). We confirm our faith at the age of reason (Confirmation).
Again – NOT according to Catholic teaching.
The Catholic Church teaches that salvation can be lost – as do the Scriptures (Matt. 7:19-23, Matt. 10:22, Matt. 24:13, Matt. 25:31–46, John 15:1-6, Rom. 11:22, 1 Cor. 4:4, 1 Cor. 9:27, 1 Cor. 10:12, 1 Tim. 4:1, 1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 2:12, Heb. 3:6, Heb. 3:12-14, Heb. 6:4-6, Heb. 10:26-27, 2 Pet. 2:20-21, 2 Pet. 3:17, 1 John 2:24, 1 John 5:13, Rev. 3:5, Rev. 22:19)
Like the verses above attest - we CAN sever our ties with God.
OSAS, as you know is a Protestant invention – not a Catholic belief.