From the Pastor's Desk May 23, 2021

From the Pastor’s Desk:                                                                                                       

May 23, 2021

Veni Sancte Spiritus - Come, Holy Spirit

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

Today the Church celebrates Pentecost, the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles gathered in the Upper Room with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to greet them with the gift of Peace – “Peace be with you,” and breath upon them the Spirit of God, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Historically in the Jewish tradition, Pentecost was a harvest-feast celebrated 50 days after Passover. For the first apostles of Jesus, however, it is the celebration of the Holy Spirit who gave them the gifts of grace through which they would undertake the evangelical mission of Christ and lay the foundation of His Holy Church. It is considered as the birthday of the Church and a feast of unity in the Spirit of God. It is the day of the Spirit, the day the storm-wind renews our love, the day of the fire that brings us joy and freedom, the day of the Holy Spirit that brings together of all His members into one body of His Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The experience of Pentecost is the experience of a great transformation. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” It is a direct response to the Great Commission of the Lord, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."  Today as we continue with the mission of the church, we are invited to reflect upon the meaning of Pentecost in our live, especially as we return back to the pews after over a year-long dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Let us open our hearts and allow the “mighty wind” to fill us with His Spirit, so strengthened by His gifts to become the new soul of humanity by being credible witnesses of the Church’s mission to the world. With the help of the Spirit of God we need to be Christ’s missionaries guided by the Holy Spirit.

This Sunday, a group of 23 children with their parents, families, relatives and friends will celebrate their First Communion Mass. I want to congratulate all of you who will be receiving their First Communion. It is a very special moment in your lives – a moment that will change your lives once and forever. From now on, you will receive the greatest gift of God to us – the gift of Himself – the Eucharist. I pray, that with assistance of your parents, you will grow ever closer to the One whom you will receive – Jesus Christ. I also want to thank everyone who helped and assisted in any way with the sacramental preparation of our children.

The end of the month of May is also the time of graduations. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the Graduating Class of 2021 from Annunciation Catholic School, Bishop Snyder High School, and seniors from various public schools in our community. May our loving God continue to shower His blessing upon you as you advance on a new chapter of your lives. May you be an authentic witness by embracing the values of Catholic Education that you received and apply them generously in your lives daily. To all graduates – I offer my deepest and most sincere assurance of my prayers and support.

The celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost brings to a conclusion the season of Easter. As we transition to Ordinary Time, and yet filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, let us do something beautiful for God with our lives this week.

To parents: “It is very important that your children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another. Not in school, not from the teacher, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of loving others. There will be misunderstandings. Every family has a cross, its suffering, but always be the first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.” – Mother Teresa

I wish you a blessed week! 
With prayers, Fr. Andy