Dear Friends of our Pastorate of the Visitation,
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. This feast day commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the nascent Church (Acts 2:1-11). That is why it is also sometimes called the “birthday” of the Church. Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit is sent to continue the mission inaugurated by Jesus passion, death, and resurrection. The Holy Spirit continues to be poured into us at every moment of the day, for God’s Spirit is active always and everywhere and is here to assist us with our discipleship, as long as we are receptive. Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth!
What do we know about the Holy Spirit? According to the Glossary in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Holy Spirit is “the third divine person of the Blessed Trinity, the personal love of Father and Son for each other. Also called the Paraclete (Advocate) and Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the divine plan for our salvation.”
The Church also teaches that there are (1) seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord; and (2) twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. The gifts of the Spirit help us sustain ourselves in the moral life (CCC 1830). “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory” (CCC 1832). The Holy Spirit has much to offer us, as long as we are receptive to the Spirit’s actions in our lives.
Please plan to join us for our first Pastorate of the Visitation celebration of the Feast of the Visitation on Friday, May 31st at 8:30am at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. There will be a potluck breakfast to follow the 8:30am Mass in the Gathering Place. Everyone from both parishes is encouraged to attend as we celebrate our pastorate. Also on May 31st is our Pastorate’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at St. Jane Frances Hall. Please call the St. Jane Parish Office to RSVP 410-255-4646. Thank you to all of our pastorate volunteers!
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate of the Visitation—St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
