Dear Parishioners,
Greetings in Christ! He is truly risen, truly alive! Alleluia!
Happy Mother’s Day to Mary and to our mothers, grandmothers, mother-figures and spiritual mothers!
This Sunday marks a turning point in our Easter season. We set our faces toward the great climax of the Easter Season, Pentecost, which is on May 24. Please put Pentecost on your calendar; write it in red for the Holy Spirit. It’s a big deal; it’s the birthday of the Church! Celebrate birthdays! (And speaking of which, happy birthday, Fr Steve! Thank you for all you do for us!!!)
In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading, we see the Holy Spirit given by God through the prayer and the laying on of hands by our first pope, St. Peter, and by his fellow bishop, St. John. In your own heart and daily prayer, I encourage you to begin to prepare yourself for Pentecost. You might find this work of spiritual guidance of Désiré Félicien François Joseph Cardinal Mercier helpful. The 20th century bishop writes: “I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to all the noises of the world in order to enter into yourself. Then, in the sanctuary of your baptized soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him:
O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will.
Mercier goes on: “If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the Gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.”
Holy Mass in honor of St. Dymphna, the patroness of mental health and those who care for the afflicted, will be celebrated on Friday May 15 at 8:30am at St. Jane Frances. Our St. Dymphna Mental Health Ministry extends a special invitation to parishioners of the pastorate to participate in Mass, especially during May which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
June 7 we will celebrate Corpus Christi with a Eucharistic Procession after the 11:30am Mass at St. Jane followed by an afternoon of adoration and evening benediction. All are encouraged to come!
June 12 we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart with evening Mass at St. Jane followed by a cookout and games.
We are thankful to God for the gift of Holy Orders in these weeks, especially of the ordination of Deacon Phil! Congrats to you and to your wife, Cathy. We are proud of you and thankful for you!
May Mary our Mother intercede for our Pastorate in this, her month, and as we approach the Feast of the Visitation on May 31! Like her may we have joyful haste in our love of God and neighbor!
In Christ,
Father John
