Dear friends,
The joyful season of Easter is soon coming to an end. This weekend, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and wait with anticipation for the feast of Pentecost, for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Today, however, our focus is on Jesus ascending to the Father and being seated at His right hand, another key element of the Paschal Mystery which we profess in our Creed: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”
During the last couple of weeks, we have heard in the Gospel of John how Jesus has been talking to his disciples about his impending departure, how they are to rejoice in it, and how it is necessary in order for the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to come and remind them of all that Jesus taught them. In today’s Gospel from Luke, we hear his final instructions: “And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (24: 46-53).
This is the origin of our novena to the Holy Spirit, the period of time when Mary and the Apostles stayed together in the upper room and prayed in preparation for the Holy Spirit to empower them. Because it was first made at the direction of Our Lord, it is the oldest of all novenas and the only one prescribed by the Church. It is also called the Pentecost Novena, as they prayed together for the nine days before Pentecost. In Acts 1:14, we hear that, “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
I invite you to pray this simple prayer as you prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost: 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.
Congratulations to Scott and Carmen Mimbs, the Family of the Month for May. I am so grateful to both of them for being such active members of our parish. They put an incredible amount of time, energy, and expertise into so many ministries. Thank you, Scott and Carmen, for your commitment.
I take this opportunity to thank Audrey Schmoyer for her dedication and commitment as leader of the Art and Environment Committee for the past several years. Although she will be taking a well-deserved break, she plans to continue assisting with the ministry. In her place, Carmen Mimbs will assume the leadership role, bringing her distinct flair to this ministry. I’d like to thank all of the members of the team who work behind the scenes to ensure the beauty of our sanctuary. Thank you!
On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We remember the many hardships and sacrifices our heroes have made in their fight to preserve our freedom and the integrity of humanity. In honor of those who have sacrificed their lives, we will have a special Mass on Monday, 30 May 2022 at 8 a.m. The office will be closed in their honor. I wish you a blessed Memorial Day.
Have a blessed week! With love,
Fr. John