A Word from Your Pastor - May 8 Ascension

Dear Parishioners:

Mothers teach us how to love.  In the month of May, we are reminded to thank our mothers, our grandmothers, and our godmothers on earth and our Heavenly Mother Mary.  We do so by little signs, expressions of love and gratitude.  Cards and flowers, small gifts and warm embraces all show our affection and love.  These acts also serve to remind us of the power at work in each of us to give life and to nourish and nurture others by our own gift of self.  Holy Mother Church also deserves our recognition. It is the Church that offers us the connection between earthly life and Eternal Life.  The graces that we receive flow into our hearts and lives through the Sacraments, beginning with Baptism.  When we keep ourselves mindful of this flow, we see the fruits of motherhood in all their glory.  Mother of every sort make a real difference and on this day and in this month we say “Thanks!”

In today’s Mass, we recall the Ascension of the Lord into Heavenly Glory.   Through the Ascension, Jesus takes our human nature, glorified by the Resurrection, to share intimately in the very Life of the Holy Trinity.  Now that our nature has been given a share in Divine Life, we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and on the whole world.  Cooperation with grace is the truly human act. 

Mary, our Mother, shows us how to open to grace: her “Fiat,” that is, her “Let it be done” is an affirmation of God’s power at work through the Spirit.  Saying “Yes” to God’s Will in our lives offers us Eternity.  We are capable of this due to the Resurrection, Ascension and Outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.  Let us pray together: “Come, Holy Spirit!”  And let us open our hearts to God’s action among us.

Next weekend will be a weekend of Welcome, with refreshments after all Masses and with a festive spirit as we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost.  Invite family and friends to gather with us as we close the Easter Season.