Dear Parishioners:
“Cradle Catholics” are often
surprised to discover that there is more to the Catholic Faith than they
realize. We all have a tendency to
respond to things with an attitude of “been
there, done that.” If we grew up in
the Church, attending a Catholic School
The Holy Spirit can open us to
greater things than we ever imagined.
But we have to acknowledge our need for the Spirit and to be ready to
respond to His promptings. How do we
prepare ourselves for this? Prayer for
the Gift of God in communion with the Apostles and Mary, the Mother of Jesus,
was the means of preparation of the first generation of Christians. It is the same for us today. “Come, Holy Spirit!” is the simplest form of
prayer for this Gift.
The first Novena was the nine days
of prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost.
This period of time, spent in the Upper Room where the Last Supper was
held, was a special time of grace for the Apostles and for Mary. What happened then was the preparation for
all that would follow. The Good News of
the Resurrection of Jesus was known and relished for 40 days. Then the Apostles prayed for the coming of
the Paraclete, the Advocate and Consoler promised to them by the Risen Lord.
We will celebrate the Ascension next
Sunday (moved from Thursday so that all may be able to be present for the Mass
of the Ascension). However, the Novena
for Pentecost begins Friday, May 26, and concludes with the Vigil of Pentecost,
Saturday, June 3. Let us join in prayer
that God may pour out His Spirit in abundance on our Parish and on the
World. May this be a time of grace for
us and may our hearts be open to the Gift of God!
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