Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, the feast now known as Pentecost. Before the coming of the Spirit, the apostles were virtually living in hiding in the upper room. A great task had been entrusted to them, yet they had neither the strength nor the will to begin it. After the coming of the Spirit they were changed people. They left their hiding place and set out courageously to preach the Gospel. What was it that the Holy Spirit did to them, and how did the miracle of change come about? The following reflection may be helpful.

REFLECTION

On Pentecost day the apostles spoke a new language.
What was this new language?
It was the language of peace rather than of war;
the language of cooperation rather than of competition;
the language of forgiveness rather than of vengeance;
the language of hope rather than of despair;
the language of tolerance rather than of bigotry;
the language of friendship rather than of hostility;
the language of unity rather than of division;
the language of love rather than of hate.
Through the gift of the Spirit,
people of different languages learned to profess one faith
to the praise and glory of God.
That is the real miracle of Pentecost,
and it is a miracle which, thankfully, still happens.

For us followers of Jesus that miracle is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The power that changed the Apostles is available to us, too. That gentle power of the Holy Spirit which awakens us to the mysterious power within us, invites us to live and grow in our love for God and for one another. Let us pray for that gift for ourselves, for our Church, and for our world.

Thank you to the 38 parishioners who have contributed $5,985.00 to the Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese. These families wanted to contribute directly to support the programs of the Archdiocese. As said earlier, there will be no direct campaign this year. The remaining portion of our assessment of $84,000 will be taken from the BUILDING FOR A NEW CENTURY. Thank you to all for your generosity.

During the past week, men of the Parish have continued to work on the new shed for festival supplies. Also this week the trees on the construction site were removed so that we will be ready to proceed with the building project on June 17th.

REMEMBER TO PLAN FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 1st. The 4:30 p.m. Mass will be one of Thanksgiving for God’s blessings to our Parish. Following the Mass, there will be the ceremonial ground-breaking. Plan to come and rejoice in the goodness of the Lord.

"The Fire Power of the Holy Spirit"

The Easter season began this year on March 30th, Holy Saturday night, with a large fire lit in the darkness. That fire and the Easter Candle we lit from it are symbols of Christ’s light shining forth in a darkened world. We are drawn toward such Light.

A baby is God’s opinion
that the world should go on.

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Ilaria Belluomini, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Joseph Calleja, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Jim Halpin, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, George Jones, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Josephine Lavoie, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Josefina Mercado, Sal Milizio, Catherine Murtagh, Jim and Kim Olmo, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, Bernadine Trenchard, and Don Vickery.

Monday, May 20th
1:30 - 3 pm, Cheerleading Practice.....Hall
6:30 - 9:30 pm, Kindergarten Orientations....Hall
7 - 10 pm, Grownups.....Library

Tuesday, May 21st
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Church & Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth.....Kitchen

Thursday, May 23rd
3 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Church & Hall
6:30 - 9 pm, Track Awards.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, Festival Mtg...Library

Friday, May 24th
3:30 - 4:45 pm, Cheerleading Practice.....Hall
6:30 - 8:30 pm 8th Grade.....Hall

DID YOU KNOW??
4% of all deaths occur while attending movies, 3% in restaurants, 10% at home, 23% in bars, 13% from smoking, and 47% from accidents.*

ONLY ONE DEATH IN 75 MILLION OCCURS WHILE SINGING IN A CHOIR.* It can’t be plainer: choir singing minimizes your risks (and maximizes your benefits)!

THE 10:30 AM SUNDAY MASS CHOIR IS PRACTICING ON WEDNESDAYS AT 7:15PM IN THE CHURCH. We will break from rehearsals for the summer months in mid June, so now is a perfect time to give choir singing a try without having to make a long-term commitment. If you have a desire to serve your church through its music ministry and are able to carry a tune, you are an ideal candidate for the choir. Join us this Wednesday! Additional information is available from Pat Vallez-Kelly at 589-2800 (also for the 5:30 Mass choir). For the Noon Mass choir, call Manny Ortiz. For the 9:00 Mass choir, call Virginia Yanke.

*Sorry, statistics are completely made up and not guaranteed.

CALL TO OTHER MINISTRIES
If you are a regular participant in one of the liturgies below, consider becoming a Eucharistic Minister or Lector. Contact Pat Vallez-Kelly at 589-2800.

May their faithful service bring lasting good to your Church and great happiness to them. Help them to do what is right, that by their teaching and living we may grown in the knowledge of your love.

As our priests instruct your people, enlighten them with the wisdom of Christ the Teacher.

As they preach your Word and celebrate the sacraments, sanctify them with the holiness of Christ the High Priest.

As they face weakness, suffering and discouragement, strengthen them with the grace of Christ the Life-Giver.

As they work for peace, unity, and healing in your Church, uphold them with the courage of Christ the Reconciler.