- Rev. Leo M. Goodman III Pastor
May 19, 2013
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Happy Pentecost! This great event gives birth to the Church and makes each one of us a new creation. Historically, the Jewish feast of Pentecost called all devout Jews to Jerusalem to celebrate their birth as God’s chosen people at Mount Sinai. This significant event prefigures the crowning event of our salvation. With power and might the Holy Spirit comes down on the new people of God sealing them in the new law and covenant brought by Jesus, written no longer on stone tablets, but on the hearts of those who believe as the prophets promised. As St. Cyril of Alexandria said, “It is quite natural for people who had been absorbed by things of this world to become entirely otherworldly in outlook and for cowards to become people of great courage.” Truly the Spirit of God makes all things new, and this is God’s plan for us!
Jesuit Cardinal Jean Danielou wrote, “In Christ, humanity is wholly consecrated and turned toward the Father. But this consecration must embrace and imbue all humanity; and this is the labor of the Spirit in the Church. The Spirit’s mission consists essentially in sanctifying humanity, leading humanity to partake of the state of holiness in which Christ’s humanity is already established.” He concludes that the Holy Spirit “penetrates and impregnates all created realities in order to communicate incorruptibility to them, to strengthen that which is weak in them, to impregnate them with the incorruptible life of God.” How can we not cry out, “Come Holy Spirit; come! Create in me a new Spirit of Love.”
This weekend we welcome seminarian Matthew Cannon. Please take a few moments to greet and encourage him after Mass. Your gift to the Pentecost collection this weekend directly supports the formation of seminarians like Matthew and our own Don Bender, so please be generous.
This weekend we also recognize our high school seniors with a luncheon after the 11:00 am Mass. To all our graduates, congratulations. Know that you will be in our prayers, and that you will always have a home here at St. Mary’s. May God bless and complete the good work begun in you!
Believe me, you deserve a day of great food, relaxing conversation and rest. Kick off your season of recreation with the king of all picnics. Our annual Parish Picnic is only two weeks away. See the bulletin for details.
Catechism Question of the Week: We are called to perfect unity with the Holy Trinity. What biblical book does the Catechism invoke when speaking of the Triune God making His home with us? A) Matthew, B) John, C) Corinthians, or D) Revelation (see CCC 260)
With family, friends and those you meet, please discuss the following Question of the Week: In what difficult situation has the Holy Spirit helped you see more clearly?
In Christ’s Peace,
Rev. Leo M. Goodman III
Pastor