I want to thank those who worked so hard on the 90th Anniversary High Tea yesterday. A good time was had by all. Thank you for participating.
Please note the announcement above about the Neighborhood Meeting on the 22nd. Meeting neighbors is good.
May is the Month of Mary. And of course Mary is our special mother, given to all of us by Jesus on the cross, when he shared her with us through his disciple John. This is your mother. This is your son/daughter. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday, the birth of the Church. In our first reading from Acts, we have a vivid description of this event: “they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” The noise from the sky attracted a large crowd and the disciples immediately started to preach the word of God to all the people.
In our second reading from Galatians, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the works of the Spirit. He tells us: “In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Through Baptism and Confirmation we live in the Spirit, “let us also follow the Spirit.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the Holy Spirit: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” He then tells the disciples and us to go out and testify to the truth, that Jesus is Lord.
Tomorrow the Church begins what is called “Ordinary Time.” I think we need to ask ourselves is any time ordinary? The Liturgical color is green, which is a sign of life and of hope. However, our next two Sundays will be white again as we celebrate The Trinity and The Body and Blood of Jesus.
On Monday the Church celebrates St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs. He and 21 diocesan priests and three laymen were either shot or hanged (1915-1937) for their association with the Cristero uprising which opposed the anti-Catholic Mexican government in the 1920’s. The Cristero motto was: “Long live Christ the King and the Virgin of Guadalupe.”
At the invitation of Pete Morgan, Dan Mandell and I attended a “Call In” at the Charles Martin Center. This was a very moving experience as the police and public officials “called in” about 25 gang members from South Bend and presented a program telling them what the police are doing to stop the shootings in the city. Legal people were there and told them how much time they face in prison, if they are not killed by one another. A mother told her story about her 15 year old son being killed and two ex-offenders told their stories on how they turned their lives around. One very strong point that was made is that young men in gangs are killing other young men in gangs and this is mostly black on black crime in South Bend. Three 17 year olds have been gunned down lately. There were several companies there to offer jobs and many community members there for support. Change your lives! Stop the shootings! You are loved! These were the main messages. Let us pray that this works.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.
A Father Tolton Prayer: Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.