Trinity and Community

This weekend the Church worships and honors the Blessed Trinity, the Three Persons in One God. These Three Persons are distinct, one from the other, and yet they are equal and perfectly One God. This mystery of Three Persons in One God has been studied, discussed, and explained since the earliest days of the Church. It is beyond our complete understanding, but we know it is true from Jesus’ own reference to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Mt. 28:19)

We human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. This means that we are also something of a mystery. It also means that we are called to form a community: distinct persons who are united as one. We are called to form a community because God is a Community.

In practical terms, this brings to mind two important questions. Do I respect the unique individuality of each person? And do I strive to cultivate the unity of all persons? The main virtue that helps us accomplish these things is the virtue of charity. No wonder the Scriptures tell us “God is Love” (1 Jn. 4:8)! This week let’s give extra effort to the practice of charity in all our thoughts, words, and actions. In this manner we will become a living act of praise of the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!

Gratefully yours,

Come, Holy Spirit

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church.This is because the coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the Apostles from being a group of of Christ into being the the living presence of Christ in the world. Three symbols help us understand the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Scriptural account of the first Pentecost (in Acts 2:1-11) tells us that the coming of the Holy Spirit was signaled by the sound of a strong driving wind. Wind is invisible, like the Holy Spirit; we do not see the wind, but we see and feel its effects. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. Also, we could say that the wind was like the breath of God himself. (In fact, the Latin word for breath is.)

The Acts of the Apostles tell us that tongues of fire appeared and came to rest on each of the Apostles. Fire shows us the warmth of love and the light of faith; these are two important aspects of the life and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

A third symbol of the Holy Spirit is found in the Gospel accounts of the Baptism of Christ. They tell us that the Holy Spirit appeared over Christ in the form of a dove. The dove is a sign of peace; one of the clearest signs that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit is that we have true inner peace.

Today we rejoice in the many ways that the invisible, yet infinitely powerful, Spirit of God works in us and around us. May all we do be guided by the Holy Spirit, the life-breath of God himself.

Gratefully yours,

Another Celebration Moment

As you know, we like to observe “celebration moments,” special milestones as we progress toward the completion of our Pastoral Center and Knight Hall. The next of these moments will take place at the end of June or beginning of July, but we will prepare for it now. The celebration moment will be the placing of religious medals under the concrete (or pavers) at the entrances to the new building. There are three entrances for us to bless in this way: the main entrance to the lobby, adjacent to the drive aisle; the entrance off the bluff; and at the foot of the stairs that lead to the terrace.

We are not looking for new medals necessarily; this is a time when you can contribute old religious medals that you do not need. The Miraculous Medal, medals of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, St. Michael, St. Dymphna, and other saints whose intercession is important to you are all very welcome. Whether they are previously used and blessed medals or not, all of them will be blessed before we put them at the entrances. This is a way to bless all of our comings and goings at the new building.

You may drop off the medals at our Parish Office anytime that it is open. We ask that you do this no later than June 29. Thank you for taking part in this special celebration moment!

Gratefully yours,