PENTECOST SUNDAY

              

…On Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit worked a miracle in each of the apostles, and through them, in the whole Church. As the apostles were huddled together around Mary in the Upper Room fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead, suddenly from heaven there was the sound like the rush of a driving wind that filled the entire upper room. Tongues of fire came down and rested upon each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit... They received the Holy Spirit's help boldly to proclaim Jesus...as tongues of fire — tongues because they were to speak, fire because they were to speak with the passion of burning love... Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit he would send would teach them all things, lead them to all truth, remind them of everything he had taught them, and prove the world wrong about sin, holiness and judgment. Then, moved by the Holy Spirit, they began to fulfill this mission. The Acts of the Apostles had begun.

Well, the Acts of the Apostles continues down to our own day. God wants to write new chapters, with each of us — and that includes you — playing an important role. The wind is still blowing. The fire of the Holy Spirit still burns. Each of us, however, needs to let the Holy Spirit in to do his work. Each of us has to allow the Holy Spirit to bring about a similar miracle in us.

We know what our mission is — to give witness to the whole world that Jesus is the Savior, that he is the truth worth living for and worth dying for — but how many times have we failed in that mission, and how many times have we failed even to TRY to fulfill it? If the Holy Spirit could work such wonders with those coarse fishermen and tax collectors, then surely he can do similarly great things through us if we allow him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we, too, can turn from cowards to heroes, from apostates to apostles, from sinners to saints. The key is allowing the Holy Spirit to act.   …

Let us beg the Holy Spirit to fill us with tongues of fire, so that with passion, love and great courage, we might bring the Gospel out to our world which so desperately needs to embrace it.       

Come, Holy Spirit, Fill the Hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love!  

[Excerpt from Homily of Fr. Roger J. Landry: “The Difference the Holy Spirit Makes”, CatholicCulture.org]

FAREWELL TO FR. MATTHIAS

As mentioned a few weekends ago, Fr. Matthias Kim will be leaving St. Joseph’s at the end of June.  We wish to thank Fr. Matthias for his contributions and time here at the Parish, and especially for his work with the schools and kids.  The official farewell will be held Sunday, June 24th, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, with cake served in the Parish Hall.   All parishioners are invited.

Pastoral Letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion by The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a letter, in preparation for Pentecost, which explains why freedom of religion and conscience is necessary for the common good of countries, such as Canada, where religious diversity is the norm.   When these freedoms are disregarded or repressed, the human person – human society – suffers.  The pastoral letter, “encourages all faith communities to contribute to the formulation of public policy and the common good, and concludes by exhorting believers not to compromise their convictions, but to stand up for their faith.”    The letter can be downloaded freely from www.cccb.ca.  Two printed copies of the full letter are available – one at each entrance to the Church for those wishing to have a quick read through.

A Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day to all Mothers!

The loveliest masterpiece
of the heart of God
is the heart of a mother.
St. Therese of Lisieux  [Holy Simplicity: The Little Way of Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, and Therese of Lisieux]

A Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day to all Mothers!

MS SOCIETY CARNATIONS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

 MS Society will be selling carnations after all Masses this weekend for Mother’s Day.  A great way to show mom you love and appreciate her while supporting a great cause!  All proceeds go to those living with MS in our community.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK: May 6 -11, 2012

“Walking in the Light of Christ”:  We invite parishioners to join in celebrating this particular week and the contribution that Catholic schools make. We are ever mindful of the important partnership between parish, home and school, each playing a critical component in the faith journey of the thousands of students entrusted to the Catholic school system.  We continue to pray for all those committed to bringing the light of Christ to our young people.

Prayer

God of Love and Light, You show us the path of life.

In Your presence, there is fullness of joy.

Teach us to follow the path You set out,

guiding us to walk always toward You and with You

by ‘Listening in the Light of Christ.’

We long to hear Your voice; we yearn for Your grace.

Teach us to listen for Your voice in all those we meet,

to open our hearts to Your call of love.

May we always seek to walk in Your light

and follow in the steps of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

who lives forever and ever.