My dear friends,
Happy Pentecost! It’s the birthday of the Church (roughly our 1,986th birthday). This day remembers how the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to the believers in the Upper Room. That core group who remained after the Crucifixion and Resurrection were given this amazing gift. It empowered them to go and preach the Good News, beginning the Church, the Body of Christ on earth.
The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier who comes to complete the work of the Son. Once the Lord had revealed the truth to his disciples and taught them all he had to teach, he returned to the Father. In love, the Father and Son sent the Spirit to unite us as a people and unite us with our God. The Holy Spirt bestows graces upon us, especially through the Sacraments of the Church. The Spirit is the life force moving the People of God to build up the Kingdom here on earth. That great gift is our focus of the celebration today.
If you’re not sure you understand the Holy Spirit, that would be understandable. Our imagery of doves and fires isn’t always helpful. The best place to see the Spirit is in people. We are vessels of God’s grace. When a person is filled with joy despite problems, that is a gift of the Spirit. When a person has the courage to stand up to tyranny and speak out for justice, that is a gift of the Spirit. When a person has the compassion and charity to forgive someone who has done them harm, that is a gift of the Spirit. Through God’s power and grace, we can do amazing and wonderful things. Tap into that gift, and you will know the Spirit.
There’s a prayer to consecrate ourselves to the Spirit to help us find that power. “Most Holy Spirit, receive the consecration that I make of my entire being. From this moment on, come into every area of my life and into each of my actions. You are my Light, my Guide, my Strength, and the sole desire of my heart. I abandon myself without reserve to Your Divine action, and I desire to be ever docile to your inspirations. O Holy Spirit, transform me, with and through Mary, into another Christ Jesus, for the glory of the Father and the salvation of the world. Amen.”
On this Pentecost, my prayer is that we become more powerful instruments of God’s grace as we seek the grace of the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments. Let’s be people who help others see what the Holy Spirit is and can do.
Joyfully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe
June 2, 2019
My dear friends,
You may have noticed something different about the offertory at Mass. The baskets we use are new. Our Stewardship Committee pointed out that our offerings are gifts to God. They thought the presentation of the offertory should look a bit more festive, like a gift. So we make sure that the baskets aren’t hidden away in the back corner but go right before the altar. We celebrate your donations. Our gifts are made freely and gladly. “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. For God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6,7b).” That’s why we changed the placement of the offertory baskets during Mass. That led us on a hunt for some receptacles that were more joyous
One thought was to get a box and wrap it like a present. That was interesting but impractical. They’re banged and wrapping paper wouldn’t hold up to that wear. They would look a little shabby after a short time. So how could we convey the presence of a gift without it being cartoony? We went looking for special decorative baskets. They could hold up to the use while looking more joyous to the eyes.
When we settled on baskets, we went looking at Fair Trade. As a parish, we’re committed to social justice. We work to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless. This was a good opportunity to uphold the rights and skills of workers looking to make just wages One group, Serrv International, is dedicated to fighting poverty around the world. They work with artisans seeking to practice their craft while supporting their families. It was there that we spotted the Pop Top Chindi Baskets. They’re woven in Bangladesh from natural kaisa grass which is wrapped in pieces of old cotton saris. We were able to find bright, colorful baskets to celebrate giving our gifts while helping some families live in dignity. And the recycled sari fabric is good for the environment. What could be a better gift than this?
Simple things can have great meaning. When you see the baskets presenting our gifts, just pay attention. See how they go to the altar. Your gifts share in the work of Christ in the Church. Notice the bright colors that celebrate joyfully what you have given. Know that these well-crafted baskets are part of a mission to employ 1,000 women as equal members of society, regardless of caste or creed. Our joy is made richer by knowing the gifts we give are part of the Lord’s mission to uplift all people. That is a gift in itself for which we can all be truly joyful!