I. Feast of Pentecost is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church—upon us who make up the Church! The sacred Scriptures leading up to this remarkable feast of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, speak of the Spirit as an Advocate (the very best attorney in the country, in the world), Paraclete (our leaning post), “ruah” (Hebrew for breath, air, wind), and Consoler.
A good question for each of us to ask: “Am I open to the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit active in my life?” If the Holy Spirit is alive in my life, then I will exemplify the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Am I charitable, joyful, and instrument of peace? Am I kind, good, gentle, and patient? Am I generous, faithful, modest, and chaste? Do I exercise self-control? Come Holy Spirit, enkindle in me the fire of your love!
II. #SafeatMass: our first weekend at reopening Mass for our community was good—so good to see some of our parishioners again! We had approximately 40 people at the 5:00pm anticipatory Mass, 80 at the 8:00am Mass, and about 60 at the 11:00am Mass. Obviously, the majority of our parishioners are not quite ready to return to public worship, which is fine. Bishop Medley has lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Everything went well! And everyone was so cooperative as we together navigate this coronavirus season of our life. We were prepared to handle approximately 225, with the ability to live stream to our Community Center. Everyone is asked to practice physical distancing, and wear a mask/facial covering if you decide to return. Otherwise, we will continue to live stream the 5:00pm Mass, which will be archived so that you can participate in this Mass any time later. Thank you! Be safe! Stay healthy!
III. Mary, Mother of the Church: This new feast was inserted into the Universal Calendar for the Latin Church by Pope Francis, in a decree dated February 11, 2018, the 160th anniversary of the apparition of Mary at Lourdes. The title, “Mother of the Church,” was famously bestowed upon Mary by Saint Paul VI, Pope during the Second Vatican Council. The understanding of Mary’s motherhood has developed in the decades following Vatican II, especially as the Church has reflected on the Council’s teaching about Mary in chapter 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium, “Light of the Nations”). This Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, will be celebrated the Monday after Pentecost Sunday each Liturgical year. This year, Monday, June 1, at our 12:05pm Mass.
IV. Welcome to Seminarian Christopher Grief, who has been appointed to the Cathedral of Saint Stephen for his summer assignment of 10 weeks. His home parish is St. John the Evangelist in Paducah. After graduating from college, he worked as manager of Walmart and the U.S. Post Office. The nudge to go to the seminary finally was answered. Christopher has finished two years of philosophy, and his first year of Theology at Saint Meinrad. He enjoys hiking and hunting, plays the bass clarinet, and bartends. At the age of 16, Christopher was indirectly struck by lightning (ask him about it)! Let’s give Christopher a hearty Cathedral welcome! Use your creative imagination during this coronavirus season to get to know him! Good Grief!
Sequence—Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia.