June 4, 2006

On this 50th and final day of Eastertide, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost . . . the birthday of the Church. As Jesus prepared his friends for his Ascension, he promised to send the Holy Spirit who would help them, and us, understand all he had said and done and "set our hearts on fire with love."

An old hymn says it well . . .

Father, Lord of earth and heaven, King to whom all gifts belong, Give your greatest Gift, your Spirit, God the holy, God the strong.

Son of God, enthroned in glory, Send your promised Gift of grace, Make your Church your holy Temple, God the Spirit's dwelling-place.

Spirit, come, in peace descending as at Jordan, heav'nly Dove, Seal your Church as God's anointed, Set our hearts on fire with love.

Stay among us, God the Father, Stay among us, God the Son, Stay among us, Holy Spirit: Dwell within us, make us one.

Liturgy of the Hours

These days of Pentecost are special to Fr. Bob and me. We were both ordained on June 1, 1968 by Bishop Fulton Sheen. It was Pentecost weekend and so we celebrated our first Masses on the Feast of Pentecost. I know we are both grateful for the marvelous things the Spirit continues to work in the life of our Church.

Father, you still send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind. By the flame of your wisdom continue to open the horizons of our minds to your will.

Happy Pentecost ~ Happy Birthday!
Fr. Chuck