Dear Parish Family of Holy Trinity,
Our last week of Easter begins with Jesus, the Head of our Church, ascending into heaven to prepare a place for us, the Body of Christ. This coming weekend, our Easter festivities will come to a close as we celebrate the
Feast of Pentecost
. The day the Church received the Holy Spirit!
Pentecost (from the Greek
fiftieth
) occurs fifty days after Easter begins. And just like the Passover of our Lord has mystical connections to the Jewish traditions of old, the Feast of Pentecost continues such mysticism. In Jewish tradition, the fiftieth day after the feast of Passover became known as the feast of “first fruits of the wheat harvest.” For us Christians, it is the day
the Holy Spirit kindled the Disciples’ spirits and transformed them from Disciples to Apostles
and thus, giving us the first fruits of our Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
The day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, it did so as a strong wind and “tongues as of fire" appeared over the Apostles. The Apostles embolden by the Spirit began to proclaim the Good News in different tongues to all travelers who were in Jerusalem from as far as Rome, Egypt and other areas.
The Gospel tells us that everyone in Jerusalem who heard the Apostles did so in their own native tongue.
Folks this is the real deal, no movie effects, no special gizmos, just the pure power of the Holy Spirit!
Still not convinced of the power or existence of the Holy Spirit? Reflect on the fact that our Church exists almost 2,000 years after many entities, governments, and people outside and inside of the Church have debated, condemned, abused, persecuted and tried to destroy our Church and its teachings. Any other institution would’ve collapsed, but
thanks to the Holy Spirit, our Church still stands and will stand until the end of time.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life who proceeds from the Father and Son. It is the Holy Spirit who pours God’s love into our hearts. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, there is plenty for us to learn and discover.
In our own lives, the Holy Spirit kindles faith in us.
The Holy Spirit is the first touch of God in our road to knowing Jesus. The Holy Spirit communicates to us intimately and personally by virtue of our Baptism. And at Confirmation, we receive His gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Gifts which when properly cared for and practiced produce for us the Fruits of the Spirit: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.
The Holy Spirit is very powerful advocate for us.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to help you and me in our faith journey.
Let’s call on God the Holy Spirit so His gifts may grow in us to assist us in our daily life as we journey towards heaven.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
On behalf of Fr. Reynold, Fr. John, Deacon Randy and our Staff, have a joyful Easter Season!
In Christ,
Alonso Rosado
Director of Development
