Solemnity of Pentecost –

Year A

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34

God’s Spirit renews the earth.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13

We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

John 20:19-23

Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.

We already heard today’s Gospel proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter this year (Lectionary Cycle A). That Gospel passage, however, also included the description of Jesus’ appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led to reflect on belief and unbelief.

In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.”

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.

Holy Spirit Come

This contemporary song asks the Holy Spirit to come down upon us. The bilingual version is led by the author Jesse Manibusan. This was the Gathering Song at our parish’s recent celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic?

Whether you have been baptized in another Christian church or never been baptized, OCIA is the process we use to welcome new members into the Church.

It is also for adults who have never finished receiving the sacraments of initiation (for example, they did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when they were younger).

It is a process of discernment and formation, in the context of the Christian community, which leads to the decision to be fully initiated as a Catholic Christian. This happens when adults receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil (next March 27). 

A new group will be formed over the summer. Then beginning in early September, candidates attend our formation sessions every Sunday morning immediately after the 9:00 am Mass. They attend the Mass and then meet in the parish hall until 11:00 am. Attendance is important and those who miss too many sessions will not be included in the celebration at the Easter Vigil.



To get the process started, those interested should contact Fr. Ron Bagley to arrange an interview. Email rmbagley@yahoo.com or call 760-729-2866, x 309.

Blessing for Graduates



On the weekend of May 30-31, we will offer a special blessing for all graduates from high school and college. It will be given at every weekend Mass. We thank God for our young people who have worked so hard to earn their diplomas. May God bless them in their future endeavors. 

Million Meal Event 

Sponsored by the Deacons of the Diocese of San Diego

Many of our parishioners have participated in the past in the Million Meals Event which has been very successful. In fact, it is now a Two Million Meals Event. See the flyer attached for the details about this year’s event.

Evento del Millón de Comidas



Muchos de nuestros feligreses han participado anteriormente en el Evento del Millón de Comidas, el cual ha tenido un gran éxito. De hecho, ahora se trata del Evento de los Dos Millones de Comidas. Consulte los folletos adjuntos para conocer los detalles sobre el evento de este año.

Notas Pastorales

Domingo de Pentecostés 

Al celebrar hoy la gran solemnidad de Pentecostés, la Iglesia se llena de alegría por el don del Espíritu Santo derramado sobre los Apóstoles y sobre todos los creyentes. Pentecostés marca no solamente el cumplimiento de la promesa de Cristo, sino también el nacimiento de la Iglesia: el comienzo de nuestra misión como pueblo enviado a anunciar el Evangelio con valentía, fe y alegría.

En la Primera Lectura de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, escuchamos el poderoso relato de la venida del Espíritu Santo en forma de viento fuerte y lenguas de fuego. Aquellos discípulos que antes estaban llenos de miedo y encerrados se transformaron en testigos valientes de Cristo. Llenos del Espíritu, comenzaron a hablar en diferentes lenguas, y personas de muchas naciones podían comprenderlos. Este hermoso momento nos recuerda que el Espíritu Santo une a las personas por encima de toda diferencia y llama a toda la humanidad a la comunión con Dios.

En el Evangelio, Jesús se aparece a sus discípulos y les dice: “La paz esté con ustedes.” Después sopla sobre ellos y les dice: “Reciban el Espíritu Santo.” El don del Espíritu está inseparablemente unido a la misión que Cristo confía a sus seguidores. El Espíritu no se nos da solamente para nuestro consuelo, sino para fortalecernos en el servicio. Somos enviados al mundo para llevar perdón, sanación, misericordia y esperanza a los demás.

Pentecostés no es simplemente un acontecimiento del pasado. El Espíritu Santo continúa obrando hoy en la Iglesia y en cada uno de nosotros. Por medio del Bautismo y la Confirmación hemos recibido los dones del Espíritu Santo: sabiduría, entendimiento, consejo, fortaleza, ciencia, piedad y temor de Dios. Estos dones están llamados a guiarnos en nuestra vida diaria y ayudarnos a crecer en nuestra relación con Cristo.

En un mundo marcado tantas veces por la división, el miedo y la incertidumbre, el Espíritu Santo nos llama a ser instrumentos de unidad y de paz. Nos invita a escuchar con más atención la voz de Dios, a hablar con caridad y verdad, y a vivir con generosidad y compasión. El Espíritu nos fortalece para responder con fidelidad incluso cuando el camino del discipulado se vuelve difícil.

Como comunidad parroquial, Pentecostés nos invita a renovar nuestro compromiso con la misión de la Iglesia. Cada uno de nosotros tiene un papel importante en la construcción del Cuerpo de Cristo a través de la oración, el servicio y el amor. Ya sea en nuestros hogares, en el trabajo, en la escuela o en la parroquia, estamos llamados a reflejar la presencia de Cristo a los demás.

Pidamos hoy una nueva efusión del Espíritu Santo sobre nuestros corazones y sobre toda nuestra comunidad parroquial. Que el Espíritu nos llene de fe, nos fortalezca en la esperanza y encienda en nosotros el fuego del amor de Dios. Que salgamos al mundo como discípulos alegres y valientes, dando testimonio de Cristo en todo lo que hacemos.

Ven, Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de tus fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor.

Bendiciones siempre.



P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866