PENTECOST

Dear friends in Christ

Happy Birthday of our Holy Mother the Church! Today the Church was born in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. Gathered with Mary are the eleven Apostles who had remained in prayer from the moment of Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven. We date the start of the Catholic Church from this moment when the Holy Spirit appeared in countless tongues of fire. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is no less powerful in our time, just that the manifestations are different; we may not see physical signs as at the time of the Apostles, but the action of the Holy Spirit can be seen everywhere still. Every time we pray, each time we perform a charitable deed, every action of the Church, is a work of the Holy Spirit who guides, teaches and empowers us to be good witnesses to the presence of God.

This weekend is traditionally the time when we celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation, especially Confirmation. During 11.30am Mass this Sunday a number of our young adults will receive this Sacrament which completes their initiation into the Church, as well as some others who will be Baptised and receive their first Communion at this time. Please pray for them all, that they will remain rooted in the faith and Tradition of the Apostles, the Faith of our Fathers.

God bless you all and pray for the grace of perseverance in the Faith of Church born on this Day!

Msgr Kevin Hale