Happy Birthday Church!

Dear Parish Family,

Happy Pentecost! Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Jesus promised to send us his spirit, an advocate; though Jesus would leave us, we would not be alone. This is the beginning of the Church, Jesus commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” As he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.

As Christians, we are called to be agents of peace and forgiveness. The act of Reconciliation is transformative, spiritually, emotionally and physically. In Reconciliation we must Recognize our sins (wrong doing), Repent (truly feel sorry) and Confess our sin, do our Penance (seek to make amends), allowing us to receive Sanctifying Grace. Forgiveness is our first commandment as a church. This is a sacrament of healing and love, always creating the path to come back to the loving arms of our Lord.

Whether we are the ones needing the forgiveness or the ones who are asked to forgive, let us know we all have an active part in each other’s salvation. Just like it is necessary to have the priest give us absolution, hearing him say, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us, calling on the Spirit’s many gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Council, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord. Even when the hurt is so painful we are not yet ready to say I forgive you, remember, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13); after all, forgiveness comes from God.

Let us celebrate our birthday, this Pentecost, and just like every birthday party there are many gifts. Which of the Gifts of the Spirit will you call on? I pray you are all filled with Peace and Joy of the Spirit.

Siempre Adelante,

Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister

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