Sixth Sunday of Easter & Transformation

Dear Parishioners,

A happy and blessed Memorial Day weekend to everyone! May we always remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. May the heroic sacrifice and dedication of our men and women in law enforcement, the military, and other service professions inspire us to imitate them as they love with the greatest kind of love, that lays itself down for another.

I want to make you aware that the hours that parish offices are open will be changing. But first, a reflection on the readings we have heard and will be hearing:

The Sunday readings of the final weeks of the Easter Season draw our gaze upwards to Heaven and the transformation of earth that will happen at the end of all things. Jesus promises to make all things new. That transformation can begin in a personal way for each of us here in this life, if we are willing to accept it. It is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit comes to us at Baptism, and our bodies become His living Temple. As we mature in our Christian life, we become more and more attuned to His movements and inspirations. The saints tell us that three virtues in particular are helpful in our preparation to receive the Holy Spirit’s activation of His Gifts within us: silence, humility, and generosity. Silence is necessary to create peace and tranquility within our hearts, so that we can hear God’s voice and be docile to His inspirations. Humility frees us from occupation with ourselves, our own condition and our own experience by turning our attention away from ourselves, another important precondition for our cooperation with the Holy Spirit. If we are truly humble, we don’t serve for our own satisfaction, but for the sake of God and for others. And so, we become truly generous, giving until it hurts, and then giving more. If we cultivate silence, humility, and generosity, we grow in our friendship with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to activate His gifts within us.

Transformation requires change, and as we undergo changes in our Family of Parishes, it is important that we cultivate silence, humility, and generosity within ourselves, so that we can model them for others. And it’s important to have freedom from what is old and comfortable simply because it’s familiar. We need to have the courage to embrace change and embark on a journey together.

One practical change that we will have to implement as we move forward and work towards transformation is to decrease the number of hours that parish offices are open. This will allow us to use the time and talents of the secretaries in more effective and productive ways. This will begin June 1st. Stay tuned for details and listen to Mass announcements and future bulletins for the new schedule.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Henry