From The Bishop

This Sunday (May 15), the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. In the Gospel of St. John, our Lord sends the disciples out into the world and then breathed on them bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit. The order of these two events is significant. By giving the gift of the Holy Spirit after He has sent forth His disciples, the Lord reminds us that the Holy Spirit is essential for a successful mission. It is only those who share in Christ’s mission that are given the Holy Spirit. On the day of our baptism we began our mission in the Holy Spirit. At Confirmation, the Holy Spirit offered to us seven gifts to assist us in this mission. Our challenge is to use these gifts to transform us so that we can transform the world. I pray that the Holy Spirit will allow each of us to renew our parishes and diocese. As we immerse ourselves in the renewal of the world, the Holy Spirit gives us peace and promotes unity. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that his gift is peace, “Peace be with you.” In the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the unity we share as members of the Body of Christ, “For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” We all pray for that peace and unity in our diocese. Come Holy Spirit and enkindle our hearts with the fire of your love and help us renew the face of the earth.