With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit “it is quite natural for people who had been absorbed by the things of this world to become entirely other-worldly in outlook, and for cowards to become people of great courage” (Saint Cyril of Alexandria).
 
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
 
“Veni, Sancte Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit, come!” we pray on this great feast of the Church.  In the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 we read about the coming down of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the beginning of the Catholic Church.  We recall: “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”  Immediately the apostles went out to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  The spark of Catholic faith was ignited and since then has set the world on fire through Jesus Christ our Lord by the power of His Spirit.  The same Holy Spirit continues to guide, strengthen, and sanctify in our own time in spite of the opposition of the world and the sins of its own members.  God’s great love rains down upon us from Heaven in the person of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is always present to make the worldly other-worldly.
 
Can these be the same apostles who ran away from Christ the night He was betrayed?  In spite of their braggadocio they were not willing to make the necessary sacrifices to be the Lord’s followers. They lacked courage.  They were petrified by fear.  At Pentecost they are all confirmed in the Holy Spirit and receive the Holy Spirit to give witness to Christ.  Before they feared death, whereas, standing strong in the Holy Spirit they are able to boldly proclaim the Gospel.  In fact, the notable difference between the pre-Pentecost apostles and the post-Pentecost apostles is so extraordinary and remarkable that many writers point out that this radical change is one of proofs that the Church is founded by Christ Himself.  We hardly recognize the apostles as they were before now that they have been recreated from above, not from below.  The New Christian order began and we are proud to be its heirs.  Christ will never abandon his bride, our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church.
   
Counting on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our souls, we dare to stand up for Jesus and His Church.   May we have the courage of the apostles in our own day and age.  Countless souls are counting on you and me.  Rise up!
 
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
 
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
 
 
 
The Holy Spirit leads us like a mother. He leads His child by the hand, as a sighted person leads a blind person.
                                                                                                                                       St. Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859)