Pentecost is “The Birthday of the Church” in the sense that it marked the first public showing-forth, the celebration of the church’s amazing identity and mission for all to see. As a church, we are a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and languages never heard of in history, but all fully united as one in the worship of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
 
If, by some miracle, you and I have found the grace to believe these mysteries, then it’s party time! We are blessed to know who we are, and whose we are.
 
The church of Jesus Christ is his living body… and Pentecost is the day we receive our mission from Jesus: to do, through the church, the great work we cannot do on our own. We should jump with joy at receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which help us to place ourselves at the service of the world. As St. Paul says, our mission leads us from gifts, to service: “…there are different forms of service, but the same Lord; there are different workings, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” Pentecost should give us a new reverence for the wild and wonderful workings of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be grateful that the Spirit “blows where it will,” to produce different results in different people.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!  We welcome and congratulate Brother Seraphim Baalbaki, CFR who was recently ordained to the priesthood and today is celebrating his 1st Mass, a Mass of Thanksgiving, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Thomas More Church. Br. Seraphim is a member of the Community of Franciscan Friars of Renewal, who live among and care for the poor and destitute.
 
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE  Beginning July 1st, we welcome Mrs. Mary Swindal as the Pastoral Associate for Resurrection Parish. What does a Pastoral Associate do? The work of the Pastoral Associate is comprehensive, related to all aspects of parish life.  The responsibilities of the Pastoral Associate are dependent upon the needs of the parish. The Pastoral Associate oversees areas of worship, education/formation of the Faithful and pastoral service to the parish, interacting with all age groups.
 
This weekend is Missionary Cooperation Sunday  Today you will hear a homily letter written by the Archbishop of Delhi, and there will be a second collection to benefit some of their most urgent needs. Realizing that it has been a difficult few years for all of us, we can only imagine how difficult it has been for people who live in countries with no or very few safety nets. Please be as generous as possible through prayer and financial support in helping to provide for the poor of New Delhi, India. Donations may also be mailed or dropped off to our parish office throughout the week.