Fire: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” This weekend we celebrate the conclusion of Easter with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. Come Holy Spirit!!! We pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the whole Church and especially on our parish. In order to transform the world we need to transform ourselves and this can only be done by the Holy Spirit. Fr. Raniero Cantalemessa, O.F.M., the preacher for the papal household, said that “Pentecost is the moment when a heart of stone is shattered and a heart of flesh takes its place.” Saint Pope John Paul II remarked that “We have the right, the duty and the joy to say that Pentecost goes on!”
Something New: Pope Francis has added a new liturgical celebration with the rank of Memorial for “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church” to the General Roman Calendar. It is a moveable celebration that will be marked each year on the Monday after Pentecost. This year that will fall on Monday, May 21. Another day to celebrate the Blessed Mother. How wonderful!
DSA: Many thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Diocesan Services Appeal. So far 246 pledges have contributed $66,770, which is 36% of our $188,000 goal. Please consider giving. We are blessed to belong to the Diocese of Lansing. They provide tremendous service. There are a couple of parishes that have already exceeded their goal. I hope we can do the same.
Finance Council: This Monday, May 21, our finance council is meeting. The main focus of our agenda is to approve the budget for next year. Please pray for this endeavor.
Abbey: Our choir will be singing at Abbey Park this Sunday at 2 pm. Thanks so much for sharing your talent and time with others.
Grandparents: Speaking of singing, heard many positive comments about our school Grandparent’s Day. Hearing the 8th graders sing Ave Maria was quite special. (Please see page 6 for the photos)
Box Tops: Speaking of our school, they are collecting Box Tops for Education. Each grade competes with each other to see who can collect the most. Please support this endeavor. Last year the school received a $5,000 gift based on their box top collection. Hope they are able to do the same this year.
IMPACT: Our youth group is celebrating the end of the year this Sunday, May 20, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the St. Joseph Center. All 7th and 8th graders are especially invited to attend. As always, there will be plenty of fun and food—especially ice cream!
Graduation: Speaking of our youth, the graduation Mass is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, at the 10 am Mass.
Fun Fest: Can’t thank enough all the volunteers who are serving at the Grand Blanc Fun Fest from June 7 – 10. They are still looking for more volunteers to help with our entertainment tent.
In Christ’s love and mercy,
Msgr. Jerry
Note: I forgot to mention in last Sunday’s bulletin that May 13 is the memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady asked the children and us to pray a rosary every day for peace— peace in our world, in our families, in our hearts.
Some saint quotes on the Holy Spirit:
O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. — Saint Augustine
Those whose hearts are pure are temples of the Holy Spirit. — St. Lucy
As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls. — St. Peter Damian