SCRIPTURE READINGS (A)
Acts
2:1-11
Psalm
103
1
Cor. 12:3-7, 12-13
John
20:19 -23
COME
HOLY SPIRIT
"The
disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord",
we hear in today's gospel. All through this season of
Easter we have been invited by the Church, through its
scripture readings and sacramental celebrations, to share
something of that joy in experiencing the presence of
the risen Christ in our lives. Today, with the feast of
Pentecost, the Easter season draws to a close. Does this
mean that we now pay less attention to the fact that Christ
is risen and active amongst us? Hardly. For Pentecost
means that Christ's presence is made constantly available
to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit
reminds us of his presence, draws us closer to him, increases
our love for him and inspires us to serve him generously
and courageously. Look at the apostles after the death
of Christ: dejected, lonely, joyless, their hopes lying
in ruins, locking themselves behind closed doors, fearful
of the outside world and everything in it. Contrast this
with the picture afterwards: once they are aware that
Christ is risen they are transformed by his Spirit into
people who are joyful in the certainty of his company
and courageous in preaching his good news to the whole
world. Fear and sadness are expelled, problems and difficulties
can be faced with equanimity and God's call to life and
goodness can be freely shared with everyone.
The
Holy Spirit does not work as by magic; neither our personalities
nor our personal history are abolished. We are what we
are. Our gospel today tells us that the risen Christ showed
his disciples his hands and his side. Even the risen Christ
still bears his wounds, the marks produced by the whole
human history of sin, of saying no to God's offer of life.
But those wounds have been transformed by God's Spirit
into signs of Christ's great love for us. Similarly with
ourselves. There are things in our past which have harmed
us. We have also harmed other people. We have our regrets,
our missed opportunities. Without Christ's living presence
through his Spirit these things become totally negative,
but with that Spirit even they can be put to good use.
As Saint Paul says, "God turns everything to
the good of those who love him." Everything, not
just some things. And all these good things are to be
put at the service of others, and we ask the Holy Spirit
to help us do that. That is the kind of life Christ lived
and it is the kind of life that he invites us to live
also. Listen to his final words in the gospel today: "As
the Father sent me so am I sending you."
Hugh
Duffy, S.J
THE
MYSTERY OF JESUS CHRIST -
TRUE
GOD AND TRUE MAN
Six
2-hour sessions led by Brian Purfield, STL , MA , a full-time
member of the Mount Street Jesuit Centre, will offer a
complete introduction to Christology – the study of Christ.
The evenings begin on May 18 th with “The Mystery of Christ”;
then “Jesus' Life and Ministry”, “Jesus' Passion, Death
and Resurrection”, “Jesus Christ in History and Tradition”,
“Jesus Christ Today”, and finally “Christology for the
Third Millennium”. The venue is 114 Mount Street . There
is a £25 feefor the course (concessions). For information
and booking:
brianpurfield@hotmail.com
tel
020 7495 1673
MAY
IS MARY'S MONTH
Why
not join the Rosary group in the church following the
1.05 Mass every day? Or contribute some flowers to one
of the many places around the church where she is honoured?
Many thanks to Stasha for faithfully keeping the flowers
in good order throughout the year!
The
Church Team
Fr
William Pearsall SJ (Parish Priest)
Fr
James Campbell SJ (Asst Priest)
Fr
Anthony Meredith SJ (Asst Priest)
Philip
O'Brien (Parish Council Chairman)
David
Graham (Director of Music)
Patrick
Mallon (Sacristan)
Fr
Hugh Duffy SJ ( Superior
of the Jesuit
Community)
NOTE: Fr William
will be in the USA until June 4th.
All business to Fr James, please.
EVENTS
CALENDAR
JESUIT
DAY OF PRAYER AND ACTION
On
the week-end of Sunday May 15 th , Jesuit schools, parishes
and apostolic works throughout the British Province and
its missions will take part in special events to promote
the Make Poverty History campaign.
For information visit the Jesuit Missions website:
jesuitmissions.org.uk
THE
FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES AND THE PURSUIT OF WEALTH
A
series of talks every Monday from 13 th June by Fr Dermot
Tredget, OSB of Douai Abbey from 6:30-7:30pm at St Mary's
Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon St EC2
Call
7247 8390 or visit website: stmarymoorfields.net
MONASTIC
WEEKEND
An
opportunity for Catholic men, 18-30, to experience Benedictine
life at Pluscarden Abbey, Moray, Scotland on the weekend
of 8-11 July at no charge.
em:
monks@pluscardenabbey.org
VINCENTIAN
VOLUNTEERS
A
positive opportunity for young people to undertake interesting
charity work for one year, living in community with fellow
volunteers. Living expenses paid. If you would like to
know more, contact Sr Pauline Gaughan DC : 0151 261 0225
; e-mail director@vincentvols.freeserve.co.uk
or visit the website : vincentianvolunteers.org
WORLD
YOUTH DAY
There
will be a meeting for young adults in preparation for
the World Youth Day Pilgrimage which is in Cologne , 11-22
August, 2005.
The
meeting is in St Patrick's Church, Soho Sq. on Wednesday
18 th May at 7pm .
The
website is: worldyouthday.org.uk
FEAST
OF CORPUS CHRISTI : HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
There
will be a Mass followed by Corpus Christi procession through
the streets of Soho to St Giles also at St Patrick's Church
on the Feast Day, Thursday 26th May at 6pm .
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