We have arrived at the great celebration of Pentecost. This solemnity that we celebrate this weekend marks the moment that brought to fulfillment the Father’s redemptive plan. Jesus’ entire mission—from the Incarnation to the Resurrection—points to this moment. Jesus said it was better that He go so that all of us may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray every day for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our diocese.
A number of the Church Fathers commented on how the grace that comes from the Holy Spirit is most fittingly described by Jesus as living water. All living things depend upon water to live. However, water produces different effects and fruits in each one. St. Cyril of Jerusalem observed, “One and the same rain comes down on all the world, yet it becomes white in the lily, red in the rose, purple in the violets and hyacinths, different and many-colored in manifold species…For the rain does not change, coming down now as one thing and now as another, but it adapts itself to the things receiving it and becomes what is suitable to each. (Catechesis XVI)”
St. Augustine further commented on the gifts of the Spirit being unique to each of us. “In some of its saints it works miracles, in others of the saints it utters truth; in some saints it cherishes virginity, in others of the sanctified it upholds conjugal modesty; in others this, on others that. Each one does what belongs to him, but they live in the same manner.”
Corpus Christi weekend is June 10 – 11. Thank you for your love of the Eucharist, all starting with Jesus’ love for us.
On May 30, the Herrington Post Office will be renamed the “Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building”. There will be a Memorial Mass offered for Fr. Emil J. Kapuan at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 11:30AM followed by the renaming dedication at the post office at 1 PM. All are invited to attend.
It’s the time of year when many of our priests are celebrating the anniversary of their priestly ordination. Even if they aren’t celebrating a milestone anniversary, please thank our priests for their generous “yes” to serve.
One of my nieces teaches at a high school in Michigan. Their school year doesn’t end until mid-June. I often tease her about moving to Kansas where the sun shines more often, the traffic is light, the people are super friendly, and we have the best steaks in the world. When I told her that our school year ended in mid-May, she told me that was the one thing that might actually get her to move to Kansas!
Recently, Pope Francis talked about the importance of our relationship with creation. He said, “This is essential for any other transformation to occur; it is that ‘ecological conversion’ which St. John Paul II encouraged us to embrace: the renewal of our relationship with creation so that we no longer see it as an object to be exploited but cherish it instead as a sacred gift from our Creator. Creation refers both to God’s mysterious, magnificent act of creating this majestic, beautiful planet and universe out of nothing and to the continuing result of that act, which we experience as an inexhaustible gift. During the liturgy and personal prayer in ‘the great cathedral of creation,’ let us recall the great Artist who creates such beauty and reflect on the mystery of that loving decision to create the cosmos.”
I will be at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2023 Spring Plenary Assembly, June 12–16. Please offer your prayer for all the bishops.
I hope everyone enjoys this Memorial weekend relaxing with their families and honoring those who have died defending our country.
Be assured of my love and prayers. Hope to see you soon.
Bishop Vincke
Today is the Memorial of St. Philip Neri, the great evangelizer of Rome (1515 – 1595). Enjoy his thoughts:
“Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if he wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.”
“The Lord grants in a moment what we may have been unable to obtain in dozens of years.”
