Dear Friends,
What a joy to welcome back our transitional deacon and now priest, Father Andrew Auletta last weekend for Mass and a cordial and delightful reception. My deep heartfelt thanks to all those who worked on the reception from set up to clean up under the guidance of Geraldine Petr, Maureen Bulwicz, Angela Lewis, and Laura Jusko. The food was plentiful and delicious, and the cafeteria looked festive.
Just a reminder that today, Pentecost Sunday, we welcome back Father Sang Woo Chi to celebrate the 12 Noon Mass along with newly ordained transitional Deacon Anthony Albanese who will preach the homily. Both Father Sang and Deacon Anthony will join in our parish picnic for Pentecost, after the Mass. The picnic is planned for the parking lot between Church and School. Hope you can make it.
Pentecost of course is the birthday of the Church. We recall and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a powerful and dynamic way on the Apostles and those gathered with them in the Upper Room, which propelled them out into Jerusalem and eventually the whole world with the good news that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, who suffered, died, rose, and ascended to the right hand of God the Father. This is the same good news that the Spirit empowers us to offer to our families, neighbors, co-workers, fellow parishioners, even the strangers we meet along life’s way. Are you a passionate disciple of the Lord Jesus? All in, joyful, contagiously faithful?
The Holy Spirit has made each of us temples of God’s presence and given us His seven-fold gifts. You remember them from Confirmation ~ Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. These gifts help us to give witness by our lives, words, and deeds to the glory of God and the power of His love and Presence within us and through us for the world.
As it has been said before, Christ is the Victor, the conqueror of sin and death. We are awaiting in hope His return in glory at the end of the age. In the meantime, He has empowered us by the Holy Spirit and His gifts, to cooperate in what might be called the “clean-up operations” to make present in our lives and through our lives the Kingdom of God so we will be ready to meet Him face to face. How blessed to be a part of His Mystical Body, the Church, and to have access to His Sacraments that strengthen, forgive, heal, and restore us by His grace.
Next Sunday, Father Giardini will celebrate a farewell Mass at 12 Noon and afterward in the school cafeteria we will have a reception so folks can talk with him before he moves to Saint Teresa of Calcutta to begin his full-time work as School Minister at Pope John Paul II High School. We know that his many gifts and talents as well as his zeal and love for the Lord will help him in this ministry to our young people.
Hope you didn’t miss our table at the Collegeville Community Day at Waterworks Park on Memorial Day. Profound thanks to Jim Bozzini, our most talented and dedicated Communications Director, who made it possible. Thanks also to our Sacred Music Director Elizabeth Calabro and the Petr Family who helped staff the table during the event. Saint Eleanor Parish ~ parish family, volunteers, and staff are truly Amazing!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
