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Spiritual Guidance
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A Word from the Pastor“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. " (Acts 2: 1 - 4)
This Sunday the Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus had died on the Cross, rose from the dead, preached and taught for 40 more days after the Resurrection, and ascended body and spirit into Heaven, after promising that He and the Father would send "the Advocate, the Spirit of truth." This brief passage from Acts 2: 1 - 4 describes the actual event of Pentecost, with the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other Disciples, filling them with a stronger, more courageous faith and a more confident understanding of the Gospel. They proceeded to live the faith more fully and to dynamically share it wherever they traveled throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, and in the case of St. Thomas, all the way to India.
In the Collect of Sunday's Mass we pray, "O God... pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers." We need a New Infusion of the Holy Spirit, the entire Church needs a New Infusion of the Holy Spirit, so that we will have the strong and courageous faith of the early Church. We also need the Holy Spirit to give us a more complete understanding of the Gospel and a more confident commitment to Christ and the truth we are called to share. In Acts 20: 28 - 30 St. Paul warns the early Church and the Church of the 21st century to be aware of men from within the Church who will try to pervert, distort, and water-down the truth: "Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: 'Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.'" In a world that struggles with escalating addictions, growing mental health problems, and increasing violence, the Holy Spirit can bring a new gift of healing, hope, peace, calm, and a commitment to kindness. Together, let us Embrace the Grace of the Holy Spirit, first offered to the early Church at Pentecost and still offered to us today.
- Fr. Francis P. Foley
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Some Passages from Scripture and Quotes to Think About..."When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, 'Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?'"
- Acts 2: 1 - 8
St. Anselm: The Prayer, O Lord My God
O Lord my God.
Teach my heart this day
where and how to find you.
You have made me and re-made me,
and you have bestowed on me
all the good things I possess,
and still I do not know you.
I have not yet done
that for which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
for I cannot seek you
unless you teach me,
or find you
unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire;
let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you;
let me love you when I find you.
—St. Anselm
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Welcome to Our Spiritual Guidance Page.
Weekly messages and prayers from our Pastor, Fr. Francis Foley,
along with poetry and quotes from the saints,
will be posted here! -