Today, Pentecost Sunday, the Church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on us in the culmination of our salvation by the saving acts of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, the Incarnation, the Word of God, the Son of God entered into our world. Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, fulfilled the Father’s will and by suffering and dying on the Cross has redeemed us and taken away our sins by the shedding of His blood. It is the everlasting Covenant, the promise of eternal life that has been given to all who not only believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and God, but also to those who live his commands.
Our Lord Jesus has given himself up for us and when we eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ, living the Eucharistic life by our words and actions we become one with the. We are reconciled to God. We call God our Father and become coheirs with Christ by living in union with the Spirit of God. Praise be to God our Father who has bestowed upon us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens!
These past fourteen weeks I had the joy in teaching eight adults the Catechism of the Catholic Church and our faith. Today, Pentecost Sunday, Chanel Abreu, Bren Arrico, Edward and Samantha Bellido, Viviana Orantes, Anthony Orlando, Joyce Schook, and Santino Ycaza will receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the 12:00 Mass. This great sacrament of the Church
signifies the sealing in of the Holy Spirit and its gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety, and fear of the Lord. They will receive an indelible mark on their soul. And as it is with all who receive the sacrament of Confirmation are called to be missionaries and proclaim the Gospel by word and action. The Catholic Church is the universal sacrament of salvation and the most effective means of grace, sanctification. Congratulations to all of you!
This Memorial Day weekend we remember the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we cherish. We mourn with the families and friends of those we have lost, hoping they find comfort in knowing their loved ones died with honor. We are grateful for their sacrifices. We are blessed to live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, thanks to our heroes who sacrificed their lives. May all of us take a moment during this holiday weekend and give thanks to those who served and also those who are serving today keeping us safe and secure.
God Bless America!
St. Jude, pray for us ~
Blessings and Joy,
Fr. Ryan