Sunday, May 23th, 2021 – Pentecost Sunday - Cycle B

Readings: Acts 2:1-11, Psalm 104 “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”   1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13, John 20:19-23
 
My dear brothers and sisters,
what we celebrate at Pentecost is the coming of the Advocate, the one who         enables the apostles to be witnesses to Jesus’ claims in the world. Before the coming of the Spirit, the apostles were incapable of acting as witnesses; they were frightened men who were too confused and hurt to act as effective witnesses on behalf of Jesus. With the help of the Spirit they are graced with a new courage.  The Spirit continues to be the Advocate, calling on generations of Christians to come forward as witnesses to the Good News.
    We read in 1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”.  We are reminded to share our gifts with others in building the community of God.  On this day of Pentecost, as a parish we the members of St Eugene Catholic Mission and Student Center are   having a stewardship or ministry day. During which we request parishioners to sign up for various ministries in the church.  Projects and grounds, choir, outreach, youth group, Catechists, grief support, altar servers, catholic student association, Ushers, Lectors, fundraising and events flower arrangement, men’s group, and marriage, Christmas decoration, our lady of Guadalupe celebration, help of the sick and those in need or any other ministry that a person is called to for the good of the community in fulfilling our mission.
     May the Lord bless as we pray the year’s catholic sharing appeal prayer. “Lord, hear our prayer as we seek to be good stewards of the many gifts you have bestowed on us. Give us wisdom to discern Your will for us, strength to meet the challenge, and the grace to be steadfast in our commitment to you. Let us use our time, talent, and treasure for your greater honor and glory.
In Your name we pray.
Amen
 
Fr. Paschal Chester, svd