Saints Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

Transcription

1 Saints Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 902 East Ninth Street Hopkinsville, KY Established 1872 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County. Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor crmeredith@stsppchurch.org Rev. Fr. Basilio Az Cuc, Parochial Vicar bazcuc@stsppchuch.org Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes tdbarnes@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz rcruz@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Schlueter tschlueter@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet wesweet@stsppchurch.org PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) PARISH FAX: (270) PARISH WEBSITE: DIOCESAN WEBSITE: VATICAN WEBSITE: PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM - 5 PM Monday Friday Closed Noon -1:00 pm, Monday-Friday SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) SCHOOL FAX: (270) SCHOOL WEBSITE: Tru h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio) Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish community are asked to inform us. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening... 5:00 PM Sunday... 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday... 8:00 AM Wednesday... 5:30 PM Thursday MISA EN ESPAÑOL... 5:30 PM May 13, 2018 Ascension of The Lord

2 2 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY MINISTRY TO THE SICK Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish Office, PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in taking hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please contact Bill & Jenny Rush at , if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner. Available hours: 2 am and 8 pm Mondays, Wednesday 1 am and 12 am and 3 am Saturdays. Need prayer partners Tuesdays 9am, 8am and 9 pm Saturdays Parish Pastoral Council Robin Bilan, Chair, Education......rcbilan@hotmail.com Jim Creighton, Administration..creighton.jim@gmail.com Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate.ljdowns@stsppchurch.org Norma Folz, Worship.. nbfolz@gmail.com Gary Harden, Assistant Chair, Family Life garyharden@gmail.com Hilda Linares, Social Concern linareshilda@hotmail.com Fran Marko, Secretary...franmarko@gmail.com Morgan Murray, Spiritual Life...morgan.c.murray.1@vanderbilt.edu Katie Wyatt, Principal...kwyatt@stsppschool.org PARISH STAFF Tom Buehrle (twbuehrle@att.net)...director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin (bchaudoin@stsppchurch.org). Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs (ljdowns@stsppchurch.org)...pastoral Associate Jennifer Groves (jgroves@stsppschool.org) School Secretary Leigh Ann Johnson Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard (skinnard@stsppchurch.org)...maintenance Foreman Donna Pfeufer (dgpfeufer@gmail.com)...thrift Store Gen. Mgr. Angie Phillips (abphillips2013@gmail.com)...thrift Store Mgr. Mayra Tirado (mtirado@stsppchurch.org)...hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer (swassmer@stsppchurch.org)...parish Secretary Dan Wilkinson(dwilkinson@stsppchurch.org)...Parish Music Director Katie Wyatt (kwyatt@stsppschool.org)...school Principal The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by any employee of the Catholic Church, please call the Office of the Bishop in Owensboro at (270) The Safe Environment Program is now available at the Diocesan website SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (English and Spanish), Wednesday at 4:30 PM. (ENGLISH and SPANISH) Confessions will be heard any time by appointment. Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class is usually held the first Sunday of each month. Our next class is scheduled for June 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office as registration is required. Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date. Applications: Saints Peter and Paul School is currently accepting applications for the School year. For more information call the school office at or stop by the school office. Donor Tree: Have you thought about acknowledging individuals or groups for outstanding service or achievement by purchasing a leaf, an acorn, or a dove for the Donor Tree? This beautiful tree is located at the entrance of the new school. For more information, contact Sarah Kranz at skranz311@bellsouth.net or pick up a brochure in the parish office. Saints Peter and Paul School 8 th Grade Graduation: This Tuesday, May 15 th we will celebrate our 8 th Grade Graduation Mass beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in Meredith Hall. We congratulate the following Graduates and their families: Lucus Adams, son of Jeff Adams and the late Missy Adams Colleen Allen, daughter of Wayne and Elizabeth Allen Elaine Baker, daughter of Matthew and Domonique Baker Piper Davis, daughter of Scott and Cammy Davis Eli Folz, son of David Folz and Jennifer Hightower Triston Folz, son of Dennis and Laura Folz Josh Groves, son of Phillip and Jennifer Groves Gage Kessler, son of Eric and Jaime Embry Amelia King, daughter of Kelly and Kelly King Walter Kunnmann, son of Thomas and Katharina Kunnmann Vy Nguyen, daughter of Tuan and Bichvan Nguyen Ruben Quinonez, son of Jose & Kiesha Quinonez

3 MAY 13, 2018 ASCENSION SUNDAY 3 Solemnity of the Ascension: In most dioceses within the United States, the Solemnity of the Ascension has been moved/transferred from Thursday to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Therefore, we at Saints Peter and Paul are celebrating the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord this Sunday, May 13 th. The event of the Ascension of Jesus made an indelible impression on the memory of the first disciples so that we find their witness to it in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus led his disciples to the Mount of Olives, towards Bethany, and while he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up to heaven (Lk 24:50-51). Naturally, they remained looking on high, but were suddenly called back to earth by two angels, Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus will come in the same way that you have seen him go into heaven. Pope John Paul II, Regina Caeli, May 27, 2001 Courtesy of V.I.S. Vatican Information Service Mother s Day: Today, we pray for all our moms. We thank God for all the little things they do for us. We thank God for their patience, their love, and their understanding. We thank God for all they have done to mold us into the loving persons we have become. We thank them for never giving up on us. We thank them for the faith they have witnessed to us. We ask God to continue to bless them all the days of their lives and to grant eternal rest to our moms who now share in the Resurrection of our Lord. Gratitude for my Mother Dear Lord, today I turn to you to give you thanks for my mother. With your own gift of life, she bore me in her womb and gave me life. She tenderly, patiently cared for me and taught me to walk and talk. She read to me and made me laugh. No one delighted in my successes more; no one could comfort me better in my failures. I am so grateful for how she mothered me and mentored me, and even disciplined me. Please bless her, Lord, and comfort her. Help her loving heart to continue to love and give of herself to others. Strengthen her when she is down and give her hope when she is discouraged. Most of all, Lord, on this Mother's Day, give my mother the graces she most needs and desires today. I ask you this, in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior forever and ever. Amen! Confirmation Celebration Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. Bishop William Francis Medley Lucus Adams Elaine Baker Piper Davis Aidan Eastman Eli Folz Josh Groves Christina Johnson Amelia King Aaliyah Mulero Aviles José Nicanor Ruben Quiñonez Sarah Sargeant Alex Stites Wesley Vela Colleen Allen Kaitlyn Chavez Julian Diaz-Rodriguez Julian Eastman Triston Folz Jackie Hernandez-Chavez Lilly Jones Walter Kunnmann Vy Nguyen Jac Powers Charlie Rutland Luke Shouse Jimena Tecpil-Romualdo Zachary Vela May the Holy Spirit dwell in your heart always and keep you strong in the faith. Be guided by the words of Pope St. John Paul II, Only in Christ can men and women find answers to the ultimate questions that trouble them. Only in Christ can they fully understand their dignity as persons created and loved by God. MAY IS THE MONTH OF MARY: As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary has a unique position among the saints, indeed, among all creatures. She is exalted, yet still one of us. Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of Adam she is one with all those who are to be saved. (Lumen Gentium, no. 53) Mary embraces God's will and freely chooses to cooperate with God's grace, thereby fulfilling a crucial role in God's plan of salvation. Throughout the centuries, the Church has turned to the Blessed Virgin in order to come closer to Christ. Many forms of piety toward the Mother of God developed that help bring us closer to her Son. In these devotions to Mary, "while the Mother is honored, the Son, through whom all things have their being and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, is rightly known, loved and glorified and... all His commands are observed." The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf.

4 4 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY Intention: Let us pray that the gift of motherhood may be better understood and appreciated within our culture today. It is very fitting that we celebrate Mother's Day during the month dedicated to the most perfect mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. A mother plays an irreplaceable role in a child's life. Without our mothers, we would not have been born and therefore would not have the capacity to live out our Catholic faith. In the words of St. John Paul II..., "it is precisely those born of earthly mothers who receive from the Son of God the power to become 'children of God' (Jn 1:12) The history of every human being passes through the threshold of a woman's motherhood (no 19)." It is interesting to note that the Church is sometimes referred to as a mother. Just as a mother gives life to her children, so also the Church "brings forth to a new and immortal life the sons who are born to her in baptism (Lumen Gentium..., no 64)." Mary, the most perfect mother, is the archetype, or model for the Church because of her unfailing belief and obedience to God's will. "The Church indeed, contemplating [Mary's] hidden sanctity, imitating her charity and faithfully fulfilling the Father's will, by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother (LG, no 64)." Did You Know? In 1965, Pope Paul VI wrote an Encyclical entitled "Mense Maio... " (Month of May). In this document, he explained that "Since Mary is rightly to be regarded as the way by which we are led to Christ, the person who encounters Mary cannot help but encounter Christ likewise." Parish Council Election: Last weekend and this weekend, May 12 th and 13 th all parishioners, 18 years of age and older, will have the opportunity to nominate one person to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council. As a courtesy, please ask the person you would like to nominate prior to placing their name on the ballot. Two positions will become available as of July 1 as Robin Bilan and Jim Creighton rotate off. Positions on the Pastoral Council involve a 3-year term; thus every year, two members rotate off and two new members rotate on. After contacting all those who have been nominated, the names will be included in the bulletin. It is important to know that those nominated will be expected to: have a spirit of willingness to serve their parish faithfully and follow the guidelines given to us by our Diocese (Diocesan booklet will be provided). The first meeting of the Council is a retreat gathering in July where the state of the parish is discussed and outlined. Attendance is expected. During the weekend of May 26 th and 27 th (Memorial Day Weekend), the names of those nominated will be placed in two baskets -- one for men and one for women. Through prayer and the Holy Spirit, two names will be pulled. Their role as Pastoral Council Members will begin July 1, Bake Sale: Saints Peter and Paul 8 th Grade students give thanks to all those who assisted with their Bake Sale held last weekend after all Masses. We thank you for your donations as all proceeds go toward their 8 th grade trip. May is Military Appreciation Month in Hopkinsville, Christian County: We offer the following prayer. A PRAYER FOR THE US MILITARY Almighty Father, eternal God, we ask the protection of your blessing upon our nation s Military personnel. They are called upon to serve in peril, often far from home. Whether bringing aid in time of disaster or bearing lethal force, their mission is to preserve life, to secure the peace, to promote justice, and to repel unjust aggression. They serve the safety of our homeland and that of all who seek to live as neighbors on this good earth. By your grace, give them the wisdom, skill, courage, and integrity to serve honorably and generously. If and when they must use lethal force, in your mercy, protect them and all whom they serve from injury and from every evil. By your faithfulness keep them true to you and to each other and to all that is noble in their souls. By the power and the promise of your glory hold them close in prayer, resolute in the practice of faith, ever beside the Good Shepherd while in the valley of death s shadow. By your light shield them from all the darkness met in War, sustaining them in hope, preserving them from falling into sin. By your redemption gained for us in Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, deliver them when all is done from every sinful fault. Securely guide them through their service and bring them safely home at last in joy. Keep their spouses, their children, and all their families safe in your love. By your own hand receive the fallen, bind up the wounded, and console the grieving. Grace our Military veterans and their families with peace for the sacrifices they have borne, a peace deeper than the violence they have known. Deliver us and all our world from the lust for power, arrogance, and vengeance which are the seeds of war. By the Cross of Christ defeat for us that dread spirit of this present darkness, our ancient foe. In your Holy Spirit reconcile the human race to you and to itself through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH MAY Tue: 8th Grade Graduation Mass Wed: Rosary Makers-8:45 am, HFR MS/HS Youth-5:30 pm Choir Practice: Spanish, 5 pm-english, 6:30 pm Sun: Ultreya-3:30 pm, OA Parish Holy Hour-4 pm Readings for the Week of May 13, 2018 Sunday: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 /Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13/Mk 16:15-20 Monday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 /Jn 15:9-17 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27/Ps 68:10-11, 20-21/ Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38/Ps 68: 29-30, 33-35a, 35bc- 36ab Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, Friday: 9-10, 11/Jn 17:20-26 Acts 25:13b-21/Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab/ Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Morning: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31/Ps 11:4, 5 and 7/ Jn 21:20-25 Liturgical Publications Inc National Police Week: In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. So beginning Monday, May 14 th thru Saturday, May 19 th is National Police Week. Let us honor and keep in prayer all police officers who serve our community, state and nation and especially all those who have died in the line of duty. Graduation Mass As a parish we will honor our high school graduates on Sunday, May 27 th at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. A luncheon for our graduates and their families will follow in Meredith Hall. If you would like to assist with this luncheon, please see Libby. *Graduates don t forget to bring to the parish office a picture (one wallet size for a bulletin insert needed by Tuesday, May 22 nd and a 5 X 7 or larger by Friday, May 25 th for display in the narthex). The graduates we have include: Alex Allard, Matt Berghammer, Maddy Craft, Cor lissia Cunningham, Mitchell Degenhardt, Olivia Folz, Zach Hale, Taylor Harton, Norma Jeronimo, Gabriel Johnson, Andrew King, Kolbe Langhi, Ariana Martinez, Emma Sunderhaus, and Ivan Viall. Please help us. If you have a graduate and their name is not included, please let Libby know as soon as possible. MAY 13, 2018 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Monday, May 14 St. Matthias, Apostle 8:00 AM SANDY MUELLER Tuesday, May 15 St. Isidore 8:00 AM EDWARD ANDERSON 6:00 PM 8TH GRADE GRADUATION EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATES 6:00 PM 8TH GRADE GRADUATION SPPS TEACHERS & STAFF Wednesday, May 16 8:00 AM GEORGIANN SVESTKA 5:30 PM QUIÑONEZ FAMILY Thursday, May 17 8:00 AM SCOTT BURNSIDE 5:30 PM ROSA CHAVEZ Friday, May 18 St. John I, Pope 8:00 AM JOHN MILAUSKAS Saturday, May 19 8:00 AM BARBARA DOWNS 5:00 PM STEVE CARLTON Sunday, May 20 Pentecost Sunday 8:00 AM MARION OLENICZAC 10:30 AM JOHN J. CHEWNING & JOHN J. CHEWNING JR 2:00 PM Spanish FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 10:30 PM Spanish POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY Indicates Requiem Mass SANCTUARY LAMP In Memory of Richard & Lacy Kranz ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES In Honor of Michelle Carew-Bessette Stewardship Thoughts.. Jesus ascended into heaven, blessing His disciples and promising that they would soon receive the power of the Holy Spirit. We who have received that promised gift of the Spirit are now empowered to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth to use our time and talents to spread the good news of salvation. Budget News May 6, 2018 Envelopes Used: $10, Online Donations/EFT Participants : $4, Loose Collection... $2, Total Weekly Parish Collection... $17, Weekly Parish Budget Needs... $17, Diocesan Assessment 17/18(Due $63,662) Pd.. $29, Weekly A Legacy of Faith Fund Pldg. Payments... $3, A Legacy of Faith Fund Participants: A Legacy of Faith Fund Balance... $15, Monthly Payment due on the 15th-$35, Making donations online is easy and convenient: visit our webpage at and click on "Donate Now." 5

6 6 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY In Need of Prayers Bradford Heights Melnora Altshuler, Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent Pat Chesnut, Karen Logsdon, Western State Nursing Facility- Arnold Borders, Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Ruth Britt, Alice Chuhralya, Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki, Friendship House- Christine Mills Others.. Vonnie Adams, Clarence & Helen Allard, Kara Alsup, Betty Aberle, Fred Anderson, Trudy Anhalt, Dick & Jackie Arnold, Diane Bailey, Jean Baker, Norma Boyd, Madison Boren, Helen Brown, Sam Chesnut, Michele Clark, Cipriana Cuc, Ken & Peggy Cunningham, Hugh Davenport, Christy Doepel, Donna Dunham, Franki Durbin, Tony Esposito, Jason Fanning, Glenn Finch, Connie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Nancy Gilkey, Jim Gorman, Mike Grabner, Beth Hancock, Mary Jean Hester, Hannah Isom, Jenna Jones, Doug Kahre, Joe Kukral, Carl Kupke, Buzz Langhi, Patricia Leamy, Christopher Lytle, Larry & Cathy Lytle, Mann & Adkins Families, James McGillivray, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Eric Moran, Mason Nickles, Bill Nichol, Gabriella Olivera, Cecelia Omundson, Theresa Pazin, Oliver Ponder, Emily Thomas Pyle, Martha Reed, Nell Ritzheimer, Faith Saupe, Emma & Gabriela Schiller, Kristian Shouse, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Svestka, Ken Swicicki, Jerry & Bernie Thomas, Carolyn Thorpe, Rose Ann Tobin, Erin Valenti, Gary Williams, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack. Please Pray for our Deployed Military & Families Thomas Borders, Jeremy Chuhralya, Jeremy Crawford, Trey Johnston, Dom Pifko and Tiffany Sellers College Students Welcome Home: Many of our college students have wrapped up their classes and taken their final exams for the Spring Semester. We welcome you home again here at Saints Peter and Paul. Know that you continue to be in our prayers and we ask God to protect you. We also extend blessings on those graduating from college this year. Congratulations, Lindsay Adams: We congratulate Lindsay Adams, daughter of Jeff and the late Missy Adams and granddaughter to Vonnie and Jerry Adams. This weekend, Lindsay will graduate from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Congratulations to all your hard work Lindsay. Congratulations: Brittany Leneave former student of Saints Peter and Paul, Hopkinsville High School class of 2010, Associates of Arts from Hopkinsville Community College, Bachelors of Arts in Architecture with a minor in Visual Studies and on Sunday, May 6 received her Master of Architecture from University of Kentucky. (See picture of mother Daphne Rennison and grandparents Frank and Mary Jo.) LAY MINISTERS MAY 19/20 PENTECOST SUNDAY Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers... Susanna Sargeant, Ellie Groves Cross Bearer... Josh Groves Commentator... Mary Moehlman Lectors First Reading:... Imelda Gorman Second Reading:... Fran Marko Third Reading:... Pam Sweet Fourth Reading:... Mary Lee Fifth Reading:...Jane Irwin Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Arsha Battah,... Patty Goode, Earl Combs, Regina Combs Choir Loft... Jo Ashley Hall, Julie Tiell Ushers...Todd Hall, Bob Marko... Laura Waldron, Joe Mezzoni Vocational Cross... Joe Mezzoni Family Sunday, 8:00 am Altar Servers... Ashleigh Stevens, Patrick Stevens Cross Bearer... Cole Stevens Commentator... Diana France Lectors:... Robert Hill, Chris Stevens Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Terri Means,... Julie Folz, Jenny Rush, Lori Gardner Choir Loft... Bob Stites, Dan Gardner Ushers... David Folz, Dennis Folz... Dillon Folz, Dalton Folz Vocational Cross... Robert Hill Family Sunday, 10:30 am Altar Servers... Vy Nguyen, Martin Nguyen Cross Bearer... Thieng Nguyen Commentator... Sue Wassmer Lectors:... Kelly King, Dee Dailey Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Don McCowan,... Theresa Garnett, Vicki Luckey, Joyce Wiedmer Choir Loft... Marlee Thomas, Charles Fiscella Ushers... Kelly King, Andrew King... Doyle Shelton, Steve Greenwell Vocational Cross... Joyce Wiedmer Domingo, 2:00 pm Comentarista:... Angeles Hernández 1-2 Lectura:... Trinidad Soriano, Tomasa Montiel Ministro E:... Yolanda Perry, Lupita Rosas Hospitalidad:... Chano Vieyra, Tomás Macario Monaguillos:... Alondra Hernández, Bryan Linares Congratulations Virginia Cincotti: We congratulate Virginia Cincotti, daughter of Rossella and Franco Cincotti. Virginia became a U.S. Citizen on Saturday, May 5, Congratulations Virginia.

7 MAY 13, 2018 ASCENSION OF THE LORD 7 Pastor s Greetings: The Ascension of Jesus Christ completes his being lifted up from the earth, which commenced with his being raised on the cross. In his resurrection from the dead, the Father raised the eternal Son in his humanity in victory over sin and death. By his ascension to the right hand of the Father, the Son bears our humanity into the glory of the throne of God. This further reveals the place which Christ has prepared for humanity in the Father s house. From there, Christ in the glory of the Father sends the Holy Spirit from the Father upon the Church. Likewise, from there the Risen Lord is also personally present to each of the members of his Body, to be with us and to shepherd us until the end of time. From there Christ is really present (body, blood, soul and divinity) in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood that he might share with us his living victory. When teaching the introductory course in theology at Brescia, I would routinely ask the class whether or not Catholic doctrine taught that Christ, risen from the dead, is still human. The majority routinely answered in the negative. Granted, this is a complex question. Who is Jesus Christ? What is meant by resurrection? Death? What does it mean to be human? What is Catholic doctrine? Most assuredly, Catholic doctrine does indeed teach that the Risen Jesus Christ is still, in the most superlative sense, human and divine. Once incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he still shares that humanity with us and will do so forever. Problem was, collegians thought of humanity only in terms of liability to need, to suffering, and to death. They had no difficulty with the thought that Christ in his humanity was just like us in all things but sin. But their experience of humanity did not extend to a victory over sin and death. So, one who crossed that barrier, they reasoned or felt, had left humanity behind. They more readily thought of humans in heaven like angels. The tenet in the Creed holding belief in the resurrection of the body did not seem to register. Saint John Paul II, while teaching in Poland had come to the conclusion that the Church of our time was suffering from a deficient Christian anthropology. What I encountered at Brescia was evidence of the same deficiency. If Christ in his resurrection had escaped his human condition, then he would also have left behind his capacity to be our savior. He would have lost his link with us. In his resurrection, however, his beaten and crucified body and his departed soul (that human soul still united to the Divine Person, the eternal Son) were gloriously reunited in himself, the eternal Son of God, with a life beyond the grasp of death. The Son of God brought his humanity, which is shared with us, out of death into the eternal life of God s new creation. Doing so, he opened the way for us beyond death, preparing a place for us in the Father s house. From the time he was a bishop and throughout his pontificate, Saint John Paul II wrote and spoke to restore our understanding of what it means to be human in the light of revelation. He reflected on humanity in the design of God, created male and female new and very good by God, before the damages of sin marred that design. He explored the consequences of sin and the redeeming grace that is ours in Jesus Christ, grace which surpasses in goodness the damages of sin. He had the Church consider the glory to which humanity is called, the glory revealed by the Risen and Glorified Christ. The vision of that glory for humanity in Jesus Christ is proclaimed by the gospel of the Ascension. We do believe in the Resurrection of the Body, that by God s power in Jesus Christ, eternally enthroned at the right hand of the Father, our personal lives will be, body and soul, remade new in his glory. We are promised in the Risen and Ascended Christ to participate humanly and divinely in his own place with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. By his Sacrament and his grace we may taste his victory at work even now during our earthly journey and its struggles. His Risen Body and Blood, right now for us who receive him, are true food and true drink. His glory does not prevent him from being intimately joined to us. Limping and falling as we may, he shares our humanity, we his divinity. We may lean on him as he shoulders up with us all the way; whether we race, limp or hobble, across the finish line. Fr. Richard Pentecost Sunday: Next weekend, May 19 th and 20 th, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. At the Saturday evening Vigil Mass the prayers of the night asks us to follow the example of Mary, the Apostles, and the disciples who persevered in prayer and who awaited the Spirit as promised by the Lord. We follow that example by listening with quiet hearts to the Word of God, meditating on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people and praying that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as first fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world. After this follows an extended Liturgy of the Word modeled on the Liturgy of the Word at the Easter Vigil. Come and hear these scripture stories of our history. On this Pentecost Weekend, consider joining in the festivities by wearing red as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you received Sacraments this year, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, we encourage you to wear white. Children may wear their First Communion Clothes. Come, Holy Spirit! 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