Today we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven. Until several years ago this feast was celebrated 40 days after Easter which made it Ascension Thursday. Most of the dioceses in the United States changed the celebration to the 7th Sunday of Easter so that more of the faithful would be able to celebrate the feast by going to Mass. Our Lord’s ascension into heaven marks His parting words to the apostles to go spread the Gospel to every land and nation. As He told them, He also tells us that we too must be ready and willing to spread the Good News, that is, to evangelize by witnessing to our faith in the world today.
On June 6, at 6 PM, Bishop Malesic will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to about 50 candidates. Please keep them in your prayers. This is a very important time for these candidates as it is the beginning of their adult formation in the Catholic Faith. Thanks to Fr. Joe Robinson, Deacon Rich, Maggie McCarron, and several volunteers who have developed a very fine program for the candidates after Confirmation.
Next Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. At this time, they were given the fullness of the Holy Spirit along with the gifts that the Spirit brings. We have received those same gifts at Baptism and Confirmation. On this Feast of Pentecost, we pray and reflect on how we use the gifts we have been given and pray that the Holy Spirit guide us and sanctify us, to rule us and watch over us, so that we may generously give of ourselves to God and others. Please remember to wear something RED in honor of this feast.
The Holy Spirit also prompts us to move out of our comfort zone to be of service in areas that we think we cannot. The celebration of Pentecost can help us rethink what it is that we do in our lives in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Some of you are involved in various ministries and parish organizations that are very helpful in reaching out to others in their need. There are also many opportunities for us to share our faith with others. Several years ago, on the Feast of Pentecost, there was an opportunity to indicate interest in a parish organization or ministry. Next Sunday there will be a list of these parish organizations and ministries in the pews. I would ask that after the homily you take a moment to look at the list and indicate which you may have an interest in. Then provide your name, phone number, and e-mail, so someone from that group can contact you with more information. This is not a commitment, but just a show of interest. I would suggest taking some time to visit our parish website, https://shofjesus.com, or the directory/guidebook, there is a description of parish ministries and organizations. Please take some time to pray and reflect, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your mind and heart and strengthen your will.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The Feast of the Sacred Heart will be celebrated on the weekend of June 28 and 29 at all the Masses. Following the 5 PM Mass on Sunday, June 29, we will hold our parish picnic in the school parking lot. The Family Life Commission and the Parish Council will be working to plan the event, but more help and ideas would be most welcome. So, if you would like to help plan this parish gathering, please call the parish office as soon as you can. In the meantime, we can all pray for good weather, or we will have to have our “picnic” in the gym.
The Feast of Corpus Christi is on Sunday, June 22nd. We will again have an outdoor procession with the Blessed Sacrament after the 10:30AM Mass, weather permitting. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather and publicly express our devotion to and our belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Please plan to join us for this very special time of prayer.
