Sunday, April 18th - Third Sunday of Easter
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
The Easter Season is happening! This weekend is the first of two consecutive weekends of celebrating First Communions. We have four Masses with children receiving Eucharist for the first time: a specially-scheduled Mass on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and then during three of our regular weekend Masses at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. This same schedule will be repeated next weekend, April 24/25, plus an additional Mass on Sunday, April 25, at 2:30 p.m. — just for First Communion families. Congratulations to all 172 children receiving Jesus for their first time in this beautiful sacrament. Thanks to all the parents who have cooperated so well with our preparation programs during this most difficult time of Covid-19.
Speaking of Covid-19, it looks like things are going to get better with the Governor’s new procedures starting May 1 and June 1. Our Catholic parishes still have to wait for the exact way we will follow these new procedures according to the plans to be issued by Bishop George Leo Thomas’ Office. I know that they will be another step forward to returning to a “new normal”. I’m very excited about the future for us.
Contained in this bulletin is a letter from Bishop Thomas about the proposed legislation in our Nevada State Legislature dealing with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. This is not taking a political stance; this is a very serious moral issue. We believe that human life is sacred from the first moment of conception to one’s last dying breath; that is, we insist that no one’s life is to be taken by another whether in abortion, murder, death penalty, or euthanasia (assisted suicide). Please read the Bishop’s well-written and powerful letter; then, please respond by contacting one or as many as possible of our elected officials in the Nevada State Senate or Assembly. It’s a matter of life or death. We choose life.
Have a good week. God bless you.
Fr. Bill
NEWS FROM THE PARISH
Celebrating Sacraments
Over the next several weeks we will be celebrating a number of Sacraments such as Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations. Some of these take place during weekend liturgies. We are excited to celebrate these Sacraments together as a community!
Statement from the Bishop
The Nevada Catholic Conference has released an urgent statement from Bishop Thomas and Bishop Calvo of the Diocese of Reno.
The statement is in regards to SB105 and AB351, which would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the state of Nevada. Also, it requires a treating physician of the terminally ill patient to inform the patient they may request a doctor to prescribe suicide pills.
We ask you to please read the Bishop's Statement.
Do you need a prayer? Would you like to pray for someone? You can reply directly to this email (which will create a private comment) or click the 'Reply' button to leave a public comment.
We are united to one another through our prayer. We are praying for you. You are not alone.
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
Well...kind of one of the many 'Moments' of the past couple of weeks. This group of kids, teens and adults were fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. Each of the age groups have preparing in their respective programs (SOAR, Edge, Upper Room, & Well Built Faith.) Their joy in receiving these Sacraments not only was a great way to kick off the Easter Season, but was very contagious. We now walk with the many others who will be celebrating Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and Weddings! Come Holy Spirit!
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
In efforts to evaluate our liturgy throughout this past year, and to develop new ways to move forward in this coming year, we have another multi-question survey for this week. Please feel free to also leave comments (which will be kept private and only seen by admins.)
What's the thing you like most about our Masses at Holy Spirit?
The Atmosphere (Church building)
- View Details
The Preaching (Homily)
- View Details
The Music
- View Details
Hospitality
- View Details
Something Else (leave a comment)
- View Details
What's missing in the way we do Mass?
Better Music
- View Details
Better Preaching
- View Details
Better Hospitality
- View Details
More Reverence
- View Details
Something Else (leave a comment)
- View Details
Feel free to add your opinions, feedback, and suggestions in the comments section.
GOSPEL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Read the Readings from this Sunday, the third Sunday of Easter
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48
Use the following discussion/reflection questions in your families, with your spouse, your friends, or even as personal journal questions:
1. Describe a time in your life when you denied Christ or your faith with your words or actions.
2. Describe a time in your life when you defended Christ or your faith with your words or actions.
3. What was the difference between those two situations? Why did you deny your faith in one case, but defended it in another?
4. How can you be more courageous when sharing about God’s faithfulness with others?
WEEKLY WORSHIP
"I was walking the wayside, lost on a lonely road. I was chasing the high life, trying to satisfy my soul. All the lies I believed in left me crying like the rain. Then I saw lightning from Heaven, and I’ve never been the same.
I’m gonna climb a mountain, I’m gonna shout about it - I am a child of love!
I found a world of freedom, I found a friend in Jesus I am a child of love"
We the Kingdom
WALK CONNECTED: A BLINDCONNECT WALK
Blindconnect invites you to our first annual 5K Walk benefitting Angela's House. This walk is a virtual walk. Walk with us anytime anywhere from April 17 to May 1, 2021 in recognition of independence for the blind through critical blindness training services in Nevada.
April 17th - May 1st, 2021
Registration is $35 per participant
How: You can register at Blindconnect.org/events/walk-connected or click the link below.
This contribution provides you with a walk packet including a Blindconnect T-shirt and swag bag.
ANGEL TREE 2020
November 28th - December 13th
This year’s Angel Tree project will be a little different. As you are aware several things are different from prior years: We are practicing social distancing and many schools have not reopened. Many families are without jobs through no fault of their own. The agencies are at a disadvantage since they must use fewer volunteers to assist in their Christmas gift giving programs. We are limited in space for storage and the number of volunteers we can use at one time. Therefore, we are asking everyone to try something new this year…
After all the Masses on the weekend of November 21st & 22nd, volunteers will be handing out a special Angel tag as you leave Mass. Please consider taking one or two to help a child in need this Christmas. If you are unable to attend Mass and watch virtually, we have inserted an Angel tag in the bulletin that you can print, cut out and attach to your stocking. We will also leave some Angels in a basket in the gathering space of the church if you attend morning Mass during the week.
Here is what we are asking:
Please purchase a 16”-18” Christmas stocking and a Target, Walmart, Visa, etc. gift card (minimum $25). Please be sure to write the amount of your gift card somewhere on the card. You may choose the age and gender (newborn - teenagers) of your Angel just be sure to write that information on the back of the Angel. Put the gift card in the stocking and fill the rest of the stocking with little fun items you think your Angel would enjoy receiving. For many children this might be the only gift they will receive this year. After you have purchased the items and filled your stocking attach your Angel tag to the stocking and follow the directions on the back of the Angel tag. It is important that you give your stocking to one of the volunteers either on Wednesdays or on the weekend before all the Masses.
If you are unable to shop or would like us to shop for you, please put your donation (checks payable to Holy Spirit) in an envelope and label it “Angel Tree”. You can also go online to our website www.holyspiritlv.org, go to “Give On Line” and select “Angel Tree. Donations in the Poor Box will also assist with this project.
Thank you for rising to this new challenge and making this Christmas special for many deserving children. God bless you!
OUR COMMUNITY
Below is information about Holy Spirit! Access the information by clicking on the links below. If, for any reason, you cannot find what you are looking for, please call our office 702-459-7778
OUR MINISTRIES
Below is information about some of our ministries and groups at Holy Spirit. Access this information by clicking on the links below. For additional information, please call our office 702-459-7778
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
New Easter and Spring decor plus First Communion masks, and lots of Confirmation and First Communion Gifts. Stop by to check it out!
Gift Shop Hours:
Open after all weekend liturgies and
Monday - Friday 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
WAYS TO GIVE
IN PERSON: Drop it off at the office or Use the kiosk in the lobby of the Church
AT MASS: Put it in the collection basket at the altar steps when you attend Mass
MAIL: Send it through the mail (5830 Mesa Park Drive, LV, NV 89135)
ONLINE: Use our on-line e-tithing system (www.holyspiritlv.org); click “On-line Giving”
BY PHONE: Text "Assist" to (702)500-1938
Thank you for your generosity to Your parish!
"The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; It signifies Love, It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life."
St. Thomas Aquinas