Sunday, May 23rd - Pentecost Sunday - Parish Feast Day!
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
Cheers and Happy Feast Day! This feast of Pentecost is always an important celebration for the entire Christian world, but for us it has an even extra special importance; for we ARE “Holy Spirit Catholic Church”! This is our third Feast Day in our church building and I want to remind you of all the different ways that the “Holy Spirit” is honored in this beautiful space. Let’s start the tour.
As you look at the main front doors (when they are closed), be sure to see the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit etched into the seven blue ribbons streaming from the the “Holy Spirit Dove”. These “Gifts” are: Wisdom, Understanding, Judgment, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence and Wonder & Awe.
As you enter the church, the “Dove” symbol is on the glass walls surrounding the Baptismal Font. At the bottom of the font is a large mosaic of the “Holy Spirit Dove” in a Mayan motif: for this font —like much of the art and furnishings in our church — was made in Peru, where the Mayan culture once thrived; for example, in Machu Picchu.
On the right side of the lobby, you see the original work of art “Mary of the Pentecost” — also made by the artists, Artisanos Don Bosco, from Peru. Notice the “Tongues of Fire” dancing above Mary.
On the perimeter walls of the Church, we have the tapestries of the Eight Stations of the Holy Spirit — marking the different movements of the Holy Spirit in Scripture:
1. at Creation;
2. at the anointing of the shepherd-boy, David;
3. symbolized as “feminine” in Wisdom literature;
4. resurrecting the “dry bones” of Ezekiel;
5. in the form of a “Dove” at the baptism of Jesus;
6. in the form of “Tongues of Fire” over the heads of Mary and the Apostles in the Upper Room on Pentecost;
7. in the list of the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians(see that list below); and
8. in the writing of the book of Revelation by John — that the Holy Spirit will usher believers into heaven. The “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” in Galatians (5:22 -23) are these nine: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. These beautiful tapestries were created by John Nava of California and woven in Belgium.
The tapestry behind the altar shows the “Holy Spirit Dove” descending down the mountains into the valley. That mountain-scape is based on the actual mountains behind — to the west — of our church building.
If you look intently on either side of the tabernacle in our Eucharistic Chapel, you will see the “Holy Spirit Dove” surrounding the tabernacle door.
Finally, all the swirls and waves found on the main front doors, down the center aisle and in so many of the Italian marble furnishings (baptismal font, altar, candle stands, presider and server chairs) also symbolize the movement of the Holy Spirit.
So, there you have it: a virtual tour of our church — so filled with the Holy Spirit.
Happy Feast Day! Have a good week. God bless you.
Fr. Bill