A Message from Fr. Steve Kuhlmann, OP
Happy Birthday! This Solemnity of Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church. Exactly when the Church started to celebrate Pentecost liturgically is unknown, but there is a reference to it from the 2nd century in the Episola Apostolorum from the Eastern church. Some churches in the East celebrate Pentecost with an expanded vigil with added readings and psalms, much as we in the West do on the Easter Vigil.
As many families have special traditions on birthdays and holidays, the Church also does. One of these is the sequence. Sequences were added in the 9th century to follow the Alleluia and based upon the Latin name “sequentia,” which means continuing. They continued the Alleluia to accompany the lengthy Gospel procession. Today, only four remain, and they are proclaimed before the Alleluia: Easter, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and Our Lady of Sorrows. Today, only the Easter and Pentecost sequences are required.
The sequence for Pentecost Veni, Sancte Spiritus, is the foundation of our common hymn, “Come, Holy Ghost.” The origin of this sequence is unknown. Some attribute it to King Robert II the Pious of France (970-1031). Others attribute it to Pope Innocent III (1161-1216). The most likely candidate is Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury (+1228). This beautiful hymn entered the Roman Missal (The book of prayer for celebrating the Eucharist) sometime in the 16th century.
This sequence begins with the words: “Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from your celestial home, shed a ray of light divine!” The light theme continues later in the words: “O most blessed Light divine, shine within these hearts of yours, and our inmost being fill!” I love that image of us asking the Holy Spirit to shine on us and to fill our innermost cores. The following line is: “Where you are not, we have naught, nothing good in deed or thought, nothing free from taint of ill.” We have nothing but ill when we banish or dismiss or ignore the Holy Spirit. The sequence ends with these words:
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift, descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
Happy Birthday!
Fr. Steve Kuhlmann, OP
Resources:
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
Memorial Day (May 29) Schedule
Please note that our Parish Office will be closed this Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Confession and Daily Mass will be celebrated.
"No Regrets" Part 2: Preparing Yourself and Loved Ones for Survivorship
Death is a certainty. Make your preparations NOW to leave this life with no regrets. It's never too early or too late. Hosted by the Men of St. Tom's (MoST), this workshop series will prepare you and help your loved ones with the worldly implications of your departure. The fifth of seven weekly sessions will take place this Thursday, June 1, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Newman Hall and will cover financial affairs and what your loved ones need to know. For questions, email most@boilercatholics.org. For session details and to register, visit www.boilercatholics.org/no-regrets
Second Collection & Food Pantry Collection Next Weekend
Next weekend (June 3-4) is the first weekend of the month when St. Tom's second collection benefits our Mother Teresa Fund, providing rent and utility assistance for members of the Greater Lafayette community. It’s also the weekend to bring items in for the campus food pantry. Thank you for your generosity!
Spiritual Restorative Yoga starts June 5
All are welcome (both men and women) to Spiritual Restorative Yoga on Mondays, June 5, July 10, and August 7, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Siena Rooms (downstairs). Integrate prayer with core strengthening, stretching, and functional movements to nourish your body and soul. Bring your mat and a $5 donation. Sessions are being led by Amy Strasburger. For questions, email Monica Waters at monica@watersfamily.com.
Theology on Tap is slated for June 6
Since the Enlightenment, man has made himself the center of his own isolated reality. We have cut ourselves off from nature, each other, God, and even our own selves. This isolation and ego-centrism has become the default setting for modern man. So, what is the cure? Join us on Tuesday, June 6, in the upstairs meeting room at Harry's Chocolate Shop at 7:00 p.m. to find out. Our presenter is John Storey. Everyone, 21 and older, is welcome to attend!
New Parishioner Welcome on June 11
All new resident and student parishioners to St. Tom's are invited to join the New Parishioner Welcome Reception on Sunday, June 11, after 11:15 a.m. Mass (about 12:30 p.m.) in Room 3. Meet the priests and staff of St. Tom's and other new parishioners. Learn more about the parish, including a building tour and the many programs and ministries to support your faith. Babysitting is available for families (with snacks for the children), and heavy appetizers will be served during the reception. Please RSVP to Georgana Finn at dfinn98798@gmail.com or by text at (240) 393-8182. We can't wait to meet you! Note: If you have been attending St. Tom's but haven't registered yet, we encourage you to do so on the parish website.
Eucharistic Procession and Return of the Sacred Blood on June 11
St. Tom's will celebrate the Church’s Three-Yar Eucharistic Revival coming to the parish level with a Eucharistic Procession around the parameter of the parish following the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, June 10. That weekend is also the reintroduction of the Sacred Blood at 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 11. Note: A group of student and resident parishioners have formed a committee and are planning events and activities to strengthen our parish’s love for the Eucharist over the next year. If you would like to help, too, please email Jenny Bay at jbay@purdue.edu.
Coffee & Donut Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to continue Coffee and Donuts after 9:00 a.m. Mass during the summer months. Please sign up on the sheet outside the kitchen door downstairs or email Judy@boilercatholics.org if you can assist.
Volunteer Receptionists at St. Tom’s
Do you have two or three hours twice a month you’d like to donate to St. Tom’s as a volunteer receptionist? There are openings to fill, especially morning and Friday afternoon timeslots. For more information, please contact Mary Riehle by calling the parish office on weekday afternoons or by emailing Mary@boilercatholics.org.
St. Tom's Parking Policy
Thank you for everyone’s patience with our newly enforced parking policy. If you are a resident parishioner who visits the church on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and have not picked up a St. Tom’s parking permit from the Parish Office, please do so to avoid receiving a Purdue parking ticket. For details, visit www.boilercatholics.org/news/parking.
Register by Monday for Vacation Bible Camp, June 5 to 9!
Join us this summer for an out-of-this-world adventure with Jesus! Vacation Bible Camp will be offered from Monday, June 5, to Friday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (concluding Friday after Daily Mass). There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Sign up by Monday, May 29. Download your registration form below or pick up a paper copy in the Gather Space. For questions, email Carolyn McKinnis.
