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From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP

The Bells of St. Mary’s

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

Pentecost Sunday

May 31, 2020

From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP

PENTECOST SUNDAY

The event in Scripture Acts 19,1-8 by St Paul in Ephesus is called "Little Pentecost." But today's celebration is more significant.

Today we bring to a close this joyous fifty-day season that follows Easter Sunday. Pentecost marks the end and the goal of the Easter season. It is a memorial of the Day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and the Virgin Mary in the form of a fiery tongue. It took place fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus.

This Paschal mystery is all about:

· His Passion,

· His Death,

· His Resurrection, and

· His Ascension to Heaven.

All culminates in the sending of the Holy Spirit by the Father at His request to His disciples. The feast also commemorates the official inauguration of the Christian Church by the apostolic preaching of St. Peter, which resulted in the conversion of 3000 Jews to the Christian Faith. Pentecost is, thus, the official birthday of the Church. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church Jesus established nearly 2,000 years ago. Today's Scripture readings remind us that Pentecost is an event of both the past and the present. The central theme of today's readings is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is to distributed or shared with others. The readings remind us that this special gift of the Holy Spirit moves its recipients to action and inspires them to share this gift with others.

Today would have been a beautiful day to come back to Church and praise God for all we have been through because of the pandemic. With the Psalmist, we can patiently join and say, "Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth." Even though the Sprinkling Rite is not possible during this time, let us not forget to pause for a moment after reflecting on the readings and renew again the covenant sealed in the waters of Baptism.

The readings of the Vigil Mass and Mass during the day are well connected because they anticipate the coming of the Holy Spirit. For example, in Genesis 11:1-9, talks about how Pentecost turns upside down the events of Babel. Or Exodus 19:3-8a, 16 - 20b tells us that Pentecost is the renewal of the covenant on Sinai. Even that of Ezekiel 37:1-14 also shows how Pentecost is the foretaste of the Resurrection Day. And Prophet Joel 3:1-5 takes time to describe Pentecost as the long-awaited Lord's Day. If you can read those Old Testament portions before the readings of Pentecost Sunday Liturgy, you can get an accurate picture of what the Church is calling on us to celebrate, no matter the lockdown or reopening of the first phase of Faith Forward precautions.

First Reading (Acts 2:1-11) Luke describes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, and the effect it had on them.

Second Reading (1Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13) The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different people, for the good of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Gospel (John 20:19 - 23) The risen Jesus gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to His disciples and inaugurates the mission of the Church.

Luke (in Acts of the Apostles) and John (in his Gospel) narrate different accounts of the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples. Though the narratives differ, in each, the disciples were transformed by the experience.

As conclude our novena prayer to the Holy Spirit and our Rosary to our Blessed Mother today, let us listen with open hearts to the transforming power of the Spirit, and pray that the Church and the world may change for the better by gifts the Holy Spirit imparts.

JOIN US FOR MASS LIVESTREAM BY GOING TO: https://icmary103.com

Our live stream Schedule will be as follows:

(The Spanish Masses will be in YouTube) Our schedule of Private Masses that will be livestreamed will be as follows:

*Saturday: 5:00 PM English * Sunday: 11:00 AM English

The Spanish Masses will be in YouTube

¨Thursday: 12:00 PM Spanish

¨ Sunday: 12:00 PM Spanish

All Weekday Mass intentions are being celebrated by the priests privately

Please go to the website about 15 minutes before the posted time to join the English livestream. There is a 30 second delay on the video feed. A recording of the Spanish Saturday 7:30 PM will be uploaded to YouTube.

CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUPPORT: We urge all who can to please consider joining the online WeShare automated giving program by going to: https://icmary.churchgiving.com/ to set up automatic giving to keep our staff, clergy, and buildings ready for us when this crisis ends, as it will. After the page opens, look around WeShare at the collection opportunities and click on the yellow button, “Make a Donation", and follow directions. God bless you for your continuing sacrifices.

While we are still able to keep our churches open for private prayer you will see collection boxes In the Church. Please place your collection envelopes or any contribution you wish to make to help support our parish, staff and our utility expenses. Or you can mail or drop your envelope at the Parish Office.

INFORMATION

Live Streaming Update

To improve the quality to live Streaming, we must improve the quality of internet reception throughout our historic building, which is very limited. To do that alone will require some funds for better equipment, wiring, and installation.

Parish Rectory Boiler Update

Already, we have been able to put down half the cost of installing a new Boiler in the Parish Rectory, and we are still in need of $14,000 when the installation is complete.

An Appeal

I ask you, if possible, to consider an additional donation whenever you can add especially to these extra expenses so that we can serve you better. In most of our structures, in other words, the facilities here are obsolete, and we need to maintain them. I know many of you have asked us or expressed concern over how we are coping during this coronavirus pandemic. It is by the grace of God and your generosity that we can manage so far. I wish to strongly appeal to others who are behind in their contribution to the Church and those who feel they will like to support more to call the Parish Office at any time, and we can share more with you what we need and where we are financial. Yes, we have all stretched money wise during this crisis.

Your Prayerful Support

So, in this month of Rosary, our Holy Father is encouraging us to pray more. For an end to the spread of this virus, to the sick and the vulnerable, those who are at the front line of this emergency like doctors, nurses, health workers, scientists, Chaplains, national and local leaders, and all volunteers who risk their lives to save others. Let us support their heroic efforts with our Prayer Of His Holiness Pope Francis To Mary this month of May.

Sundays Readings:

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-11, (63A)

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to the disciples in the form of fiery tongues. They began to speak in different tongues. “as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 Lord send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 The apostle Paul wrote that there are many gifts but the same Spirit, different ministries but the same Lord.

Gospel: John 20: 19-23 Jesus appeared and told the disciples, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Religious Education

Religious Education Students and Parents at St. Mary’s 1. Please note that an email was sent to all Religious Education Parents with lessons plans, class by grade. 2. If you HAVE NOT given us with your email address, please send your email address to icmary103@gmail.com so you can receive important information and updates. 3. If you Have Not received an email, it either means we have an incorrect e mail address or one that we could not read. Please email us your correct email address to icmary103@gmail.com. Parents, please send us YOUR email address. We cannot email the children; it must be the parent’s email. 4. Anyone who would want to reach Marisa Rivera, please email to icmary103@gmail.com.

Archdiocesan Appeal: Update of 2020 Appeal Goals Goal: $37,500.00 Pledged: $30,022.00 Paid: $21,530.00

Thank you so much for your contributions toward our Annual Cardinal’s Appeal. Please, we more pledges and $192,297.80 in our RE - NEW and RE - BUILD that we pledged some years back.

Monthly Update of Renew & Rebuild Goal $409,000.00 Pledges: $420, 984.30 Paid: $228,686.50 Left: ($192,297.80)

Thank you for all your generosity!

Mass Intention for the week of

May 30 to June 7, 2020

Saturday, May 30, 2020

12:05 - pm Available/Disponible

5:00 pm - Available/Disponible

Sunday, May 31, 2020

11:00 am - Available/Disponible

12:00 pm - Dennis Bermejo + * La Familia

Monday, June 1, 2020