Ascension to Pentecost: Catch the Fire!

The Easter Season is coming to a climax—this weekend we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord and next weekend is Pentecost. These two events are closely related as Jesus tells his apostles right before he ascends to heaven: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The apostles probably felt intimidated by this mandate to go “to the end of the earth!” But after they received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost they were, indeed, empowered to give witness to Jesus wherever he sent them. And successive generations of Christians have done the same eventually establishing the Archdiocese of Denver in 1887.

When Archbishop Golka visited our parish on May 3 to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 43 of our children, teens and adults he shared how he felt intimidated by the mandate Jesus has given him. “The Lord has entrusted me to be the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Denver,” he said. “That means I am responsible for the salvation of over 600,000 Catholics! I cannot possible do this alone.” Then he looked into the eager faces of those about to be confirmed and said, “I’m going to need your help. Will you make a commitment today to be my helpers, to share the Good News of Jesus with your friends and family?”

That’s the spirit of our shepherd, Archbishop Golka, who takes seriously the mandate of Jesus to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). The ministry team of Immaculate Heart of Mary is also trying to embrace this mandate of Jesus. The Holy Spirit continues to inspire us to celebrate and share our faith in new ways. I’m excited to share with you some upcoming events by which our parish is giving witness to the Risen Jesus in our midst. I invite you to participate, and to bring with you a friend or family member who could benefit from an encounter with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring someone to mind, and trust that the Holy Spirit is already preparing them to receive your invitation. 
On the Vigil of Corpus Christi, Saturday June 6, we will celebrate a Bilingual Mass at 4 pm. Then we will carry our Eucharistic Lord in procession around E.B. Raines Park, inviting all those in the park to acknowledge that Jesus has come for them as the Bread of Life. After returning to the Church, we will have a Potluck Dinner in Cabrini Hall and celebrate the ordination anniversaries of our clergy.

Vacation Bible School, June 8 – 12; Cathletics: Training to be Champions for Christ Children Pre K through grade 5 are invited to this week of fun and faith, from 9:15 – 12:15.  

On the Vigil of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thursday June 11, the US Bishops are inviting us to consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To prepare for this feast day we will pray a novena June 3 – 11. Then we will pray the Consecration Prayer during the Candlelight Mass which begins at 7 pm. See this link for more information:
https://www.usccb.org/consecration-united-states-sacred-heart-jesus

TGIF: Pilgrimage to the Heart. On three Fridays in June, you are invited to hear an inspiring talk about the Eucharist at 7 pm in the Church, followed by an informal reception at 7:30 pm in the narthex. These talks were given at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. 
June 12 - Chris Stefanik: Share the Gospel with Confidence and Joy
June 19 - Fr. Mike Schmitz: The Greatest Love Story
June 22 - Bishop Barron: Evangelizing the Body of Christ
The fire of Pentecost is already blazing in our parish. Catch the fire!