Preparing for Pentecost, New Pews and a Eucharistic Procession

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gives us good reason for hope during this Jubilee Year of Hope:

“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14: 26-27).

The coming of the Holy Spirit is connected with the gift of peace in the Gospel of John (cf. 20: 19-22). It is good for us to ponder this during the last two weeks of the Easter Season as we prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost (June 9). Jesus came to bring His peace which is unlike that of the world because His peace starts in the human heart, not in the rooms of worldly leaders trying to get the best deal for themselves while their armies and drones keep attacking. 

The peace Jesus brings begins with the offer of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father. When a heart accepts this offer it starts to experience God, not as an adversary, but as an Advocate. (Or as other translations of the Greek paracletus render it: Counselor, Comforter or Helper.) When we have peace with God who is our origin, Advocate and destiny, then we no longer treat other people as adversaries. Even when they oppose us, we can remain at peace in our hearts as the Holy Spirit gives us the grace to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors (cf. Matthew 5:44). 

Yes, Jesus offers a peace that our fallen world cannot give. And as we live in this fallen world, he says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Receive the peace of my Holy Spirit and let it flow from your heart into the world. As more and more hearts receive my Spirit of Peace, my healing power will make all things new.”  

As we prepare for Pentecost, let us pray for the Spirit of Peace to grow within our hearts and to overflow into the hearts of those around us. To assist in your preparation I invite you to pray this Novena to the Holy Spirit beginning this Friday: 
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-to-the-holy-spirit-for-the-seven-gifts-309 (Note that the Archdiocese of Denver will observe the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord next Sunday instead of May 29.)

Special Mass Location While New Pews are Installed June 9 – 13, 
while our new pews are being installed, the 8:30 am Mass will be celebrated at Frasatti Catholic Academy (3951 Cottonwood Lakes Blvd, Thornton). There will be no 6:30 am Mass on June 10 & 11. This is because our parish Vacation Bible School will take place that week in our Parish Hall. June 14 – 20 our weekend and weekday Masses will take place in our Parish Hall. There will be no 6:30 am Mass on June 17 & 18. Confessionswill not take place June 9 – 20 at the regularly scheduled times because the confessionals will be unavailable. You may contact a priest to arrange a time and place to celebrate this sacrament. 

Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession Choir 
Again this year we will have a Eucharistic Procession to and from E. B. Rains Park on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (June 22) after the 12:30 pm Mass. This year Janet Isaak is forming a choir to lead the singing during the procession.  Rehearsals will on June 1^st and June 8^th from 10 – 11 am in the Assisi Room. All parishioners are welcome to join! For more information contact Janet at [email protected]. 

These things and everything else in this bulletin have been inspired by the Holy Spirit who has led the Church for 2000 years, and is continuing to do so through our new Shepherd Pope Leo XIV. Come Holy Spirit, renew us!