Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Here are the readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 30, 2010:

Proverbs 8: 22-31

Psalm 8: 4-9

Romans 5: 1-5

John16: 12-15

Here's a short article about the Holy Trinity, the three persons of the one God in whose name we are baptized: Father, Son and Spirit. If it is difficult to understand how we can speak of the three distinct divine persons united in one Being ... remember the difference between a Mystery and a puzzle. A puzzle is a problem with a solution. A Mystery is a reality in which we live, of which our awareness may deepen over time, but may not be fully explained or understood in our earthly lifetimes.

• What qualities or names might you associate with each Person of the Trinity?
• How do you experience each of the Divine Persons in your own life?

There are no RCIA sessions this weekend; have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Philip Neri

"A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one."

Think you have to be dour and remove yourself from this world to be saintly? Learn about the example of St. Philip Neri, whose feast day is today! Living in Italy during the 16th Century, Philip witnessed the Reformation and later influenced the Council of Trent with the resulting Catholic Reformation. He ministered by sharing daily life, regular life, with people, and helping them see the opportunities within themselves for positive transformation.
Nourished by an intense prayer life, he just as intensely participated in the joys and sorrows of the people, rich and poor, of his community. He eventually founded a new religious order, the Oratorians, named for the custom of daily prayer, songs and talks (orations).

Philip Neri, pray for us!

Come, Holy Spirit

Here are two very different musical versions based on the same Pentecost Sequence. Both beautiful: enjoy!
The first is in a traditional chant style (Gregorian) and in the original Latin - you can consult the previous post for the translation!



And this one is a more contemporary interpretation.



And of course, whenever there's a link to an internet source, simply linking does not imply endorsement of any other links or videos that may be found at those other sites!

Pentecost Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus

This sequence is sung just before the Gospel on the feast of Pentecost. It is generally attributed to Pope Innocent III (1161-1216) and is a beautiful praise of the all-encompassing power and love of the Holy Spirit of God.




Come, Holy Spirit, come!
   And from your celestial home
   Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
   Come within our bosoms shine!

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
   Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat,
   Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
  And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
   Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
   Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
   Guide the steps that go astray.

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

Pentecost Sunday

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 23, 2010:

Act 2: 1-11

Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-31, 34

1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13  

    or Romans 8:8-17

John 20:19-23 

    or John 14:15-16, 23b-26

The fifty days of the Easter Season conclude with the feast of Pentecost, on which we celebrate the gift of God's Holy Spirit bestowed on the Church. The power and reality of the Spirit's presence can best be recognized through what we call the "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5: 22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• What fruits of the Spirit are most evident in your life right now? 
• Which ones seem lacking right now?
  
  The last weekly Mystagogy Session is this Sunday at 10:30AM.
  The last Catechetical Session starting at the 11:30AM Mass is this Sunday. Beginning June 6, the Catechetical Session will start at the 9:30AM Mass.
  The next Inquiry Session is Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00PM.
  (Pentecost by el Greco c.1600)
  

Wardrobe suggestion

In honor of the Holy Spirit this weekend for the
Feast of Pentecost, consider wearing red to mass!

(Duke and Carolina fans: don't worry... it's for Pentecost, not the 'Pack! NC State fans: the wardrobe will be easy for you, but please leave those big foam fingers at home!)

Ascension of the Lord

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Ascension of the Lord, May 16, 2010.

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9

Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28, 10:19-23

Luke 24: 46-53

• The Ascension is the end of Jesus' bodily, physical presence on earth. How would you have felt, witnessing this event?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth.

• What does this mean for us, today?
  

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2010.

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Psalm 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8

Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23

John 14: 23-29

In the first reading, we see the early Jewish Christian leaders resolving a dispute in favor of that result which brought the most peace and was less imposing on the new Gentile Christians. In the Gospel, we hear again Jesus' message of love and peace as being at the core of his identity and mission.

Do you see any connection between the two readings?

In observance of Mother's Day, there will be no RCIA meetings this Sunday.

The next Inquiry session will be Tuesday, May 11.

The Month of May and Mary

May (although originally named for the Roman goddess Maia), is known for us as the month of Mary. Many adult Catholics remember "May Crownings", when entire Catholic schools would process, and a lucky girl would have the honor of placing a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary.  Why May? Well, perhaps to take the attention away from a pagan goddess, but think about the renewal of life, the explosion of flowers and a general sense of beauty that this month represents - as does Mary's role as the mother of the One who would bring us the ultimate renewal of life.

This webpage has links to
lots of articles about Mary, popular devotions, and traditions. Enjoy!