Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost where Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus confirmed this prophesy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. He showed Himself to these men after His death on the cross and His Resurrection, giving convincing proofs that He was alive. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the men returned to Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room. On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were given the power of communication which Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus had prepared him. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in the room basking in God’s glory but burst out to tell the world. This was the beginning of the Church as we know it. Today, all of us at St. Dominic celebrate Pentecost Sunday with the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation upon our young people. We congratulate them and I, personally, invite them to a greater participation in our Catholic community. Please consider joining a specific ministry or group in the parish such as our youth group or ministry of the Word by becoming a reader at Sunday Mass. We congratulate you and look forward to your presence and participation here at St. Dominic as we pray: Come Holy Spirit of Joy fill our lives with renewed hope. Give us generous and courageous hearts; encourage us to care for one another. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord, AMEN.
