This past Sunday’s celebration of the Feast of Pentecost marked the culmination and conclusion of another Easter season. As we celebrated the birth of the Church we were reminded again that the gift of the Holy Spirit has also been given to us. As on that very first Pentecost the Holy Spirit continues to empower, guide and unite the disciples of Jesus Christ. In a world and nation so divided and polarized we look for and celebrate experiences where unity, friendship and love bring us together. These become for us true modern day signs of the Holy Spirit still present and active in our world.

We will celebrate the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension May 30th. The schedule of Masses for this holy day of obligation are 8:30am With St. Mary School, 12:00 Noon, 7:00 pm

Next weekend on Mother’s Day children of all ages and even adults will find traditional and unique ways to honor, celebrate and remember their mothers. With gifts and flowers, brunch or even breakfast in bed, we will express our love and gratitude.

This winter certainly has not been the worst one we have endured here in New England, but it sure is hanging on with these smaller storms.   Even without any blizzards, however, when the month of March arrives we all seem to be more than ready for Spring. The Red Sox spring training camp is well underway in Florida, and this week on Ash Wednesday we will begin our spiritual “spring training camp” as Christian disciples.  The 40 days of Lent each year give us all the opportunity to get back into spiritual shape.

We are still in the Christmas season of giving and receiving gifts - all done in imitation of our God who gave His Son, Jesus, to the world. There are so many different cultural traditions and customs surrounding this season, but “gifts” seem to be the common denominator in every land. Last Sunday on the Feast of the Holy Family I shared an ancient Jewish folktale and was asked to share it again with you in my January blog.