I have written a letter to all our registered parishioners and am speaking after the Gospel at all Masses this weekend at St. Brigid Church and St. James Church. This weekend closes the Easter season with the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost, we focus on the gift of the Holy Spirit received first in baptism and then sealed in Confirmation. This weekend will be the first time where the fully vaccinated may worship without being required to wear a face mask. We are using Pentecost, and now, the relaxing to pandemic health and safety rules, to begin our “new normal.” It was this way with the apostles. Once Jesus ascended to heaven, and after a brief period of rest and prayer, the apostles gathered in the Upper Room where the Eucharist was initiated and where the risen Christ appeared on Easter Sunday. Once gathered, the Holy Spirit descended onto them as the Holy Spirit shared “gifts” with everyone. The scene seems climactic. The descent of the Holy Spirit made it seem as there were tongues of fire over the heads of the disciples. This was their “new normal”—energized by the Holy Spirit, they would begin the history-changing journey to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Now, in our time, we enter a “new normal”—the post pandemic world. Stewardship is our way of acknowledging our gifts, our talents, our treasure come from God and are meant to be shared in the same generous, lifegiving way to the rest of the world. Our work—or more succinctly, our ministry—is the fruit of these gifts we are receiving from the Holy Spirit. I hope you will partner with me and our other households to continue the great work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. Please pray over my letter and respond in gratitude to God for all His gifts.

Father Gary