SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Dear Parishioners,

Last Thursday, we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus into heaven. Next Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.

So, we are in the time of waiting. We see today in 1st Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles: “After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the Apostles went back from the mount of Olives … they went to the Upper Room … they joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”.

They did exactly as Jesus had asked them to do, that is ‘wait’ for the Holy Spirit. They were still in the Upper Room, for fear of their lives. But when the Holy Spirit filled their lives, their minds and hearts, there was no more FEAR or HESITATION. They spoke out boldly of the things of God, beginning with the fact of the Resurrection. Jesus was alive and in their midst.

In the Ascension, Jesus returns to the Father. He has gone back home; his work is done. He has left us physically, but not abandoned us. He has told us: “I will not leave you orphans, but will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us be his witnesses in the world.

We will have removed our Easter Garden in front of the Altar, extinguished the Easter Candle and opened a new chapter. Jesus is now present in the body of his followers; in Word and Sacrament. This is what we need to reflect on as we wait like those in the Upper Room. Jesus is now present in, The Breaking of Bread – the Mass; in the Word of God, the scriptures and in the lives of his followers. We pray today, that we can understand this truth more deeply.

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TWO CELEBRATIONS:

Now something completely different!! There are two celebrations on the horizon. One on Sunday 11th June; the other Sunday 2nd July. The two are not to be confused. In June, I celebrate the 52nd anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood.  It is you, parishioners, who give me clear identity as a priest. Without you, my priesthood would be insignificant, in my mind.

I want to arrange a party after the 11am Mass on 11th June to say ‘Thank You’ to God and to you, the parishioners of St John Vianney. It is an open invitation to show my gratitude to you all who have been so supportive to me and the parish especially over the past 20years that I’ve been with you. So that I’ll know how many sandwiches to make, maybe you would be kind enough to put your name on the list!

I’m not supposed to know anything about the other party on July 2nd. I believe this to be a farewell from you to me!! I’m getting my ‘spoke’ in first!!

Have a good week ahead,

Fr Joe