Dear Parish Family:
Welcome to the Ascension of the Lord! Over two decades ago, many Archdioceses in this country transferred the Feast from Thursday to the following Sunday in order that we the faithful could celebrate the fullness of the Pascal Mystery: the suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Lord. According to Scripture, the Lord ascended into the heavens on the 40th day after Easter. What is significant about the number 40 in the Bible? The great flood during Noah’s time had the ark tossed about in the storm and the winds for 40 days and 40 nights. This length of time allowed Noah and his family to reflect on the mission that was going to be theirs when the storm ended and they walked on dry land. After the chosen people were set free from the grasp of Pharaoh in Egypt, they wandered for 40 years in the desert allowing this stubborn people to understand that it was God who set them free and their mission was to be faithful to God. Before Jesus began his public life, he spent 40 days in the desert discerning His mission and what it would cost. During those 40 days Jesus had to confront doubts and the temptation to serve himself rather than God His Father. After the Resurrection, the risen Christ spent 40 days appearing to his disciples preparing them for the mission. After He ascended before them, they had a mandate – Go! Proclaim the Gospel! Evangelize! We have that same mandate through the power of the Holy Spirit as we are called to carry the Gospel to others and bring others to a hope that the world cannot give!
One of the greatest joys in Parish life is to celebrate young people’s reception of Holy Communion for the first time. This weekend is First Communion Sunday at all our Masses. The second-grade students in our faith formation program and the students in our school have equally divided themselves up between our weekend Masses to celebrate First Communion. Here at Saint Joseph’s, the celebration of First Communion is not a class event, but a Parish and family event. Please pray for these young disciples and for their families that they will always accept the invitation of the Lord to “Take and eat and Take and drink!” Next Sunday, our joyous Easter season concludes with the 50th day and the celebration of Pentecost. This week, invoke the name of God, the Holy Spirit and you will be filled.
Next Sunday, the liturgical color is red, a symbol of fire, passion, and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit and peace in our lives. If you have any red article of clothing or garment, please wear it to Mass next Sunday! wear red! Come Holy Spirit!
May the Holy Spirit be all over you and your family!
Msg. Kevin