Dear Fellow Parishioners, Happy Easter everyone! As we gather this weekend, we celebrate the last days of the Easter Season. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste which means fiftieth. Remember we fast and pray for forty days during Lent as Jesus did in the desert; and we have fifty days to celebrate the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life! Many of you read this letter online when it is sent out in the Wednesday Briefs, so as a reminder, PLEASE WEAR RED FOR THE MASSES THIS WEEKEND! Why do wear red? Red signifies the presence of the Holy Spirit in our community and our unity in Christ and recalls the fiery tongues that descended upon the Apostles when they received the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis has asked us to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during this Synod on Synodality. I have made the prayer my own asking the Spirit to be with me throughout the day, helping me with the decisions I need to make, and assisting me in ministry with those I meet throughout the day. I offer it to you to enhance your spiritual journey: I stand before You, Holy Spirit, as I begin this day in Your name. With You alone to guide me, make Yourself at home in my heart; Teach me the way I must go and how I am to pursue it. I am weak and sinful; do not let me promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead me down the wrong path nor partiality influence my actions. Let me find in You unity so that I may journey with everyone to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this I ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen. As our Easter Season comes to a close, we are reminded of Christ’s promise to us, “I am with you always, even to the end of time!” (Matt. 20:28) May the Holy Spirit, as Lord and giver of life, help us to remember everything that Jesus taught, and send us forth on our New Mission as members of the Catholic Community of Sacred Heart! Happy Easter, Pentecost & Memorial Day, Fr. Bill