Dear Parish Family: It seems like the leaves have popped out overnight and spring is finally here. The past month has flown by with Easter being a distant memory and First Eucharist and Confirmation being recent ones. Congratulations to all our First Communicants, Confirmandi and recent college graduates! High school graduations will be here before you know it and to celebrate our graduating senior’s accomplishments, our annual Mass for Graduating Seniors will be next Saturday, May 25th at the 4PM Mass. As you know Fr. Bill is on retreat this week. I am so happy that he has this time to disconnect and focus on his physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. It is so important for all of us to take time for ourselves – to think and re-evaluate. When you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or disconnected you need to recharge and reconnect. We cannot be totally present to other people when we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. The word “retreat” is rather churchy. Call it whatever you want. Retreats do not have to be fancy or formal. Sometimes, just retreating for a few hours or a few minutes helps us to recharge. It is important to take some quiet time each and every day for yourself. Take a walk, listen to music, work on a hobby, or just sit quietly. For me, time spent in my garden is such a gift. Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their ministry. It is also considered the birthday of the church and meant to be a joyful celebration. Pentecost is a reminder to us today that God's life, breath and energy lives in, with and among us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we cannot help but to be loving, joyful, peaceful, kind, good, and faith-filled people. So, take a moment to “retreat” to your happy place and reflect on how we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives. In Baptism, we “put on Christ” …. but have we really? Pam Chaplin