Dear Parish Family:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Amen! As Catholics, we begin and end all our prayers with the sign of the cross; it is also our official way of bestowing blessings upon us all. We are so accustomed to addressing God in the Trinitarian formula that this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity may seem like overkill.
This celebration is always held the Sunday following Pentecost in order that we as a community of faith may rejoice in the fullness of God’s presence through the power of the Holy Spirit. Coming to a recognition that there are three persons in one God helps us to understand the plural used in the Hebrew Scriptures when we read, “Let us make man in our image and likeness.” Jesus continued to point out to his disciples especially in the Gospel of John, “The Father and I are one.”
The greeting used by the celebrant at Mass is also a threefold blessing, “The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!” This greeting is taken directly from St. Paul to the Corinthians and confirms the understanding of Trinity by the early church, passed down through the ages.
Just as Father, Son and Spirit work together through the ages we are called to work together as a community of faith, pooling our God given gifts toward ministry in the church and in the world. To continue our work here in our Hopedale community, we are in need of a few more ministers to be videographers, hospital ministers, and ministers to Draper Place. These ministers are a sign of the community’s presence, bringing the Eucharist, comfort, presence, and prayer to members who are unable to participate because of illness or aging.
Ministers of Care and videographers are living witnesses that our community of faith has not forgotten the absent sick, the invisible elderly, and the unseen sufferers. These ministries bring everyone into common-union with the whole community so that no one is alone. If you have a few hours to spare, please consider serving in one of these areas.
Happy Easter!
Fr. Bill