Message from our Pastor

 

Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

Friday, May 26, 2023
Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest
 
O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
 
Collect for the Solemnity of Pentecost
 
Brothers and Sisters,
 
“Water comes down from heaven as rain, and although it is always the same in itself, it produces many different effects, one in the palm tree, another in the vine, and so on throughout the whole of creation. It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature that receives it.
 
In the same way the Holy Spirit, whose nature is always the same, simple and indivisible, apportions grace to each man as he wills. Like a dry tree which puts forth shoots when watered, the soul bears the fruit of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit. Although the Spirit never changes, the effects of his action, by the will of God and in the name of Christ, are both many and marvelous.
 
The Spirit makes one man a teacher of divine truth, inspires another to prophesy, gives another the power of casting our devils, enables another to interpret Holy Scripture. The Spirit strengthens one man’s self-control, shows another how to help the poor, teaches another to fast and lead a life of asceticism, makes another oblivious to the needs of the body, trains another for martyrdom. His action is different in different people, but the Spirit himself is always the same.”
 
– St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop (d. 386)
 
This Sunday is the Solemnity of Pentecost. Liturgically, it marks the end of the Great 50 Days of the Easter Season. The New Testament tells us in the Acts of the Apostles that following the Ascension of the Jesus, His remaining disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit while together in Jerusalem. It strengthened them to proclaim to all the nations the Truth of the Risen Christ and salvation in His Holy Name (Acts 2:1-11).
 
In a real sense, Pentecost is the beginning of the Church. The mission, since the initial Pentecost, is to declare to all that Jesus is Lord and live as His Body, the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Sacramentally, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit at the moment of our baptism and then at our confirmation. As St. Cyril said, we all receive the same Spirit but it will have a different effect on each of us. This depends on our openness of God’s grace and the how God intends that we use it at that time.
 
The Holy Spirit will manifest itself in us in a variety of ways, but always for the same purpose. We live in the truth of the Risen Christ through His Church. We are share it with others to make them disciples as well. This was the mission of the Church at its birth at that first Pentecost. It remains our mission as the Church today.
 
Congratulations to:
 
–    Deacon Stephen Dietzel, who this evening will be ordained a priest of our Diocese at Holy Family Cathedral.
 
–    The Burkdoll family, who will present a child for baptism on Saturday.
 
–    Michael Pfitzner, who at the Noon Mass on Sunday will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
 
–    Sutton Cool, who will receive his First Holy Communion, as at the Noon Mass on Sunday.
 
Our Parish
 
There will be a blessing of May wedding anniversaries and birthdays at all Mass this weekend.
 
Those wishing to donate to the parish High School Senior Scholarship Fund are welcome to place their envelopes in the regular collection at Mass this weekend.
 
This coming week we welcome two seminarians to St. Benedict, Ryan Dondalski of Holy Family Cathedral and Dillion Kay of St. Henry Parish in Owasso. Both are in formation at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. They will be here during June and July.
 
Memorial Day
 
Bishop Konderla will be offering Mass on Monday, May 29 at 8:30 AM at Calvary Cemetery.
 
On the same day, there will be Mass at 9:00 AM in the parish church. All are welcome. The parish office and St. Scholastica Chapel will be closed for Memorial Day.
 
On a Personal Notice
 
My mom, Mary Brooks, has been staying with me this week. She returns to her home in Texas on Tuesday. Thank you for your patience in allowing me to spend as much time as possible with her. A special thanks to those who have planned and provided meals for her, and who have assisted me in caring for her during this visit.
 
God bless and keep you safe.
 
Fr. Bryan