Pentecost is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. (Wikipedia)
Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church.
The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost as well (Acts 2). Jews from all over were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast. On that Sunday, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Christ after His Resurrection:
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with diverse tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. – (Acts 2:2-4)
Christ had promised His Apostles that He would sent His Holy Spirit, and, on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the spirit. The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews who were gathered there spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptized that day.
That is why Pentecost is often called “the birthday of the Church.” On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated. It’s interesting to note that St. Peter, the first pope, was already the leader and spokesman for the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday.
As part of our Pentecost celebration this year, we will sing the Entrance Antiphon for our extended entrance procession. The ministers will begin from the Holy Spirit wing of the church and process through the aisles of the church, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church.
Flower Donations Needed
Parishioners are invited to bring donations of red geraniums and other orange and yellow annuals to mass to fill the sanctuary with colors of the Holy Spirit fire. When you arrive for mass, bring your flower donations up to the sanctuary steps near the altar.
