This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and upon all the other disciples in the upper room. This event, recorded in Chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles, is considered the birthday of the Church.
Several years ago, Father John Randall was the retreat leader at a weekend retreat for the faculty and staff of St. Patrick School (Providence). One of the things he mentioned (bemoaned might be a better word) was that the Church, as a whole, does not celebrate Pentecost to the extent it should.
Dr. Marcellino D'Ambosio takes up this same theme in a message this week, saying "Happy Birthday to a Billion of us! This Sunday marks the birthday party of the billion people who today make up the Catholic Church. On that first Pentecost, the party was smaller, only 120, but the attendees themselves became the birthday candles when the Spirit crowned each of them with fiery tongues."
Dr. D'Ambosio continues with a message about Pentecost and its meaning for each of us in the Church, which he calls (and explains why) the largest Pentecostal Church in the world:
Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Feast of Pentecost: The Gifts and Charisms of The Holy Spirit
(Please also check out his link, "Holy Spirit and His Gifts Library.")
I also pass on a special blessing from Father Stan Fortuna:
Father Stan Fortuna: Pentecost 2010 Blessing
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