Ten days had passed, it was Sunday, the seventh Sunday after the resurrection. At about nine o’clock in the morning, as they were together praying fervently, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. The small community of Christians had prepared themselves through prayer for the coming of the Paraclete. The same is true at Mass today, every day; through prayer we ready our souls for the advent of the Spirit.

The descent upon the apostles was internal and invisible in nature although accompanied by certain visible phenomena. There came a mighty roar, like the onrush of a violent wind. It came suddenly, from heaven; but unlike storms that strike a structure from without, this one penetrated and filled the room where the disciples were gathered. Therefore it was not a natural wind, it was a miracle peculiar to the occasion. A second visible sign consisted in tongues of fire that descended upon each one present. These fiery tongues gave visible evidence that the Holy Spirit had descended upon them.

Today at Mass, particularly at holy Communion, the power of the Holy Spirit will come down upon us; fiery tongues will not be seen, but invisible tongues of fire will not be absent. There was still another external manifestation of the Holy Spirit; the apostles and disciples were enabled to speak various languages.

After the roar of the wind many of Jerusalem’s pilgrims hurried to the Cenacle. Pentecost was one of the three festivals which obliged all Jews to be present in Jerusalem. Jews from distant lands, and Jewish converts from paganism too, attended these feasts. As a result, a colorful crowd speaking a variety of languages surrounded the house. Now the apostles, who so shortly before had hid in fear behind locked doors, came forth and courageously walked among the multitude speaking to each in his native tongue. It was indeed amazing! Galileans, and multilingual?

But the malicious too were present; they had the answer. Nothing marvelous at all! Those Galileans were simply drunk, and their drunken babble sounded like a foreign language! Peter showed no hesitation in answering the charge. None of their number, he said, were intoxicated; it was but nine o’clock in the morning, and at that hour men usually are sober. What the multitude saw was, in fact, the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy: In those days (of the Messiah), God will pour forth His Spirit upon men and they will prophesy. . . . Then the apostle pointed his words more directly against the accusers: they had killed Jesus, had nailed Him to the Cross; but God had awakened Him and after His departure to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit.

The pilgrims who had heard Peter give this first pentecostal sermon “were pierced to the heart and said: Brethren, what shall we do? But Peter said to them: Repent and be baptized; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Three thousand responded.

catholicculture.com

These classes will give your child the opportunity to receive their sacraments and be placed in the appropriate Faith Formation level in the fall.

Classes will be held at St. Cecilia Parish Center

Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:15 am

Mass will follow at 10:30 am with their families. Mass attendance is required as part of the program.

Classes will begin on

Sunday ? June 9

Students must be registered by

Tuesday ? May 28

A registration form is on Page 6 of the Pentecost Sunday bulletin (you may download & print the bulletin which is available online)

Please contact Mrs. Lucio at 487-6832 (Our Lady of Peace), 488-3221 (St. Cecilia), or by email: olpluc30@gmail.com, if you have any questions.

$3,000 ? John and Marlene Gosson

$1,000 ? Our Lady of Peace Holy Name Society

$500 ? Gabrielle and Michael Amodio

$500 ? Elaine and Ray Artin

$100 ? Maureen Conner, Larry Colelli, Lynda Riley, Shawn Riley, Lauren Riley, Tara Riley, Joe and Anne Artini, Helen Koslowski, Lauren Riley, Don Vincentini

$75 ? Marie Gruninger, Walt Jackemuk, Jennifer Ryan, Mario Panighetti, Sue Millett, Gabrielle Amodio, Shawn Riley, Peter Albrigo, Carol Cook, Sam Bianchi, Tara Riley, Lynda Riley, Rev. Amedeo Guida and Norma, Jerry Cregan, Tara Riley, Julia O’Keefe, Mike Koagel, Lynda Riley, Anthony Felicia, Nora Adams

Sunday~ June 2 ~ 11:30 am

Frittata, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Ham and Cheese Croissant, Chicken and Biscuits, Muffins, Bagels, Fresh Fruit, Pastries, Coffee, Tea, Juice

All this for only $6.00 per person and children age 5 and under are free. Reservations must be made by May 29. Call Bernice Pisegna at 487-5047 or Shirley Broton at 487-8932. Sponsored by the Altar and Rosary Society.

Holy Day of Obligation

Thursday • May 9

Holy Day Masses

8:00 am – St. Cecilia Church

12:15 pm – Our Lady of Peace Church

7:00 pm – St. Cecilia Church.

Note: There is no Vigil Mass.

Thursday • May 9 • 7:00 pm

This change is for the month of May only. The regular schedule will resume in June.

This Sunday • April 21 • 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Bring a friend and neighbor for a chance to take home that special basket. Select from the many baskets up for raffle.

Sneak Preview and Advance Tickets

Can’t wait to see what we have? Come to the Sneak Preview Event

This Weekend • April 20 and 21 • Following Mass

Admission packets and additional tickets will be available during the Sneak Preview. Admission is only $8.00 and includes:

(20) Raffle Tickets, (1) Wine Ticket, and (1) $100 Cash Raffle Ticket

Additional tickets are also available: 20 Raffle Tickets, $5.00; Wine Ticket, $1:00; Cash Raffle Ticket, $2.00.