On Faith

MAY 15

The Holy Spirit Alive at St. Catherine's

Pentecost is upon us now and in our religious education programs we seldom have a chance to celebrate with our children and youth. This year, however, our Generations of Faith families will come together on Pentecost evening for a meal and a chance to share our faith one more time before the summer break. Our Open Hearts community will be recognized that evening as an official Community of Faith and Light, part of an international movement that works with anyone with special needs, on Sunday as well.

These two groups at St. Catherine's, Open Hearts and Generations of Faith, are among the many ways we see the Holy Spirit alive here. Our sense of community is strong. People of all ages, - parents, grandparents, children and youth, people of all abilities and talents - come together monthly to break bread, pray, sing, learn, and serve others.

Come, Holy Spirit, come: our hearts are on fire. Help us keep the flame alive.








Yay May!

Last night, after a weekend of sacramental celebrations someone asked how I was doing. Elated and exhausted at the same time, all I could say was, "Yay, May".

The work of religious education is intimately related to the sacramental life of the parish. We collectively spend a lot of time and energy reflecting on the Gospel, the seasons of the Church year and what it all means to us. New Catholics have spent months learning about God and the Church; young people have been taught, to the best of their ability, about the mystery of the Eucharist, adults have been prepared to celebrate Confirmation with the Bishop.

This weekend alone saw dozens of children make their First Communion, adults confirmed, babies baptized and a young adult fully initiated into the Church. And we have all been challenged to commit ourselves even more to Jesus and the life He has given us. It's been quite a year for all of us.

Yay May, indeed!