Lord, Send Out Your Spirit! Msgr. Kennedy's Pentecost Reflection
05/30/2020
Msgr. Paul Kennedy offers a reflection for this Pentecost Sunday. Lord, send out your spirit, and renew the face of the earth!
Msgr. Paul Kennedy offers a reflection for this Pentecost Sunday. Lord, send out your spirit, and renew the face of the earth!
Father Ferrier offers a reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia released the following statement on Friday, May 22, 2020:
In mid-March, the celebration of public Mass was suspended in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the obligation for the faithful to attend Mass was dispensed. Those decisions were not made lightly and were always intended to be temporary measures.
They were made out of necessity for the common good and in recognition of the fact that all of us share a responsibility for the preservation of public health, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, the Archdiocese has made every effort to provide for the spiritual needs of the faithful as well as the temporal needs of those who benefit from its many charitable works.
It is important to note that Catholic churches in the Archdiocese have never been closed. Local parish churches have remained open for private prayer as well as the celebration of the Sacraments Baptism, Penance, Matrimony, and funeral Masses at the discretion of the local pastor and with respect for guidelines from public health officials as they have evolved over time.
Based on recent statements from government officials at the state level, it is anticipated that the five-county region comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will move into the “yellow” phase of the statewide re-opening plan by Friday, June 5th. As such, it is projected that the celebration of daily and Sunday Masses will resume beginning on Saturday, June 6th.
The administration of the Archdiocese has been working in consultation with public health officials to ensure that such a resumption takes place within the context of state approved guidelines and is actively working to provide appropriate guidance to its clergy so that all will be as prepared as possible when the public celebration of Mass begins again. All of us are eager to open the doors of Church wide for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Dr. Klose reflects on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and how this Sunday’s Gospel serves as inspiration for the hymn, “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”
1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood;
"Jesus out of ev'ry nation
has redeemed us by His blood.
2 Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now.
Alleluia! He is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget His promise,
"I am with you evermore"?
Msgr. Paul Kennedy offers a reflection for this Mother's Day.
Meanwhile, Deacon Bob Hall reflects for us on the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
A Blessing on Mother’s Day
We offer this Blessing to all Mothers both the living and the dead.
Please accept it if you are a Mother, or for you Mother, on
this day when we commemorate and celebrate all Mothers.
Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you
watch over your Church. Bless these women, our Mothers, that they may be
strengthened as Christian mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with
a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen!
May Mary, our Blessed Mother, bless and protect us all!
Over the past several years at Christmas and Easter we have distributed books from Dynamic Catholic to everyone who visited our Church. For the past two Lenten Seasons we have recommended the web site "Best Lent Ever.com." Please take a moment to view this short video which helps us all to focus on the Theological Virtue of HOPE, a gift from God at this unique time in our lives.
Deacon Jim Duffy offers a reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. An empty Church? An empty tomb? What does this mean for us?