From the Desk of Fr. Peter:
Happy Solemnity of Pentecost to you all my dear people of Our Lady of Hope parish, Clare. Today the church celebrates again the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles as Christ promised them: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.” (Jn. 14: 15-17). The Holy Spirit who descended on the apostles did not come with a new teaching but to lead us to all truth (Jn. 16: 13). The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the strength and vigor to bring to the world the good news of Christ that all are now reconciled to God and hence adopted sons and daughters, and heirs to heaven. “And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ….” (2Cor. 5: 18-19). The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity has his gifts and fruits to bestow on us, namely: Wisdom, understanding, fortitude, counsel, piety, knowledge of God and fear of the Lord, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control, faithfulness. Which will you ask the Holy Spirit to renew in you today. The apostles became heroes of our faith because they allowed the Holy Spirit to guide and direct their lives and actions, we can be the same today and always for the future generations. May the Holy Spirit renew us today and always and May His light shine upon your hearts. Thanks for all you do for the church and for our parish in particular. May His mercy be upon us as we place our trust in Him! Blessings and peace to all.