You are cordially invited to a party!
When: Pentecost
Where: Prince of Peace
Why: To Celebrate the Church’s Birthday and our parish Anniversary
Are you confused by this invitation? Did you know that the feast of Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the
Church? It is called that because Pentecost is when the apostles went out among the people and began spreading Jesus’
message, thus establishing the beginning of the Church. Pentecost (Greek for 50th day) is celebrated by Christians
50 days after Easter, and marks the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles while they were hiding behind
locked doors following Jesus’ resurrection. After receiving the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostles immediately went
out and preached Jesus’ message to everyone—even those who spoke other languages. The symbols of Pentecost are wind, fire and a dove.
The first symbol—wind, is taken from the noise the apostles heard as the Spirit descended upon them and they received
the breath of God and new life (Acts 2:2). After the wind, flames appeared and rested upon the heads of each of the apostles
(Acts 2:3). A dove serves as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. There is no mention of a dove in Acts, but we associate a dove with the
Holy Spirit because of the story about Jesus’ baptism: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the
heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him” (Matthew 3:16).
Since Pentecost is referred to as the birthday of the Church, it is also a good time to celebrate the birth of our parish of
Prince of Peace. So this weekend, we celebrate our humble beginnings 40 years ago and how God has breathed life into our
parish ever since. The fire of the Holy Spirit began as a simple spark, but has been set ablaze by the Stewardship and generosity
of thousands over these many years. The same Prince of Peace depends on all of us to evangelize our homes, neighborhoods,
schools, places of work and the entire world and we can do this together. We MUST do this together!
So break out the cake and ice cream and help us celebrate! Make an effort to try to overcome your fears in sharing our faith
and finding out more why you believe as we do. That same Holy Spirit that took away the fear of the apostles is in each of us, so
we pray, Come, Holy Spirit! Enliven the hearts of your faithful here at Prince of Peace! And thank you God for 40 years of blessings!
God bless,
Fr. Jerry