Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete!
This Sunday of Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the birthday of the Church. God the Father, through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, sent another divine Person, the Holy Spirit, to form the Church in her beginnings. After Jesus Christ redeemed the world through His passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent to establish and strengthen the hearts of Christ’s followers to fulfill His mandate to make disciples of all the nations.
Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church (cf. Mt 16:18). the Holy Spirit is the guarantor of victory over Satan and the netherworld. The Holy Spirit protects the Church from infidelity. He animates divine grace in souls. He makes us pleasing to the Father. He guides the Church and her members toward their ultimate goal of eternal life in heaven.
Do not despair; do not lose hope! Our gladness comes from a divine Person, the Holy Spirit. He renews lost strength by leading us to repentance for our sins. He extends gifts to each according to his ability. His manifestations in us glorify our heavenly Father by building up the Mystical Body of Christ in the world. He reminds us of everything that Jesus told us and gives us the strength to carry out God’s word. Trust in Him, pray for His gifts, believe in His power at work in us through faith.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 