Dear Friends of Carmel Mission,
On this Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the birthday of our Church. So, I wish all of you a very Happy Birthday!
Our Church was born on that first Pentecost in Jerusalem. The disciples of Jesus had locked themselves into an upper room, fearing that a similar fate awaited them as that which their Lord and Teacher had undergone.
Jesus appeared to them, even though the doors were locked. He tried His best to assuage their fears, but was unsuccessful in so doing.
It was only when the Holy Spirit descended on them that their fears vanished totally! They could not wait to go outside into the city streets to proclaim the fact that Jesus had Risen from the dead. Furthermore, they announced that any person who believes in Jesus, would also experience Resurrection. What wonderful Good News to proclaim!
On this Pentecost Sunday, 2019, we have yet another reason to rejoice. Some twenty of our young people here at Carmel Mission will be Confirmed in the Holy Spirit by our Bishop, +Daniel Garcia. We are honored by the presence of our Bishop and neighbor.
Our young people are not putting themselves forward to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation lightly. They have thought about it, prayed about it, – perhaps some have even initially argued against it! But today, without fear or foreboding, they have decided to come downstairs and publicly declare their personal faith in the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, and that they, like the early disciples, accept their Baptism, and the call that they have received from God to make the world a better place by their presence.
As we join Bishop Garcia and our young people on this special Pentecost Day, I suggest that we pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our young people, on ourselves, on our Church and on our world.
Happy Pentecost!
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our weekly Carmel Mission Bulletin.