Our Lady, Queen of Peace

Seventh Sunday of Easter
Our Lady, Queen of Peace
May 12, 2013
4696 Notre Dame Lane, House Springs, Mo 63051 636-671-3062
www.olqpparish.org
May 12, 2013
PASTOR
Reverend Michael Murphy
ASSOCIATES
Reverend James Beighlie, C.M.
Reverend Donald F. Molitor, Retired
DEACONS
Reverend Dr. Thomas Gerling
Reverend Mr. Paul Turek, Sr.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Mr. Bob Ellison
GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL/PRESCHOOL
Ms. Renée Chauvin
PSR COORDINATOR
Mrs. Debra O’Donnell
YOUTH MINISTER COORDINATOR
Mrs. Terry Ostlund
PARISH COUNCIL
Thomas Broadbent, Sandee Burkemper, Bev Gregory,
René Heibeck, David Holmes, Taylor Layton,
Dave Mills, Donna Otzenberger, Jan Schultheiss,
Tim Webb, Linda Weber
Parish Office
School
Cafeteria
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Saturday Evening
671-3062
671-0247
375-5335
5:00 pm
(Rosary before Mass - Fatima Prayers included on 1st Sat.)
Sunday
7:30, 9:30, 11:30 am
Holy Days
as announced
Weekdays
8:00 am
PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS
Tuesday after 8:00am Mass
ROSARY FOR VOCATIONS
2nd Monday of each month after 8:00am Mass
ROSARY FOR PEACE
Every Monday evening at 7:30pm
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
First and third Sunday of the month after 11:30am Mass
Make arrangements by calling Parish Office
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturday
4:00 - 4:45pm or by appointment
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
As soon as marriage is contemplated, contact one of
the parish priests.
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
Registration forms may be found on our website (olqpparish.org/parishregistration.htm), in the Church
lobby or you may stop by the Parish Office to fill one out. If you have recently changed your status, married,
moved out of your parents’ home or graduated from high school, you need to re-register. Please help us
keep our records accurate.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 12, 2013
Upcoming OLQP Parish Events
2013
May
Sat 18
June
Sat 8
Thur 27
Preschool Graduation
OLQP Golf Tournament
OLQP Picnic
OLQP Blood Drive
July
Sun 7
Hope Builders Summer Service Week
August
Sat 17
Sun 25
Knights of Columbus Fairmont Horse
Races
Ladies Auxiliary Quarter Auction and
Vendor Fair
Daughters of Isabella Tailgate Sale
September
Sun 22
Sun 29
OLQP Quilt Social
Fall Festival
October
Sat 12
Harvest Moon Auction
On Monday, May 13, we will enjoy lunch
at O'Charley's (Gravois Bluffs) at 1:00 pm.
Hope to see everyone there.
Parish Activities
Mon
May 13
Tues
May 14
Wed
Thur
Sat
May 15
May 16
May 18
Sun
May 19
Last day PSR, 6:15 - 7:30 pm
Rosary for Peace, 7:30 pm, Church
Perpetual Devotions after 8 am Mass
Quilters, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Parish Council, 6:30 pm, Rectory
OLQP 8th grade Graduation
Choir Practice, 7:00 pm, Church
Preschool Graduation, 5:45 pm, Church
OLQP Golf Tournament
Blood Pressure Screening after Mass,
Cafeteria meeting room
Hospitality Sunday
Blood Pressure Screening after Masses,
Cafeteria meeting room
A couple of weeks ago, I informed the parish in my
Pastor’s column that the principal of our school, Renée
Chauvin, would be leaving at the end of this school
year. Renée came to our school three years ago under
some very difficult conditions and did a fantastic job
restoring order and organization to our school. She will
be sorely missed.
Shortly after Renée’s announcement, a Principal Search
Committee was established to find a new principal.
Unfortunately, we entered the search late in the game.
Almost all the principal candidates had already been
hired by other schools. Instead of rushing into a decision
that we might later regret, we decided to look for an
interim principal to lead our school next year. This
would give us some breathing room and allow us to be
ready when the principal candidates became available
for interviews early next year.
I am happy to announce that we have found someone
to be interim principal for the 2013-2014 school year. His
name is Curt Baker. Curt is currently the interim
principal at Holy Child School in Arnold and he also
teaches 8th grade.
I have invited Mr. Baker to come to a special meeting
on Monday evening, May 20th, at 6:30 pm. This meeting
will give our school families an opportunity to meet Curt
and get to know him. I have also invited Mr. Al
Winkelmann from the Archdiocesan Education Office to
come and talk about the Archdiocesan commitment to
our school and its future. I would like to thank Ms. Renée
Chauvin for her three years of commitment and
dedication to our school and I pray that the Lord will
bless all her future endeavors.
~fr. mike
Seventh Sunday of Easter
School News
Congratulations to Claire W. in 8th
grade! Out of 1,200 essays written on
the topic of abortion, hers was one of
the 115 chosen to be recognized by the
Archdiocese in a ceremony on April 24.
Here is a quote that was from Claire’s essay:
“If people know the facts about abortion,
learn to be chaste, and educate others, we
can help end abortion. Not only do we
want abortion abolished, but we want it
unthinkable.”
May 12, 2013
Youth Council News
Happy Mother's Day to all of our teens' Moms!
Hope Builders Collection
After all the Masses the weekend of
May 18th and 19th
We thank you in advance for your generous donation
that will allow our Hope Builders’ teams to help four
homeowners with much needed work this summer. We
are working the week of July 7th through the 11th.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped with the celebration
of Confirmation last Wednesday, May 8th, as thirty-five
8th grade youth were sealed with the Holy Spirit and
OLQP Preschool
Registration
Save your child a spot at OLQP
Preschool. Registration for the
2013-2014 school year has begun.
Contact Laura, 636-671-3062 (ask
for preschool), or email
[email protected] for
more information.
welcomed as full members of the Church. We thank the
parents of the youth, their sponsors, families, teachers,
the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Mr. Ellison and
the choir, our servers, the 7th graders who hosted the
reception, Gena Schmidt for taking pictures, the priests,
deacons, Monsignor Rivituso as well as all of you for
your prayers for our newly confirmed. It takes a parish
to help these newly confirmed feel welcomed as full
members of the Church.
Update Membership Information
Does our database have YOUR family membership
record correct?
Here is your chance to update YOUR record for our
annual Resource Book & Directory (if you haven’t
already done so).
It is time for us to update our database with any changes,
additions, or deletions that may have occurred in YOUR
family over the past year. Thank you if you have already
done this.
Have you changed your phone number? Have you
moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of
your children still at home and are they all included in
your membership record? Do you want your record
published?
If you have not already informed the Parish Office
about changes to your record, please let us know now so
that the information in the Guide Book & Directory is
correct.
You can reach the Parish Office, 636-671-3062, or email
[email protected].
Thank you for your help!!
Resource (Guide Book) and Directory
Advertising Opportunity
Guide Book Publishing (contracted by J S Paluch, our
bulletin company) will publish a Resource Book and
Directory for our parishioners that will be updated and
delivered directly to your home. This book will be the
Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of our
community. The book is being provided at no cost to our
Church. Local businesses are being solicited to advertise
in the book. If you own or manage a business and would
like to find out about advertising in our book, please call
the Parish Office, 636-671-3062.
Recent survey results by Guide Book Publishing show
that 92.1% of families would rather patronize a Guide
Book & Directory advertiser over a non-advertiser. It
“will pay” to advertise in our new Guide Book &
Directory.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Jogging for Jesus 5K
OLQP Grade School Run Club is hosting a 5K at Route
66 Park on the morning of June 8th. At this time, we are
looking for sponsors to donate $50 for a spot on the
T-Shirt. If you are interested in being a sponsor contact
Julia Enghauser ([email protected]) or
April Pieper ([email protected]). All proceeds
will benefit the school and parish.
Picnic Volunteer Sign up
After all Masses
May 11th through June 2nd
May 12, 2013
OLQP Blood Drive
June 27, 2 to 7 pm
Summer Blood Donors Needed
To be eligible to donate on June 27
you cannot donate elsewhere
after May 2nd.
Every two seconds this summer, someone will need
blood. You may never know who your donation helps,
but it might end up being your loved one, your friend,
a co-worker, or neighbor. You may forget how vital your
gift is, but each donation can help save up to three lives.
You may think your schedule is too busy to donate, it
only takes an hour. That one hour can mean all the
difference in the world to a child, a mother, father or
entire families.
Join in the fun at the parish picnic by volunteering. We
need your help to make this year’s Picnic (June 8th) a
huge success. Sign up online or after all the Masses
starting May 11th through June 2nd.
BINGO
Every Friday Night
Knights of Columbus Hall
Doors Open at 4:30 pm
Bingo starts at 6:45 pm
Everyone welcome!
St. Vincent de Paul
On behalf of our clients, the volunteers of
OLQP-SVDP appreciate the prayers and
resources you gave us to help those in
need. They are grateful for your contributions. Your
donations have helped 30 families in our area avoid
having their electric disconnected in March. May God
Bless you for your prayers and continued support.
OLQP-SVDP Volunteers
2013 Garden Tour
Sponsored by Cedar Hill Firefighter Auxiliary
June 2nd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Rain or Shine
Women ACTS Retreat
LaSalle Retreat Center
June 13 - 16
A faith filled weekend for women 18 years of age and
older. The retreat begins on Thursday, June 13, at 6:00 pm
and concludes on Sunday, June 16, after an 11:00 am
Mass and social hour.
The cost of the retreat is $225 (deposit of $75 required
with the application), sponsorship is available by calling
Jo Ann Cassidy, 636-938-6122.
The Cedar Hill Firefighter Auxiliary is sponsoring the
9th Annual Garden Tour. All proceeds will go to the
firefighters needs. It will be held rain or shine. All
gardens are very unique. Homeowners will be available
to answer any questions. This is an opportunity to
network with other gardeners, learn more about
gardening or just to enjoy the scenery. The gardens are
located 10 miles from 270 and Highway 30 going west .
Tickets are $10 each. For more information or to
purchase your tickets please call Linda Van Deven,
636-274-3891. Tickets may also be purchased the day of
the tour at the Cedar Hill Fire House and at each garden.
Watch for the Yellow signs.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 12, 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen
Church Cleaners Needed
We are in need of a few volunteers to join us in helping
to clean the Church. The work is not hard, just some
dusting, vacuuming, washing a few windows, etc. It
takes just an hour or so once every 5 weeks with a team
of 4 volunteers. If you can spare that time and help us
out, please call Joanne David, 636-274-0590.
Now Available on OLQP Website
OLQP Athletic Association
Golf Tournament
Deer Creek Golf Course
Saturday, May 18
8:00 am Check in Time
9:00 am Tee Time
4 man Scramble
$70 per person/$280 per team
Golf, breakfast, lunch, beer and soda included
Everyone is welcome
Please register no later than May 13th
contact Justin Larsen, 314-757-9169 or
email [email protected]
Did you know our parish has an online store where
you can find over 12,000 items ranging from gifts to
artwork and resources for problems such as Addiction,
Relationships, Parenting and more? Visit Parish
WebStore by simply clicking on the Parish WebStore
banner found on our parish website today!
Seven Days of Inspiration
Take one a day…
and feel great all week!
Thank You So Much!!
I wish to thank everyone for all the cards, wishes and
celebration for my 50th Ordination Anniversary. I really
appreciate all you have done.
Fr. Don
We would like to thank
Althoff Contacting
(parishioner Jim Althoff)
for advertising in our parish bulletin.
Because of his generosity we do not
pay for our bulletins to be printed.
Please patronize our advertisers and
thank them for supporting our parish.
Day 1
Angels are always
closer than you think!
Day 2
What a gift your
friendship is!
Day 3
You are important.
Day 4
Compliments about you?
They’re all true.
Day 5
This is your time
to dream!
Day 6
Take a day off
from stress!
Day 7
Trust yourself.
You know more than
you think you do.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 12, 2013
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS
May 12, 2013
CARDINAL RIGALI CENTER
20 ARCHBISHOP MAY DRIVE
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63119
P) 314.792.7841
F) 314.792.7842
ARCHSTL.ORG
OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP
World Communications Day
“Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith; Spaces for Evangelization”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our world is changing rapidly, but thankfully Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While the
TRUTH never changes, our communications must be constantly advancing if we want to be heard in a noisy and
fallen world. The archdiocesan Office of Communications and Planning is dedicated to these efforts as a matter of
Catholic mission.
Today being World Communications Day, I am making a personal appeal for your support of the Catholic
Communication Campaign. The annual offertory collection is in parishes next Sunday, May 19, 2013. You
can help us make an even stronger impact in proclaiming the Gospel.
Did you know…
 Our archdiocesan website (www.archstl.org) was voted “Best Diocesan Website in North America” in 2012?
 We have our own YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/archstlmedia) with over 100 videos to share the Good
News with Catholics in our archdiocese and beyond?
 We challenged the federal HHS mandate with a Campaign for Religious Liberty (commercial, billboards, bumper
stickers, yard signs)?
 We delivered the Gospel on Fresh 102.5’s “The Christmas Station” throughout Advent last year?
 We worked with local media to televise and cover the passing of baseball legend Stan Musial?
 We provided extensive coverage and commentators to local media during the papal conclave?
 We offer TV Mass and missals for the homebound?
There is much work to be done in 2013! The Archdiocese of St. Louis is facing a great many challenges with
regard to Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. The bishops have already issued a “Call to Prayer” and we
anticipate many opportunities to evangelize in the months ahead. Would you prayerfully consider making a
donation to the Catholic Communication Campaign on May 19?
Please know that you and your family are in `my prayers today and always.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
Scan here for more information
and to donate online!
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 12, 2013
CARDINAL RIGALI CENTER
20 ARCHBISHOP MAY DRIVE
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63119
P) 314.792.7841
F) 314.792.7842
ARCHSTL.ORG
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS
OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP
April 30, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to inform you that a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor in the late 1970s has recently been
made against Reverend Leroy Valentine. Father Valentine has been removed from priestly ministry in accordance
with The Charter for Protection of Children and Young People and Archdiocesan Pastoral Policies. He resides in a
secure and monitored facility in St. Louis. Father Valentine’s priestly assignments in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
were as follows:
May 25, 1977 Church of the Immacolata
June, 2, 1981 Mary, Queen of Peace, Webster Groves
April, 14, 1982 Saint Pius X, Glasgow Village
March 5, 1984 Saint Gabriel the Archangel
June 22, 1988 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Louis
June 14, 1994 Saint Joseph, Farmington
September 5, 1994 Pastor, Sacred Heart, Elsberry
October 4, 1999 Associate Pastor, Saint Thomas the Apostle, Florissant
Anyone who wishes to make a report of the sexual abuse of a minor by Father Valentine or by any other priest,
deacon or employee of the Archdiocese of St. Louis may contact Deacon Phil Hengen, Director of Child and
Youth Protection, Archdiocese of St. Louis at 314 792-7704 or [email protected]. Reports may also be made
to the Missouri Division of Social Services Child Abuse Hotline for allegations involving a person who is
currently under the age of 18, or to civil authorities for allegations involving a person who is now an adult, but
was abused as a minor.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
Seventh Sunday of Easter
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Our next Eucharistic Adoration is
Wednesday, May 29,
from 1:00 am – 8:00 pm.
May 12, 2013
Our Gi s to God and Parish
Special Collections
Catholic Communications
$
40.00
New Building Fund
Lavender Envelopes
Total Received to date
Wanted: Cook and/or
Housekeeper
IL RITIRO Franciscan Retreat is
looking for a person to assist in
preparing meals. That person would
also be responsible for cleaning the
kitchen and dining room and
purchasing food and supplies.
A second position that is available is for a person to
assist in housekeeping. This position could be combined
with the cook’s position, if desired.
Both positions are best suited for a student or retired
person who does not need full time employment or
benefits. If you are interested in being part of this
ministry please contact Fr. Paul, 636-274-0554 or
[email protected].
$
341.00
$ 745,462.93
Offertory
Sunday Envelopes
Sunday Loose
Above and Beyond
Ascension
Flowers
Present and Future
Total Offertory
Offertory Goal
$ 12,382.00
$
1,463.00
$
52.00
$
117.00
$
25.00
$
421.00
$ 14,460.00
$ 16,500.00
Thank you for your generosity.
1,113 registered members
224 online, loose and envelopes used this week
As of May 6, 2013
Contributions Year To Date
Projected Year to Date Budget
$ 573,155.44
$ 742,500.00
Scrip Gift Cards
Sales
Profits/tuition reduction
Memorial Fundraiser For
Cancer Research
The 7th Annual Pizza Shack Fundraiser in memory of
Gary David will be held Saturday, June 1st, at the Pizza
Shack Restaurant in St. Clair (130 Hwy AB at the service
road).
This year’s Cruising for a Cure Poker Run will begin
at Fast Eddies Bonair in Alton, IL and end at the Pizza
Shack. Registration begins at 10:30 am. All cars, trucks
and motorcycles welcome. The grand prize of a 2013
Camaro will be awarded for a Royal Flush. Food, fun,
50/50’s, prizes and raffles are also included at the
restaurant throughout the day until 8:00 pm. So come out
for a good time even if you do not cruise for the Poker
Run. All proceeds will go to the Cancer Research at the
Siteman Cancer Center. For more information, please call
Joanne David, 636-274-0590, or to register by May 11th
and receive a free commemorative T-Shirt, call Brian
David, 636-938-3263. Entry fee is $25.00.
You may also go on Facebook and search for Pizza
Shack Cruising for a Cure.
$
$
2,245.00
83.07
Scrip Gift Cards are available in the Parish Office from
8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and every
weekend after Mass.
Stewardship
Start With Prayer
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the
beginning and the end.”
Revelations 22:13
These words from the last chapter of the Bible are a
final reminder for us to put God first in our lives, in all
that we do. Putting God first doesn’t mean giving until it
hurts. It means giving until we are filled with joy and
contentment. This usually means giving more
generously, not less. Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 12, 2013
Mass Intentions
Please pray for those who are ill
(parishioners are in bold)
Audrey Hastings
Paul McDonnell
Joyce Stenger
Shirley Bokern
Ray Wieschhaus
Vi Hoeft
Leonard Hirtz
Dot Hirtz
Greg Hirtz
Scott Beck
Glenda Clayton
Vicky Duckworth
Jackie Helbig
Ellen O’Brien
Ed Kelemen
Patsy Boyer
Ellen O’Brien
Regina Maria Parker, sister of Michael Chiodini
Donna Lee Sprinkle, sister of Michael Chiodini
Barry Ritter, son-in-law of Joella Ketcherside
John O’Donnell, father of Dennis O’Donnell
Edward Carley, father of Mark Carley
Braeden Denton, friend of Inger Krieg
Janet Purneau, friend of Betty Oermann
Shayna Painter-Jones, granddaughter of Eunice Jones
Glenn Browning, father of Tamara Hamel
Blake Michael Chiodini, son of Michael Chiodini
Jennie Barnes, aunt of Angie Henning
Joe Politte, brother-in-law of Ken DeClue
Carolyn Jordan, niece of Vi Hoeft
Allen Chott, nephew of Judy Mottert
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Bernice Dierks
Deacon Tom Murphy
Tracy Creighton
Fr. Donald Molitor Intentions
Msgr. Jerry Wilkerson
Herman Wieschhaus
Lammert Family Intentions
Jim Vess Sr.
People of the Parish
May 18th and 19th
Special Ministers of the Eucharist
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
7 needed
7 needed
*Bruce Gallion, 6 needed
*Tom Ecker, 6 needed
* You are responsible to clean the vessels after Mass
~those serving in the military, the homebound, shut-ins
of the parish and all in nursing homes. To add a name
please call the Parish Office, 671-3062. Names will be
removed after 3 weeks.
Proclaimers
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Al Schuld, Mary Ann Turek
Ann Riley, 1 needed
Vicki De Long, Maria Webb
Margaret Gerling, Tom Mattingly
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Daniel O’Donnell, Gracie Ryan, Dylan Werner
Zachary Morlock, Sabrina/Tabetha Otzenberger
Jazzmynn Aleman, Jack Groppe, Sophia Kershaw
Kaitlyn Esch, Sophia Scanlon, Samantha Tarter
5:00 pm
Donna Clifton, Bart Heinzer, Jeff Heibeck,
Pat Hoskins, Helen Stewart, Dixie Garrett
Jerry Terry, Doug Bjornstad, Steve Morlock,
Gerald Bachmann, Jeff Eschbach, Larry Lammert
Jerry Sheets, Dale Sudholt, Steve Freihaut,
Tom Mattingly, Larry Whitworth, Trish Larsen
David Witt, Larry Bottchen, John Holmes,
David Holmes, Kevin Huss, Paul McDonnell
Servers
Ushers
7:30 am
9:30 am
Parish Office email
[email protected]
OLQP Web Site
www.olqpparish.org
submit articles for bulletin
[email protected]
Deadline Friday at 4:30 pm
(9 days before publication)
11:30 am
May 17
Carol Delue,
Mary Ann Whitecotton
and Darleen Allmeroth
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Eighth Sunday after Easter
Feast of the Pentecost
Cycle C
THEME: The Spirit Unites Us
On Pentecost, the Season of Easter draws to a close and
we move into Ordinary Time, the time of the Church, our
time. Pentecost itself celebrates the beginning of the
work of the Church. The followers of Jesus,
commissioned by Him to be His witnesses to the ends of
the earth, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their
mission. On Pentecost we are reminded again and
dedicate ourselves again to our task of caring for the
needs of others and bringing God’s offer of love and
reconciliation to all the world.
THE READINGS:
FIRST READING: Acts 2:1-11
The first reading for Pentecost Sunday is Luke’s account
of the coming of the Holy Spirit from Acts of the
Apostles. The description of the mighty wind and the
tongues of fire make it clear that Luke views the coming
of the Spirit as a demonstration of the power of God. The
description recalls Old Testament theophanies –
manifestations of God in His power for the sake of His
people.
In Luke’s conception, the miracle of Pentecost is that
all people, whatever their languages or backgrounds,
could understand the apostles. What we have to offer as
witnesses to Jesus does not depend on human words
and human language, but on the presence of the Spirit in
our lives. If we live the message of Jesus Christ, if we
adhere to His command of love, what we have to offer
others within the believing community, what the believing
community has to offer to the world will be obvious. The
Spirit will create unity out of diversity.
May 12, 2013
SECOND READING A: I Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
The first option for the second reading is taken from
Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s message to
the Corinthian community is a meditation on the effects of
the Holy Spirit in the life of the believing community.
Disunity was a problem in the Corinth. Some were
claiming that special gifts and abilities were the true signs
of membership and the possession of the Spirit. Against
this, Paul stresses that there are many gifts, that each
member of the community has something to offer, that all
the diverse gifts are given by the same Holy Spirit for the
building up of the community. Paul preaches that God’s
offer of salvation and His gift of the Spirit to enliven the
believing community, is not intended to reduce all to one,
but rather to build up the community, to forge a unity out
of a diversity of talents, abilities, and gifts. Diversity and
diverse gifts and contributions are not meant to be a
means of separating people, but of creating a unity
characterized by a richness of human experience, a
richness of expressions, a richness of human talents and
contributions, a richness of the Spirit’s gifts poured on all
for the sake of all.
SECOND READING B: Romans 8:8-17
The alternate second reading for the Feast of
Pentecost in Cycle C is taken from Paul’s Letter to the
Romans. Paul’s correspondence to the community in
Rome in a presentation of his basic teachings to a
community he had not established but hoped to visit. In
today’s passage, Paul sketches the dichotomy between
flesh and Spirit and puts forth his theology of the
Spirit. Through the presence of the Spirit in the lives of
individuals and in the life of the believing community we
become sons and daughters of God, our Father, co-heirs
with Jesus Christ in the eternal life God offers to us. Life
in the Spirit is a new life, a life freed from the concerns
and impulses of the flesh. Again, Paul stresses that by
ourselves, with human works – the works of the Law – we
can do nothing to please God; we cannot effect a
reconciliation with God and earn salvation. This is God’s
free gift to us in making us His sons and daughters
through the gift of the Spirit. For Paul, then, the gift of the
Spirit is not a one time event that begins the mission of
the Church, but an abiding presence in the community of
believers that enables us to live not for the flesh but for
God. Through the abiding presence of the Spirit within
the believing community, we find that presence of God
among our brothers and sisters and living for God entails
living for the good of each other.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
GOSPEL READING A: John 20:19-23
The Gospel for Pentecost is John’s account of the first
resurrection appearance to the gathered disciples. In His
death and resurrection, for John, Jesus is glorified by His
Father. His glorification brings His earthly mission to a
close. In this resurrection appearance, Jesus
commissions His disciples, He sends them just as the
Father had sent Him. They are to proclaim a forgiveness
of sin, a reconciliation of people with God that has been
definitively accomplished in Jesus Christ. Here is the
new creation. At the beginning, God breathed on the
world to bring creation into being. Now Jesus breathes
on the disciples, imparts to them God’s Spirit, to begin
the new creation, the creation of a world at one with the
Father through Jesus Christ, the Son who revealed the
Father.
GOSPEL READING B: John 14:15-16, 23-26
The alternate Gospel reading in Cycle C is taken from the
beginning of the Farewell Discourse in John’s Gospel.
As Jesus prepares for the moment of His glorification,
He instructs His disciples on how they should live in His
absence. The heart of the instruction is His command
that His followers should live their love for Jesus, their
intimate relationship with Him by following His
commands. Throughout His earthly life Jesus formed His
disciples as ministers of God’s revealing word, as those
who will reveal God’s presence by sharing the life of God
within them just as Jesus had done. What John suggests
at the beginning of the Farewell Discourse is that the
reception of God’s Spirit, the dwelling of the Spirit of God
within the Christian community depends on living a
loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
The readings for Pentecost speak to us of our
partnership with God. Jesus reveals to us His Father and
engages us in a loving relationship. Responding to that
offer of love and following Jesus in His saving work
makes it possible for God’s Spirit to dwell within us. That
Spirit of God dwelling within us enlivens us, brings us
new life and enables us to be sons and daughters of the
Father, co-heirs with Jesus Christ. That Spirit dwelling
within us, if we cooperate with it, accomplishes God’s will
for reconciliation and salvation for all people.
Again, all relationships are two-sided. The Feast of
Pentecost celebrates the establishment of God’s
on-going relationship with us in the new age of the
Church, the age inaugurated by the Incarnation and
mission of Jesus Christ, the age guided by the Spirit, the
age that will culminate in the final establishment of the
Kingdom of God, the establishment of the effects of
God’s will and love for all people.
FOR REFLECTION:
 What is my role in the Church in carrying on the
May 12, 2013
work and mission of Jesus? How does the Holy
Spirit empower me to carry out my role?
 What has been my experience of spreading the
Word of God, of carrying on the mission of Jesus
despite my weaknesses and limitations? Is what
God has to offer to the world obvious in the way I
live my life?
 The presence of God's Spirit as an abiding
presence within the Church can and should bring
unity out of diversity? In my experience of the
Church, is unity created out of diversity? In my
experience as a Christian, do I accept diversity and
seek unity with people of different backgrounds,
people with different opinions and
approaches to life?
 In His resurrection and return to His Father, Jesus
commissions His followers to be a means of
forgiveness and reconciliation. As a follower of
Jesus, how am I a means of forgiveness and
reconciliation for others?
 As the Easter Season draws to a close and we
enter into the time of the Church, the believing
community, what do I consider to be my partnership
with God? What can I do to effectively live that
partnership?