Fr. Bill's Weekly Message for Pentecost, 5/18/97

Dear Parishioners:

Today, May 18, we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. We celebrate the gift of the Spirit upon the Apostles and others including the Blessed Mother. It is the same Spirit we were given in Confirmation and Baptism.

We ought to pray every day for the openness to hear the Spirit of God. He is a Spirit of adoption, a Spirit of love, reaching into our hearts and souls to enliven us, to fill us with enthusiasm and joy. The fruits of the Spirit are, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

We are a Spirit filled people and we should act as if we truly have one foot in this world and one foot in the kingdom to come. The Spirit will lead you and me to a unity with the Father and Jesus. We should never underestimate the power of God to work in our lives.

Last week I received a letter from Bishop Fiorenza that we will be assigned a new parochial vicar at the end of July. Parochial vicars are assigned to a parish as an assistant to the pastor. We will have three priests assigned to care for the spiritual needs of the parish.

Father Kenneth Heberlein will begin his assignment on July 30th. We welcome Father to STM. Originally from Canada, he has served the Church as a hospital chaplain for the past several years. He is desirous to move into parish ministry. STM will be an exciting place for him to do this.

I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that a parish supports their priests by prayer, sacrifice, and involvement. Father Heberlein will give us an opportunity to give greater service to the parishioners. I know he will see in STM's people an example of Christ. I am confident that we will also be able to increase our Sunday collections to give him the financial support needed.

The Diocese is in the process of establishing a special ministry to priests of the diocese. This priest will be a spiritual director as well as program director for priests of the diocese. This summer four seminarians will live in the house while they do their CPE at area hospitals.

If you would like to make a donation to help stock the house with linens, towels, etc., please send a check made out to STM. We would like to make the house a comfortable residence for our priests and seminarians.

Please keep all us priests and seminarians in your prayers. Your support helps us to experience the love of God in our lives.

God bless,



Fr. Bill


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