Listening to Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” the other day, I couldn’t help but think about occurrences of the Spirit throughout Sacred Scripture.  From the time Cain asked “Am I my brother’s keeper?,” all the way to today’s issues in the Church, sacred and otherwise, we have witnessed the Holy Spirit within the Body of Christ.  The spirit of God has been imbued upon men and women ever since Moses spoke to the burning bush and Abraham worshiped God at Manasseh.  To be sure, God continues to inject Himself into human history again and again.  The Holy Spirit gives the Church, and all who belong to the Body of Christ, the courage and capacity to proclaim the Good News.
 
In the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium, we call to mind that we are members of the people of God.  If we then belong to the Body of Christ, then we are called to proclaim Christ Jesus wherever we find ourselves.  The mission and ministry of the Church are to be disciples always throughout our lives having received the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Through this same Spirit the Church and all who worship in Spirit and in Truth are perfected in the image of Jesus Christ.
 
Lumen Gentium makes clear to us that it is not only the clergy and religious who are called to a life of holiness, but all men and women.  This unique call requires from us a unique response.  Our answer to God is a life of faithfulness and charity.  In our post-modern world which seems to offer sin and confusion, we can offer reconciliation, peace, and hope to a complex and fast-paced society.  There is no doubt that there is a hunger for God and holiness in our world today.  The faithful disciple takes on the responsibility of feeding and nourishing the vast amount of folks who seem to be like sheep without a shepherd.  We accomplish this through our gifts and charismas received through the Spirit.
 
The parish community is where people of faith experience the Church.  So our worship and prayer, faith formation, pastoral care of families, the sick and the elderly and social outreach, all need to convey that we are members of the Body of Christ.  Acts 2:42 expresses this beautiful image of a faith community “devoted … to the apostle’s instruction and the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  Likewise then those who are baptized, confirmed, and have received the Eucharist are to be the ministers of the Good News, and are to unite themselves to Christ Jesus and all of the faithful.
 
Our work in the parish community is a response to the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we share in the work of the Church, we are really sharing in the ministries bestowed upon our faith community through the Spirit.  This communion is most evident in how we respond to the various needs and concerns which confront us, and do so in a manner of charity and love.  All that we do is done to build up the Body of Christ and so revealing the Kingdom of God.
 
There are many bright lights and loud noises around us trying to attract our attention.  The sign and symbol we ought to connect ourselves to is that of the Paschal Mystery which, through the Holy Spirit, makes us partakers of life in Christ.  May this same Holy Spirit bring to completion in us, and the Church, the good works which God has begun.
 
Fr.  Kenneth J. Anderson

As per cemetery policy, in April on cemetery clean-up day (before Mother's Day) we remove all ornamental flowers and other decorations from the grave sites. This year clean-up day was Saturday, May 4. Also this year, per diocesan regulations, we have removed all shepherd's hooks (aka hanging plant hangers). These hooks present a danger to those visiting and especially to those maintaining the cemetery. All items removed have been placed next to the maintenance garage. They will remain there for two weeks at which time they will be discarded. If you wish to save any of these items, please pick them up this week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Understanding & Promoting the Catholic Church's Teaching on Marriage