May 22-23, 2010
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11 Corinthians 12:3-13 John 20:19-23
While everyone born in the United States is entitled to certain ‘inalienable rights’…there are also a lot of privileges…not rights…that come with attainment of certain qualifications, standards or simply age. At 17 one can get a drivers license, at least in California. At 18, one can vote, sign contracts, be counted as an adult…and potentially be called upon for national military service…but probably still not be able to rent a car! At 21 one can legally purchase alcohol and not face legal issues if drinking normal amounts of the stuff. One is granted a diploma after completing the academic standards of High School or College, etc. etc.
Each of these accomplishments marks an important life transition for the individual. In the same way, Pentecost not only brings the Easter Season to a close, it commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this ethereal thing called ‘The Church’ that has enabled us to grow, mature and become self-aware throughout the centuries. With the creative, empowering yet mysterious gifts of the Holy Spirit the earliest disciples were able to go forth and speak of their relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, how they had come to recognize him as The Christ…and accept him as the physical/mystical presence of God amongst us. Corpus Christi Catholic-Christian Community exists precisely because of the graces of the Holy Spirit compelling people to add their energy, ideas and individual spirits so that our parish can grow and thrive. This weekend’s Ministry Fair is an opportunity for all of our family members to once again consider the responsibilities and pride of ownership. As it is said, ‘To those to whom much is given….much is expected.’ We are the beneficiaries of all those who have gone before us… in the bigger picture of the Church of the Diocese of Orange…and also of those who have struggled to create a parish where prior to 1999 one did not exist.
As we continue to grow and look toward an eventual completion of our permanent church we also build and develop the ministries and programs by which we are nourished and woven together as a family. How might YOU claim a more active and vital part within our ministries/groupings/outreaches? A parish IS NOT a spiritual gas station where we anonymously pull in, fill up and leave. A Parish IS a place where we encounter the LIVING PRESENCE of Jesus within each other…sometimes messy, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sublime. The power and grace of Pentecost propels us not into isolation but into the challenges of human interactions with each other, with those who are not like us, with those who frighten us, with those who reject us and with those who will challenge the sincerity of our discipleship. It is time to draw close to the Pentecost flame, to catch fire, to come alive, to be renewed….to help transform the face of the earth…and a good manageable place to start is right here in our own backyard….Corpus Christi!
Thank you for sharing this weekend with us, please accept a Bulletin on your way home. As you arrived you had to take note of the assorted booths representing all of our parish groups, ministries and outreaches. After Mass, please take some time to meander and consider how you may wish to become more active within Corpus Christi. Please note that our parish policy is that all of our volunteers (and paid staff) will be fingerprinted (for which we pay) and must complete the Diocesan Safe Environment Program.
Also, some of the ministries, have particular Church mandated qualifications: such as those who serve as Eucharistic Ministers, if married, must be married within the CATHOLIC CHURCH. Next weekend we will commemorate those who have given their lives in sacrifice for our nation on Memorial Day weekend…and the week after that is our 11th Anniversary as the PARISH of Corpus Christi….we can still use some help with our champagne receptions following each Mass….please see the Bulletin for details. As the Pentecost fire energizes you, remember, you are loved. FKB
