RE NEWS

Faith Reflection

John 14:15-16. 23-26 - The Father will send you an Advocate.

The feast of Pentecost celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples and energising them to set about their mission of continuing the ministry of Jesus. The gospel reading is one of the post-resurrection appearances by Jesus when he breathed the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The actual events of that first Pentecost are recorded in the book of Acts and are recalled in this week’s first reading. The use of this post-resurrection gospel account is a reminder that Jesus had already imbued the disciples with the Spirit but, as so often throughout his ministry, they were a bit slow to catch on to the significance of what he had done. It seems that they needed a more tangible experience to jolt them into action and Acts records the very physical experience of the Spirit entering their midst as a roaring wind before settling upon them as tongues of flame. Jesus had breathed the Spirit upon them but it took the roaring wind to make a real impression on the disciples. There are frequent references in the gospels to Jesus being ‘filled with the Spirit’. It is this Spirit with which he was filled that he breathed upon his disciples; it is that same Spirit that we receive sacramentally in Confirmation.

For the weeks following the death of Jesus the disciples had lived in fear and confusion, not fully understanding what had happened and not really knowing what to do. When they realised that the Spirit Jesus had breathed upon them was really present and urging them to action they finally had the courage to begin the mission that Jesus had entrusted to them: to spread the Good News of Jesus and continue to realise his message in the world.

Historical Context – Pentecost

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek for fiftieth day. Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter and comes as a Sabbath day after seven weeks of seven days. In Jewish tradition the 50th day after the Passover was celebrated as a blessing of the harvest and rather than the unleavened bread of Passover it was celebrated by leavening the bread. It was for this reason that the disciples were gathered together when they experienced the Holy Spirit empowering them. In Christian tradition, Pentecost is celebrated as the arrival of the Spirit, promised by Jesus, that animated the disciples to spread the gospel of Jesus and gather believers to form what would eventually become the Church.

Have you thought? The Spirit

We can sometimes regard Pentecost as the day the Holy Spirit came into the world. However, the Spirit had long been active in the world before this event. In fact, even the second verse of Genesis Chapter 1 tells us that the Spirit hovered over the waters. The Old Testament is filled with references in which ‘The Spirit of God came upon (him) with power’ and the Spirit was evident at Jesus’ baptism and throughout the gospels. Jesus is frequently described as being ‘filled with the Spirit’. So, from the very beginning of creation the Spirit has moved in the world and continues to energise it today.

Living the Gospel – Come, Holy Spirit

‘Come, Holy Spirit’, or its Latin, Veni Sante Spiritus, has become the basis of countless prayers and hymns over many hundreds of years. To this day, it remains a powerful invocation that can be used in prayer or meditation. Three simple words convey a wealth of meaning. The invitation for the Spirit to ‘Come’ indicates recognition of the need for the Spirit’s intervention and openness to accept the guidance that the Spirit brings. It is a powerful, simple prayer that can be used at the outset of any significant undertaking or whenever you find yourself in need of inspiration.

By Greg Sunter 

Class Masses 

The Vibrant Parish Formation 

St John Vianney Parish is excited to invite you to our upcoming Vibrant Parish Formation Series – a dynamic journey designed to deepen our parish life.

Come for one Tuesday each month for engaging sessions featuring local and international guest speakers who will guide us in exploring the five essential characteristics of a vibrant parish:Worship • Evangelisation • Formation • Fellowship • Service

Session Dates (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM):

• Tuesday, 13th May
• Tuesday, 10th June
• Tuesday, 1st July
• Tuesday, 12th August
• Tuesday, 9th September

If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office at st.john.vianney.mulgrave@gmail.com 

Sacraments 2025 – Confirmation & First Holy Communion

St John Vianney Parish is preparing for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in 2025. 

Confirmation

📅 Sacrament of Confirmation: Sunday 17th August at 1:00 PM

First Holy Communion

📅 Information Sessions: Tuesday 5th August at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM

📅 Sacrament of Holy Communion : 15-16 & 22- 23 November at 6pm and 10am