The Bishop Writes

(From the May 21, 1998 edition of the Inland Register)

We celebrate Pentecost this year on May 31. This feast of the birthday of the Church reminds us of those days of the apostles and disciples when they received the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised. The unusual events surrounding the coming of the Holy Spirit for these first followers of the Savior are well known to us. The tongues of flame and the strong wind in the room marked a significant moment in their lives. Perhaps even more importantly the events happening afterwards were more spectacular.

They spoke in many different languages. Their courage and strength in proclaiming and living the Gospel were much in evidence. The modern diversity of our Church with its many different languages and cultural diversities reflects the Pentecost experience in the Acts of the Apostles. They were Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocea, Pontus, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, and even Rome. St. Luke described the experience well: "They were dumbfounded and could make nothing at all of what had happened."

The mystery of what happened then as God touched his people is no less the mystery of our Church today as we strongly believe that the Holy Spirit continues to come and touch and impact our lives profoundly. We all like to understand and know, to have all the strings tied down, to be assured that we will be successful. Yet, the faith journey must be one of moving into the future, unknown to us but deeply trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Providence of God unfolds.

Today we also know the work of the Holy Spirit and celebrate the gift. The Second Vatican Council is certainly a sign of the Spirit’s work. The impact of the council is still being felt within the Church and probably will be for some time to come. Jesus promised to the apostles that the Holy Spirit would come and teach them everything. All of us continue to be taught and undergo conversion of heart as the Holy Spirit guides us. Sometimes we get impatient that the Church or the personal lives of people aren’t moving fast enough to our satisfaction or expectations. Yet God continues to surprise us in our day just as the conversion of St. Paul in apostolic times must have been a shock to the people then.

This is Confirmation season as I move about the diocese celebrating with the various parish communities. I find our children and young people taking the sacrament seriously. Families and parishioners gather in celebrations that are joyful and deeply touching. This year in my homily, I am focusing on the gift received and the stewardship and responsibility we have in being open to and using the gift. St. Paul reminds us that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The better we use our gifts, the more peaceful we will be and the better the community will be as we generously share. If we are not open to the gift of the Spirit in our hearts, then both we and the community will be less rich because of that lack of response.

We can also be mindful of how the Holy Spirit has worked in our midst as a diocesan community over the years. We think of the early missionaries and families who came here to join the First Americans, clearly a sign of the Spirit. In more recent times, we observe the tremendous development of lay ministries and the outreach of the Church in serving brothers and sisters in need. The missions of Catholic education and health care have been and are being passed on to the laity. Even with the number of Religious women and men in previous decades, there wouldn’t be a sufficient number to staff our institutions of learning and health care today.

On June 6 at Bishop White Seminary, I will celebrate the installation as lector for 12 candidates for the diaconate as they prepare for ordination. The restoration of the diaconate has been a great sign once again of the movement of the Spirit in many parts of the world. The theology of the diaconate continues to deepen and be refined given our experience in the Church. Also, in June we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ordination of the first deacons in the diocese. Their presence has certainly been a grace and blessing.

This year of 1998 has been designated by Pope John Paul II as the year of the Holy Spirit as we prepare for the millennium. We have the fortunate opportunity to reflect on the action of Holy Spirit within the Church and in our own lives. During this year especially, we can be in touch with that gift with which we have been sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. As we face the future together as Church, we should not allow ourselves to be enslaved by fear or the darkness about us at times, but rather deeply believe that the Holy Spirit will watch over us and lead us to the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. Faith and trust must be our guides as we go our pilgrim way.

May God bless you and give you peace. A blessed Pentecost!

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