May 15 has been an important day for all of my 57 years of life. My parents were married on this day in 1954. I will offer Mass for their souls. When Easter comes early, like this year, the day also can be the day the church celebrates Pentecost.
Happy birthday church! For 49 days we heard the wonderful stories of the risen Christ appearing to many. Many rejoiced, even the Disciples, and yet where did they spent most of their time? In the locked room. They could not overcome their fears after watching, from a distance for most, Christ crucified on the cross at Calvary.
The Father and Son united after the Ascension and sent forth the power of the Holy Spirit down upon these servants and upon the whole church. The power of the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit finally gave the remaining Apostles the courage to “unlock” the door to their fears. With grace and confidence, possessing the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, piety, awe, counsel and courage, they boldly went forth to evangelize the “Good News.” They would bear fruit by producing many of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as they shared charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Now the church, the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ, would begin to be formed calling forth the baptized to live in the power of the Spirit, in union with all the baptized; each sharing their gifts, which when brought together would create growth in the early church.
Over the last 18 months, I have been meeting with hundreds of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois who are discerning the invitation to become an “intentional disciple” and to embrace “discipleship as a way of life.” I have recently visited and prayed with many of our parishes including Riverton, Rochester, Chatham, Benld, Gillespie, Quincy, Ashland, Altamont, Edgewood, St. Elmo, Farmersville, Morrisonville and Raymond. Whether preaching at weekend Masses, or offering a mission night, I have met some “spirit-filled” lay leaders who are genuinely excited about this new vision for our diocese. On May 1, I met with approximately 35 faith-filled parishioners from Altamont, Edgewood and St. Elmo with their new pastor, Father Marek Kasperczuk. They are so excited to be blessed with his priestly ministry, and one could sense the enthusiasm they had as they came forth to pledge their gift of stewardship to bring this vision to their three rural parishes. It was so cool to see this all happening. They are such great folks, and their pastor is such a strong, loving leader. For sure, Pentecost is truly awakening minds, hearts and souls of leaders in these parishes.
I have visited the Diocese of Wichita, and have seen the fire that has been caught and harvested into true discipleship. I was overwhelmed by all that I experienced as I was invited into the life and spirit-infused dynamism one can feel in the worship, evangelization and daily life of this diocese. We know they are blessed with our native son Bishop Carl Kemme. Oh my, is he blessed by becoming shepherd of a “Dynamic Catholic” (of which Matthew Kelly speaks) diocese.
We must be patient, and we must pray, discern, listen, and enter a journey of conversion on our diocese’s way to embracing fully “discipleship as a way of life.” This call is to accept Christ’s invitation to live a true “Gospel model” of discipleship/stewardship. The Good News that the first Apostles at Pentecost were commissioned to “go and preach” is still the Word that empowers and inspires us to do the same.
A new and powerful Pentecost is on our horizon, and the flames of the fire which we received at confirmation are going to be stirred to action in powerful ways soon. I’m “pumped,” as are our bishop, clergy and consecrated men and women. I assure you, many of our laity in our parishes are already on fire and ready to “bring this vision home.” It is going to be awesome!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit, and they shall be recreated, and you shall renew the face of the earth. This is a great prayer, but more so a great promise of what is on the horizon in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Happy birthday to our entire diocese. Happy birthday to you!