Fr. Mike’s Communication for June 5 2022

 Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022

Come Holy Spirit!

~ Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus

 

Brothers and Sisters,

“Oh, let’s go fly a kite / Up to the highest height / Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring…” The uplifting music from the film Mary Poppins is a cherished childhood memory of mine. The “idea” of building a kite and having hours of fun flying it in the air was thrilling. To be honest, the experience of prepping and getting my rig to fly could be frustrating. More often than not, my plastic kite would rip or tear during assembly. Then when flying, getting the proper lift was difficult. Still, when finally airborne, keeping it clear of trees in the neighborhood was no easy feat. I think back to all the times as a kid my kite became snared on a wayward branch and the resulting frustration. Let’s just say I never experienced the unbridled kite-flying success Mary Poppin’s two charges experienced in the movie.

It seems one thing is certain in kite flying, as in life, our struggles, obstacles, and snares will be numerous. And like the early disciples, we want to know how to get our lives to fly smoothly. That’s when we must say, “Come Holy Spirit, Come! ” Help us, Lord, get up each time we falter. Show us how to put our priorities in order and establish strong spiritual habits. We are all human; at times, we may feel as flimsy as a kite and at the whims of chance for a disaster. And at times, we may question our disappointments, allowing ourselves to wonder if these setbacks are punishment for our disobedience. Or even still if God is abandoning us because of unfaithfulness. In times of doubt, I want you to be assured of God’s enduring faithfulness and desire to guide us through our snares and struggles to realize a purpose-filled life. His Spirit, our Advocate, is always with us, leading us on the path our Lord intended for each of us. Our Parish engaged in the Pentecost Novena this past week, imploring the Holy Spirit to guide and sanctify our Church and us. To that end, our Diocese and the entire Church have been listening to the promptings of the Spirit during the Synod. By engaging all the faithful through the Synodal process, the Church is better able to ride the graces of the Spirit.

We need your presence, participation, and prayers! To be a healthy parish, we have to remain committed to listening in prayer to the Spirit at work. Our Good Shepherd Chapel remains dedicated to adoring the Lord and praying for vocations. There is always room for more Adorers to commit to an hour of prayer each week. Perhaps your schedule does not allow for committed Adoration, but I still encourage you to take advantage of quiet time with the Lord any time of day. Encounter Him, and He will invite you into a deeper relationship with Him!

Are you trying to figure out your place or role in the Church? Christians are called to ongoing discernment, allowing God to reveal our unique identity and giftedness and respond to a particular Life and service — a vocation. Engaged, dating or married couples can participate in our upcoming Marriage Retreat: United as One (sign up at olphparish.org/united, as the deadline is Monday, June 6). Our forthcoming Life in the Spirit Seminar, happening on the weekend of June 17-18, aims to help participants appreciate the Spirit at work in their lives and gain confidence in asking for our supernatural Advocate’s guidance and support. Get registered for this dynamic event with Nationally recognized speakers by visiting olphparish.org/life-in-the-spirit.

Let’s make this a season of renewal in the Parish – as we aim to assist all parishioners in having an encounter with the Lord and appreciating the role they have in the Body of Christ. We’ll conclude our Year of the Eucharist, where we focus on the Lord Jesus’ presence in the Word, the Faithful, in the Presider, and the Eucharist, with a Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ on Sunday, June 19 after the 11 am Mass. Please let us know if you’ll be attending the procession by clicking here. Thank you for taking the time to sign up, which helps us be good hosts, ensuring there will be enough food for the social following the procession.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

 

Some considerations:

  • Important Notice Regarding OLPH Outdoor Sunday 11 am Mass – Please note, that our last regular offering of Outdoor Sunday Mass before Harrison Hall will be Sunday, June 5th. Beginning Sunday, June 12th parish will broadcast our 9 am Mass on Facebook and our website www.olphparish.org as well as onto a screen outside the church entrance. Parishioners who desire to remain outdoor are invited to bring a chair to this outdoor location. An Extraordinary Minister will bring Communion to those seated outside at this location. For those worshipping at our 9 am Mass, we maintain both dedicated mask-only and mask-free sections for your preference.

  • Individual Unbound Ministry Prayer | June 11 – Many of us are fighting invisible battles with anxieties, negative thoughts, sins, unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, resentments, and bitter wounds that never seem to heal. You can reach out and experience God’s merciful love, healing, and freedom! Unbound Ministry Prayer releases the power of Jesus into wounded lives. On Saturday, June 11th, there will be trained teams available to provide individual prayer using the Unbound Model of prayer in Ellicott City, MD. Unbound Prayer is based on 5 scriptural keys that help you unlock those areas of your life where you want to receive greater freedom, healing & spiritual growth. If you would like to schedule an appointment or want more information, please contact Dan or Peggy Gahagan by Monday, June 6th, at unboundministrymaryland@gmail.com. We ask that you read at least the first 7 chapters of the book Unbound, by Neal Lozano prior to scheduling an appointment to receive Unbound prayer (available at www.Amazon.com OR www.heartofthefather.com).
  • Columbia Pregnancy Center Healing Group | June 4- Aug 6 – Columbia Pregnancy will be conducting a 10-week abortion healing group using Her Choice to Heal in a book club setting. We will meet every Saturday starting June 4th to Aug 6th from 10-12p. at the Columbia Pregnancy Center located at 8945 Guilford, Rd Suite 130, Columbia, MD.

Come Holy Spirit, and enrich Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish!

Rev. Michael S. Triplett