Just a typical busy Sunday . . .

Goodness me, what a lot of things have been happening in the parish today.  It's wonderful to have such an active parish; there always seems to be something special taking place.

At the 10 O'clock Mass this morning, the second and final group of our children made their First Holy Communion.  I think they were every bit as pleased as last week's group and once more we had a wonderful, joyful celebration.

Their families and catechists have every reason to be very proud of them all.

A  few of our parishioners went off on the monthly parish ramble after the Mass and some even managed to arrive back just in time for our May Rosary and Benediction.

What a view! 

Things didn't get any quieter later on in the day either. After our 6pm Mass our newly-Confirmed met in the parish hall for a celebration social and to think about how they can build on this past year's preparation course, continue to learn more about their faith and now take a more active part in parish life.

  

That cake looks very tempting!

Not forgetting of course that today we celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit certainly seems to be very active in St Ann's parish.  Thanks be to God.

Come Holy Spirit,

 fill the hearts of your faithful 

and kindle in them the fire of your love. 

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. 

And You shall renew the face of the earth. 

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, 

didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, 

grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise 

and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Veni Creator Spiritus . . .

'When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all gathered in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.' (Acts 2:1-2)

In Sacred Scripture 'fire' appears as love which penetrates everything as a purifying agent. Fire too produces light and signifies the new brightness which the Holy Spirit brings.

The coming of the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost day was not a one-off unrelated event in the Church's life; the Holy Spirit sanctifies the Church continually.

In the Old Testament the action of the Holy Spirit is often referred to as 'breath'. This expresses the gentleness and strength of divine love; wind we know, manages to penetrate everywhere.

The wind of the day of Pentecost expresses the new force with which divine love permeates the Church.

Since we decide to have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, there is nothing so effective and necessary as a close relationship with Our Blessed Lady.

'The Apostles, with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.'

We pray on this Day of Pentecost,

'Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.'