SALLTO Newsletter Sunday 5th June 2022

Pentecost Sunday Year C Sunday 5th June 2022

Lord, send forth your Spirit

and renew the face of the earth

Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

http://www.dioceseofmanzini.org/2019/06/06/reflection-for-pentecost-sunday-year-c/

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the The second reading reminds us of what it PENTECOST
descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and means to be a Christian. St. Paul speaks of
the disciples as well as the “birthday” of it as having the Spirit of Christ. An ancient This weekend, the Church celebrates
the new community of God’s people, the tradition tells us that Christians are called Pentecost, one of the most important feast
Church. Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit alter Christus, another Christ. St. Paul days of the year that concludes the Easter
can be counted the following: love, joy, speaks of this matter so boldly by saying season and celebrates the beginning of the
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, we have received the spirit of sonship with Church. Here’s what you need to know
trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. If God as our Father. What belongs to Christ about the feast day:
we practise these things we will be on the therefore is also ours. As children of God,
sure path of righteousness. we inherit all of God’s goods and the great- The timing and origins of Pentecost
est of these is God’s righteousness. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the
The feast of Pentecost has Jewish origins death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten
and was initially a harvest festival. Later, days after His Ascension into heaven.
it became a celebration of the gift of the Because Easter is a moveable feast without
law and the covenant with God at the foot a fixed date, and Pentecost depends on
of Mount Sinai. This experience of Israel the timing of Easter, Pentecost can fall
marks the beginnings of Israel as a nation anywhere between May 10 and June 13.
with its own laws and enjoying a relation- The timing of these feasts is also where
ship of love and trust with God. Pentecost Catholics get the concept of the Novena
is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Pass- - nine days of prayer - because in Acts 1,
over (Easter). Mary and the Apostles prayed together
“continuously” for nine days after the
The first reading recalls the fact of the The Gospel presents one of the final Ascension leading up to Pentecost.
descent of the Holy Spirit. The disciples, speeches that Jesus makes prior to His Traditionally, the Church prays the
together with Mary, are gathered in the passion and death. It is on the keeping of Novena to the Holy Spirit in the days be-
room and there is the rush of a mighty wind His commandments. Jesus’ commandment fore Pentecost. The name of the day itself
which fills the house. This rush of wind is “love one another as I have loved you”. is derived from the Greek word “pente-
subsequently has the appearance of tongues If we stay in love, then the Counsellor, the coste,” meaning 50th. There is a parallel
as of fire which rests on each of them. As Holy Spirit, whom the Father sends, teaches Jewish holiday, Shavu`ot, which falls 50
such we see a God who has come closer us all things, and brings to our remem- days after Passover. Shavu’ot is sometimes
and does not inspire fear. This gives them brance all that Jesus has taught us it speaks called the festival of weeks, referring to
special gifts. Paramount among these gifts of the great mighty works of God, the seven weeks since Passover.
is the ability to speak in tongues so that the especially His love for us. Originally a harvest feast, Shavu`ot now
message of Christ may be heard by people commemorates the sealing of the Old
of different nations. The message of Christ Whenever we celebrate Mass, we also Covenant on Mount Sinai, when the Lord
is the proclamation of the mighty works of remember God’s mighty works. This is not revealed the Torah to Moses on Mount
God. The first mighty work of God is that simply a memorial or remembrance of what Sinai. Every year, the Jewish people renew
God loves us. happened in the past. It is a realisation of their acceptance of the gift of the Torah
God’s plan for us as He destined us in love. on this feast.  
The message of the Responsorial Psalm is It is in the Mass that God becomes pres-
probably captured in the refrain: Lord, send ent and infuses upon us the Spirit of love.
forth your Spirit and renew the face of the May we be worthy recipients of this love
earth. As we celebrate the birthday of the and furthermore be worthy proclaimers of
Church, let us pray for a renewal of hearts, God’s mighty works.
especially of the members of the Church.

Sunday 5th June 2022 Year C Community Page 2

Brain Health

Michele Clavery
President, Alzheimer’s Association of
Trinidad and Tobago

ALZHEIMER’S But there is hope: research about a blessing. Your total being will
AND THE the disease is ongoing, and there become calm, a needed state for
is much that continues to be all who aspire to, or are thrust
JOURNEY TO written about Alzheimer’s and into the role of caregiver.
CARING WITH other dementias. In that regard, The love that caregivers bring
there is some light at the end of to care homes and persons for
LOVE the caregiver’s tunnel. That light whom they care, is one that is
serves to shine not only on the either natural or cultivated.
It can be a rewarding experience, one being cared for, and all that Whatever the approach to
caring for someone who can is needed to make life comfort- caring, seek to work on that
no longer care for himself/her- able for that person, but also on aspect of self that nourishes the
self. The reward lies less in the the caregiver themselves. love that is in all of us. It can be
warm feeling experienced when Benefits redound to both, and difficult caring for a grumpy,
caring for a loved one, than it the living becomes less sometimes accusatory, some-
does knowing that the humani- burdensome. times vicious soul. When that
ty, present in all of us even if in When the living (for both ‘soul’ is a parent or relative for
varying degrees has risen to the caregiver and the person being whom we feel little love, we be-
fore, presenting what is best in cared for) is laced with love, come resentful. When the per-
us. caring for becomes a matter of son is a stranger in a home, and
the heart. But even when the especially one who is violent,
Alzheimer’s disease is no love is but a mustard seed, in our love may dissipate. Resist the
respecter of persons, and it is all of us there is a measure of urge to be less than human. Let
cruel and insidious. The care- compassion that can serve to love loom large! That largesse
giver bears the brunt of the increase that love. would expose the ravages of the
challenges that accompany the There is no sugar-coating the disease instead of the actions of
disease and, more often than challenges of Alzheimer’s the one living with the disease.
not, is quite unprepared to cope disease and other dementias - As a caregiver, step aside
with the person who is living the pressure is real! However, regularly enough to take care of
with the disease. what I do know is this: when your own goodness, to feed that
focus is on humanity and goodness and love in you so that
benevolence; when faith and you may better attend to those
patience rise to the fore; and in your care. By so doing, the
when recognition hits, there but coping and the living would, in
for the grace of God go I, steady measure, result in
challenges take on a different decreased challenges.
shape. When that happens,
what was once a bane becomes

Sunday 5th June 2022 Year C In the Spirit Page 3

Hospitality Confirmation. So, let’s invite God to speak humanity that is found by believing in the
through us! person of Jesus Christ. Sent by the Spirit,
OUR CHRISTIAN Dear Jesus, we are Your disciples. Lead us, they will share their incredible experi-
RESPONSE guide us and teach us to show hospitality ence of faith in Christ, whose death and
to each other. May we grow in mind, body resurrection has restored for all people the
Hospitality is part of our universal call to and spirit. Help us to make kind choices opportunity of eternal union with God.
and take just actions. When there is sorrow, Pentecost is an explosion of the Spirit
evangelise; that is to share the good news help us to comfort. When there is anger, that affects the hearts of everyone open to
of salvation. Evangelisation happens most help us to bring peace. When there is joy, letting the loving power of God transform
powerfully within the context of relation- help us to celebrate wisely. When there is them into Apostles for the Kingdom of
ships and those relationships are built and success, help us to be grateful. God.
nurtured foremost in the parish. Therefore, We make this prayer in Your loving name. How am I currently aware of the Holy Spirit
an effective parish must be a welcoming Amen. moving in my own life? Do I sense the
parish, and a welcoming parish is an gentle nudging of God’s Spirit inviting
evangelising parish. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the me to open my heart more to allow God
Father will send in my name, will teach to guide me in my choices for my life’s
The Lord is present and active among His you everything and remind you of all that I direction? Prayer to the Holy Spirit is an
people, gifting them for works of ministry have said to you.” John 14: 25-26 important help to anyone discerning a
(Eph. 4). So, not only does the Parish have Jesus reassures His disciples that they vocation. Jesus invested Himself totally in
the people power, but it also has the Spirit will receive all they need to carry out the His disciples, and through the Spirit does
power. The Parish has all that it needs to mission to which He has entrusted them. the same for us today who are discerning
carry out the mission of evangelisation. Soon to be filled and transformed to the our way.
The critical challenge is to nurture and very depths of their being, they will step Blessing for Pentecost
form the community for that mission. out into the world, confident and unafraid This day, the Father of light has enlightened
to proclaim God’s salvation for all the minds of the disciples by the outpour-
Pentecost brings us the Holy Spirit, and ing of the Holy Spirit. God inspired speech
like the disciples, transforms us from fear in different tongues to proclaim one faith.
to confidence to proclaim the truth and love May He strengthen your faith and trust
of Jesus. This Pentecost, let us allow the as you continue to discern the vocational
Holy Spirit to speak through us because direction in life that will unite your deepest
our world desperately needs to hear God’s desire with the will of God for you. May He
voice. Remember, the power of the Holy bless you and give you the gifts of the Spirit
Spirit is within us, offering His gifts and forever. Amen.
fruits through our Baptism and
sccb.org

PENTECOST

Today we reach the finale of the Easter Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” The large passions we possess. We
crowd, gathered from all over the world, were experience the presence of the Holy Spirit
season with the celebration of the great Feast “amazed” and “astounded” that each one through them, and we are meant to put them
of Pentecost. Reflecting on today’s readings could understand the Apostles speaking in to work in grateful service of the Kingdom of
inspires a sense of awe as we consider the their own language. God. 
mighty power of the Holy Spirit at work giving    
birth to and sustaining our Church. Just as Each one of us, young and old alike, is person- When we consider the stewardship way of life
awesome the same Spirit is calling to us this ally called today by the Holy Spirit into the we are called to live, we often focus on the
day to take up our part in the Church’s saving same mission as that of the first Apostles to challenges it poses. Surrendering ourselves to
work. advance the Kingdom of God in our corner of God is indeed a challenging way to live. But
  the world. Just as He did on that Pentecost it leads to a life that is exciting, creative, and
In the first reading, from Acts, we see the day, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our “own deeply rewarding. Stewardship allows us to
creative genius of the Holy Spirit moving language” to give us the Good News of the experience life as a great adventure because it
through the newly confirmed Apostles, “who Gospel and urge us to share it. We can think is a life guided and directed by the very source
began to speak in different tongues as the of our own language as the gifts, talents, and of power and creativity the Holy Spirit!

Sunday 5th June 2022 Year C Weekly Notices Page 4

SCHEDULE - FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY (celebrated on Sunday 12 June 2022)

Triduum Daily Activities Daily Activities

DATE: Tuesday 7 to Thurs- Tuesday 7 June Wednesday 8 June
day 9 June TIME: 6:00pm
VENUE: Holy Trinity RC Church, VENUE: Our Lady of Lourdes, Tacarigua
VENUE: Holy Trinity RC Church, Arouca TIME: 6.00pm
Arouca Prayers and Litany to God the Father Mass/Service.
followed by - Mass/Service VENUE: Holy Trinity RC Church, Arouca
TIME: 7:00pm. Talk for the first day of the Triduum TIME: 6:45pm
Prayers and Litany to God the Son followed
PRESENTER: Rev. Dr. Arnold by talk for the second day of the Triduum
Francis

Daily Activities Daily Activities Daily Activities

Thursday 9 June Friday 10 June Saturday 11 June
Mass/Service will be celebrated
VENUE: Holy Trinity RC Church, VENUE: Holy Trinity RC as follows:
Arouca Church, Arouca Tacarigua - 5:30pm
TIME: 6:00pm TIME: 6:00pm Lopinot and Surrey - 6:00pm
Prayers and Litany to God the Holy Mass/Service Arouca - 7:00pm
Spirit followed by Mass/Service
then talk for the third day of the
Triduum

Sunday 12 June *There will be one Mass in the Parish at Holy Trinity RC Church,
Arouca at 8.00am* Note: There will be no evening mass.

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