Celebrating Pentecost at Home

On May 31 we will celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church. Our Paschal Season journey that began on Ash Wednesday is about to end, but the journey has been far different than any of us could have imagined. We have experienced a change in perspective relative to suffering, self-sacrifice, and community, and have witnessed Love First and Always in action. Now, at Pentecost, we are called to go forth, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The mission of salvation takes on a new life as the Spirit fills us with the gifts needed to be Christ for the world in these trying times. 

We are the Church whose birthday we celebrate today. To follow Christ, to be Christ, is the essence of Christianity; it is the meaning of Pentecost. We have been outside the walls of our church building for many weeks. And even though we all look forward to the day we can return to our beloved Holy Family church building, hopefully, this period of “exile” has helped us to recognize the importance of our domestic Church, our many holy families, and of being church for others by healing, serving, reconciling, and loving. 

Since we won’t be able to be together this Pentecost, please help us celebrate this special birthday by gathering your “holy family” together for a photograph. Dress in red, make a decorated sign reading “Happy Birthday, Church!”, hold red balloons and/or red and yellow streamers; be creative. Send those photos to parishmedia@holyfamilyparish.org no later than Friday, May 22.

On Sunday, May 31, tie red and yellow ribbons around tree limbs, or tie red and yellow balloons to your mailbox, allowing them to blow in the breeze, recalling the power of the Holy Spirit coming like a strong driving wind. Fly a kit. Make a cake to celebrate the birth of the Church. Red icing and candles serve as great reminders of the Spirit coming as individual flames on each of the disciples. Make a banner, draw some pictures, or find another way to express the day artistically. Post your creations around your home as reminders of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Church. Again, be creative!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHURCH!