For a printable prayer resource for the Feast of Pentecost, click here.

Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13, John 20:19-23

God’s breath – the Holy Spirit – gives us true life and peace.

Question and Saint of the Week

Question for Children: Jesus tells us that we need to forgive to have peace. Name one way that you can forgive a friend or classmate.

Question for Youth: St. Paul tells us that we all have unique gifts for the good of others. What is special about you? How can you use those gifts to help others – friends, family, strangers?

Question for Adults: Even as working disciples of Christ, we are given the gift of peace. How do you experience this gift, and how do you share it with others?

Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, Virgin

From an early age Caterina loved prayer and practiced penance. She also performed works of charity for the poor. She developed a love for the Blessed Sacrament. She received her First Communion at the age of ten and was sent to a convent at the age of fourteen and entered the Carmelite convent of Santa Maria deali Angeli in 1582. She took the name Maria Maddalena (Mary Magdalen). She became quite ill, took final vows, experienced forty consecutive days of ecstasies, then a miraculous cure. She carried on with her duties, but suffered from terrible depression. She proposed a renovation of the Church by way of letters to the pope, cardinals, and bishops. She died of consumption after suffering physical and spiritual pain.

 

Family Connection

Gospel Reading – John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. The Gospel for Pentecost reminds us that the Church begins with the command to forgive. Within the family, the domestic Church, we learn how to forgive and we learn to accept forgiveness. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do both. Today is a fitting time to share a family celebration of reconciliation.

As you gather together as a family, sit quietly for a few minutes, inviting all to reflect upon their need to forgive and to receive forgiveness. If there is a situation or issue within the family that needs attention, spend some time reflecting upon the concern and how your family might address it. Read together today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23. Talk together about how Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us in the work of forgiveness and to bring us peace. Pray together today’s psalm, or the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking that the Holy Spirit help your family. Share with one another the sign of peace.

 

For a printable prayer resource for the Feast of the Ascension, click here.

For a printable prayer resource for the Sixth Week of Easter, click here.

For a printable prayer resource for the Fifth Week of Easter, click here.

For a printable prayer resource for the Fourth Week of Easter, click here

For a printable prayer resource for the Third Week of Easter, click here

For a printable prayer resource for the Second Week of Easter, click here

For a printable prayer resource for Easter Sunday, click here