Feast of Pentecost

  

Pentecost is considered the Birth Day of the Church.  With the Disciples of Christ around the world we pray today for the coming of the Holy Spirit to fill us, fill our Church, fill our world with the manifold gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Three Theological Virtues        Faith, Hope, and Love
Four Cardinal Virtues               Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and 

  Temperance

Seven Gifts of the Spirit           Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, 

  Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and

  Fear of the Lord

Twelve Fruits of the Spirit        Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, 

                                               Kindness,
                                               Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness,
                                               Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and

  Chastity

As it is told in the Acts of the Apostles …

On the Day of Pentecost (50 days after Easter) the Apostles and Followers of The Way were gathered together when suddenly there was a noise like a violent rushing wind and there appeared tongues of fire resting on each one and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues all understanding in their own language.

“Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout peoples from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”

Missionary Disciples throughout the world today are…

         filled with the Spirit,

                  and speak of the great things that God had done.

         afraid, but

                  the Lord is in our midst and says to us:

                  “Peace be with you, peace be with you.”

         set free,

                  letting the Lord breathed upon us and say to us:

                  “Receive the Spirit, receive the Spirit.”

         we are sent forth

                  to become bearers of Christ’s reconciling love

                  many the gifts of the Spirit given…

Litany of the Holy Spirit

Dan Schutte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp0vQdAju8Y

During the day, join the Church praying this Pentecost Sequence as we gather around the world and are filled with the Promised Advocate, the Spirit of God

              Come, Holy Spirit, come!

            And from your celestial home

              Shed a ray of light divine!

            Come, Father of the poor!

 Come, source of all our store!

    Come, within our bosoms shine.

 You, of comforters the best;

 You, the soul’s most welcome guest;

    Sweet refreshment here below;

 In our labor, rest most sweet;

 Grateful coolness in the heat;

    Solace in the midst of woe.

 O most blessed Light divine,

 Shine within these hearts of yours,

    And our inmost being fill!

 Where you are not, we have naught,

 Nothing good in deed or thought,

    Nothing free from taint of ill.

 Heal our wounds, our strength renew;

 On our dryness pour your dew;

    Wash the stains of guilt away;

 Bend the stubborn heart and will;

 Melt the frozen, warm the chill;

    Guide the steps that go astray.

 On the faithful, who adore

                   And confess you, evermore

                      In your sevenfold gift descend;

                   Give them virtue’s sure reward;

                   Give them your salvation, Lord;

                      Give them joys that never end.

                     Amen.  Alleluia!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3gO6qDLNA

This year’s Earth Day Theme is a focus on the

plastics crisis, its impacts, and how we are called to respond and heal what Pope Francis calls “our throwaway culture.”

 

Over the past 50 years, world plastic production has doubled. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the production of plastic products accounts for a 4-8 percent of

global oil production. A 2023 report from Pacific Environment  called for a 75 percent reduction in plastic production by 2050 to avoid a disastrous increase in global temperatures. We must deal with the

plastic crisis if we are to control the climate crisis, to improve the health of our air and oceans, and to protect the earth’s biodiversity and human health. 

Let's begin with a prayer.

LEADER: Today, we face a creation longing to both be healed and be praised!

 All: We gather today to praise God.

L: Our earth is precious and is in need of gentleness and kindness as we face pollution and climate

change.

 All: We pray for all of creation: the sky, land, sea, and all living creatures.

L: We pray that God grants us the wisdom and ability to protect all our brothers and sisters, and all

ecosystems and natural habitats, freeing them from harm and inhumane actions.

 All: We will protect the earth from plastic pollution, keeping the earth in God’s loving care.

L: We are created for relationships: with God, with one another, and with the earth.

 All: Let us honor those relationships today and every day.

L: We seek to care for our common home, the earth, to heal rather than wound, to treasure rather than

discard.

 All: Let us understand that all creation is connected and in need of healing.

L: God of providence, transform us, that we may place the welfare of our common home and your

people before our fleeting desires.

 All: Grant us divine wisdom and embolden us to replace systems of destruction and wasteful

consumption with systems of justice and sustainability.

L: May we commit to new ways of honoring God’s creation as a means of sharing Jesus’ transforming

Love.

 All: And let us seek God’s grace, justice, and mercy for all.

(Prayer adapted from Season of Creation Morning Prayer, “A Culture of Relationships That Heals Our Throwaway Culture” (World Council of Churches), and Plastic Free July Prayer

 (St. Columban Mission Society)

Reflection Questions

1. Where have you personally seen the impact of plastics in your    community and/or in your life?
2. How is the plastic crisis a symptom of our “throwaway culture?”
3. How are the impacts of plastic production and pollution a justice issue? How are they a pro-life issue?
4. How are we, as Catholics, called to counter the “culture of waste and disposables,” to “promote a culture of solidarity and encounter,” and to heal the plastic crisis? Think back to the actions you jotted down earlier!
5. Make a personal and family/community commitment(s):

Some Commitment Ideas

1. Watch the Video on Plastics Pollution                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euSqO5tW6aY
2. Purchasing decisions that reduce plastics:
3. Reuse and give plastic packaging a new purpose. If you must buy a plastic  bottle or a plastic container, reuse it instead of throwing it away.
4. Recycle plastics correctly. Look at the labels: #1 and #2 plastics are almost always recyclable, while #6 plastics aren’t always accepted. Check with your local municipality to see what is locally accepted for recycling.
5. Share the Plastic Pollution Treaty Petition with friends, family, and community members.
6. Participate as a community (parish, school, religious community, etc.) in Plastic Free July .
7. Coffee cups: If your church, school, or organization serves coffee, encourage everyone to start bringing their own non-disposable cups. Have a “mug drive” and encourage everyone to donate one of their extras. Setting out the mugs on the table next to the coffee pot is an excellent way to reduce paper and plastic waste.
8. Plan a beach, stream, or park cleanup.
9. Think about alternatives to plastic dinnerware (cups, plates, knives, spoons, and forks) and disposable plastic bottles. Find biodegradable or reusable/washable substitutes.
10. Join the Catholic Climate Covenant                          https://catholicclimatecovenant.org

         And take the Laudate Deum Pledge
   https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/my-laudate-deum-action-pledge/

 Alleluia!  Christ Is Risen!  Alleluia!

The Empty Tomb

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also *came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

Rejoice, O Earth, In Shining Splendor!

Easter Proclamation of Creation’s Joy

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!

Jesus Christ, our light, risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,

Radiant in the brightness of your Sovereign!

Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Night vanishes forever!

 

Rejoice, O servant church! Exult in glory!

The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy,

Echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!

This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death

and rose triumphant from the grave.

Therefore, gracious Creator, In the joy of this night,

Receive our evening sacrifice of praise, Your church’s solemn  offering.

Accept this Easter candle,

A flame divided but undimmed,

A pillar of fire that glows to your honor, O God.

For it is fed by the melting wax, which  he mother bee brought  forth

to make this precious candle.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning

To dispel the shadows of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning:

Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead

And shed your peaceful light on all creation,

Your only begotten one who lives and reigns forever.               AMEN.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Wish You A

Blessed and Joyous Easter

Silent  Waiting

Tomb of Jesus Christ

In this in-between-time of waiting let us spend this day in quiet reflection and pray with the Catechumens awaiting the Easter Vigil and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ.  

The Burial of Jesus  Luke 23: 50 -56

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment. 

Intercessions and closing prayer from the Church’s Evening Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday. 

We Pray…

Jesus, son of God, come to set us free, lies bound in the earth. All who hoped in him await a new day, and so we pray:

O Christ, deliver us.

Jesus, you died to set us free;

- give true freedom to those bound because of race, sex, creed, or way of life.

You died that we might have life to the full;

- inspire and encourage women in their quest for equality.

You died revealing God's love for us;

- enlighten those who have no love for themselves; befriend and heal them.

You died leaving your mother in the care of another;

- bless those who leave all to serve you in their respective ways of life; encourage and comfort their families.

Death released you from the agony of the cross;

- be present to all who are ill; have pity on the elderly and the dying.

 

(add your own personal intercessions)  

Concluding Prayer

O God, by his life and his death on the cross, Jesus has revealed the depth of your love for us.  One in our flesh, he became one in our dying and burial.  Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and once again call us to life that we may be one with him in his resurrection.  This we ask through Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.  AMEN.

Reflect with these Resources

Song At The Empty Tomb

Marty Haugen

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rJc8eJuKJQ

Sacred Triduum Days Good Friday

Passion and Death of  Jesus Christ

“Into your hands I commend my spirit”

Reading of the Passion

Judas Betrays Jesus

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

Jesus before the Priests

So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

The Crown of Thorns

Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and  said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”

The Crucifixion

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.

They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 

Care of the Body of Jesus

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

At The Cross Her Station Keeping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC8scbOGsHo

Holy Week Triduum - Holy Thursday

O God, who have called us to participate

In the most sacred Supper, 

In which your Only Begotten Son, 

When about to hand himself over to death,

Entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,

The banquet of his love,

Grant we pray,

That we may draw from so great a mystery,

The fullness of charity and of live.

Washing of The Feet

So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.  He took a towel and tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.  Her came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered him, “unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” 

So when he has washed their fee and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?  You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master’, and rightly so, for indeed I am.  If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”       -John13 1-15

The First Eucharist

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

-Luke 22:19-20

The Last Supper Liturgy ends with a Process of the Blessed Sacrament and the singing of the ‘Pange Lingua’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXOnbSMAZz8

Lent Week 6

 

Use the power of your imagination to pray 

with this scene of Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem.

Walk along beside Jesus. Walk along in the crowd.

Gaze at the people surrounding you and welcoming Jesus.

Savor the experience of being with Jesus at this moment 

on his journey to Jerusalem.

Return often to this Gospel scene.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

The Disciples GO … they did as Jesus had ordered them.

An ass and colt were brought to him

and they laid their cloaks over them,

and he sat upon them.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road; 

The crowds precede him and follow him.

They cry out saying:

 “Hosanna to the Son of David;

blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; 

Hosanna in the highest.”

The whole city, all of Jerusalem, was shaken and asked,

“Who is this?”

The people replied, You reply,

“This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Encounter Jesus

Where are you in the crowd?

Who and What do you See?   Hear?   Touch?

Mantra Prayer

Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it,

Your will be done!

The Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

Passiontide Begins

March 19th Feast of St. Joseph

 Protector and Patron of The Universal Church

Congratulations and Happy Feast Day 

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

As Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Letter, ‘Patris Corde’, St. Joseph is described as having a ‘Father’s Heart’. 

“Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, 

a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.”

On this feast of St. Joseph, Protector and Patron of the Universal Church and Patron of our Missionary Congregation, we pray that we too may ‘go to Joseph’ in our need and that like him we may live the qualities of this man …

  

St. Joseph, pray for us

 May we be like you…

Attentive

Accepting

Creative

Courageous 

Protector

Compassionate

Dreamer

Obedient

Faithful

Worker

Just

Hidden

At God’s Service

Beloved Father

Tender and Loving          AMEN.

Blessing

  

May the blessings of Joseph be among us 

attuning us to God’s will each day

attuning us with humility to those around us

attuning us to God’s transformative dream for us.

May the blessings of Joseph be among us

living as obedient daughters

living love for one another in communities

living God’s Will and hospitality even in difficult circumstances.

May the blessings of Joseph be among us

still opening us to the future

still cooperating in discerning ministries for mission

still keeping us alive with love from daybreak to daybreak

May the blessings of Joseph steep our souls and give us great joy! 

Amen.

Join Us In Praying

Memorare Prayer of St. Joseph

  

Remember, O most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, my kind

and powerful Protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to Your protection or implored your aid, without obtaining relief.  Confiding therefore in your goodness, we come to you, and humbly implore you.  Despise not our petitions, O Foster-Father of the Redeemer, but graciously hear and grant them.  Amen.

  

St. Joseph, our Protector, Pray For Us

Learn more about the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Cluny Sisters Congregational Website

www.sj-cluny.org

Province of USA & Canada Website

www.clunyUSandCanada.org

Lent Week V

 Death  to  Resurrection

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, 

it remains just a grain of wheat;

 but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

- John 12:20-33

 

As you take a stroll through the fields of your life during this fifth week of lent, take stock of your Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and goods works.  God molds the grains of these actions to produce a rich harvest and bring salvation to the world.

  

Listen      To today’s Gospel from Saint John

“Whoever serves me must follow me, 

and where I am, there also will my servant be.   

-John 12:20-33

Practice       Letting go of myself to reveal God’s Presence in the world.

Follow Jesus 

Follow your Lenten Practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Make Bread

Pray             Psalm 51   The Miserere Prayer of Repentance

  

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.

Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. 

Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes

So that you are just in your word, and without reproach in your judgment. 

Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. 

Behold, you desire true sincerity; and secretly you teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; 

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. 

Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy spirit. 

Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit.

I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.

Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,

and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice. 

Lord, you will open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;

a burnt offering you would not accept. 

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;

build up the walls of Jerusalem. 

Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,

burnt offering and whole offerings;

then they will offer up young bulls on your altar

Psalm 51  Create In Me a Clean Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7gaPcP9sz4